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<\/a><\/p>\nFour New Ken Okutsu Alto\u00a0Saxophone Mouthpieces<\/strong><\/p>\n Here is the description and features from the\u00a0Okutsu\u00a0website<\/a>:<\/em><\/p>\n Ken Okutsu Focus Core Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece<\/strong><\/p>\n The Okutsu mouthpieces are hard rubber and come in a protective plastic case. \u00a0Within the case they are wrapped in a black velvet bag. \u00a0I received four\u00a0alto saxophone mouthpieces from Mr. Okutsu. \u00a0The alto\u00a0mouthpieces are the Traditional model, the Traditional II model, the\u00a0Focus Core model and the High Baffle\u00a0model. \u00a0I kind of like how simplistic and straight forward the model names are. \u00a0 The Traditional model looks to be the darkest of the four, then the Traditional II looks to have a slightly higher rollover baffle. \u00a0The Focus Core has an even higher baffle and the chamber is much smaller. Finally, the High Baffle model has the highest baffle as the name implies although the chamber is bigger than than the Focus Core model.<\/p>\n The mouthpieces look good to my eye. \u00a0The hard rubber is shiny and without any imperfections. The gold engraving is neat and clean. \u00a0The rails, tip rail, table and baffle look very well crafted and even. (Although you can see a scratch on the table in the picture below, I do not think the mouthpiece was shipped this way…….my wife decided to clean up my office one day when I was gone and put a bunch of my mouthpiece in a desk drawer. \u00a0This was one of the casualties I believe…….)<\/p>\n Ken Okutsu Focus Core Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece<\/strong><\/p>\n The Focus Core model looks to have a very small chamber on it. \u00a0 The baffle is much\u00a0higher than the Traditional II \u00a0and Traditional models. \u00a0The baffle is long and is still pretty high even when it gets to the chamber opening. \u00a0This makes the\u00a0floor of the chamber much higher than on the Traditional and Traditional II which \u00a0I believe is what gives this mouthpiece that “focused core” sound that the name describes. As I look at the mouthpiece from the bore side the chamber opening looks even smaller than a Selmer Soloist which has one of the smaller chamber openings out there.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ken Okutsu Focus Core Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece<\/strong><\/p>\n I thought the Ken Okutsu Focus Core\u00a0alto\u00a0sax mouthpiece played great with a Rigotti Gold 3 Light reed. I found that it had a little more resistance than the Traditional and Traditional II but I believe that is from the smaller chamber opening. I think the smaller chamber opening squeezes the air stream down into a tight core and gives this mouthpiece more volume, brightness and core sound because of it. Due to the smaller chamber opening there is an added resistance as your air fights to get through the chamber I think. \u00a0I don’t think this is a bad thing though since this mouthpiece takes plenty of air and gets super loud. \u00a0It just feels like you are blowing against something a little more substantial than the Traditional model or Traditional II model.<\/p>\n Ken Okutsu Focus Core Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece<\/strong><\/p>\n The Ken Okutsu Focus Core\u00a0Alto\u00a0Saxophone Mouthpiece was great\u00a0to play. \u00a0This is a great\u00a0mouthpiece for players who want\u00a0a brighter focused tone that can cut\u00a0through the mix. \u00a0There is loads of power in this mouthpiece. \u00a0I kept the sound clip a bit tame because I didn’t want to peak the \u00a0recording levels but this piece can really be powerful and knock down some walls if played full force! This is a great mouthpiece for those who want to go in that Sanborn direction but still be able to ease out of that sound when needed.<\/p>\n If you like the sound of the clip below and the mouthpiece catches your interest then please contact Ken Okutsu\u00a0and give it a try. You can contact Mr. Okutsu\u00a0at his website at Okutsumouthpieces.com<\/a>. Tell him Steve sent you………….Great work Mr. Okutsu!!<\/p>\n Let me know what you think in the comments below. Thanks, Steve<\/p>\nFeatures<\/em><\/h1>\n
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