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<\/a><\/p>\nFour New Ken Okutsu Alto\u00a0Saxophone Mouthpieces<\/strong><\/p>\n Here is the description and features of the High Baffle alto mouthpiece from the\u00a0Okutsu\u00a0website<\/a>:<\/em><\/p>\n Ken Okutsu High Baffle\u00a0Alto 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 mouthpiece looks great 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.<\/p>\n Ken Okutsu\u00a0High Baffle<\/strong> Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece<\/strong><\/p>\n The High Baffle\u00a0model’s tip opening was a little larger than the other three Okutsu alto mouthpieces which all had a 6 tip opening (.075). \u00a0I used the same Rigotti Gold 3 Light reed \u00a0that I used on the other Okutsu alto mouthpiece reviews. \u00a0The reed felt slightly harder because of the larger tip opening but it still played easily. \u00a0I usually stay away from high baffle alto mouthpieces as the tone tends to get too bright and edgy for my tastes but\u00a0I don’t mind a brighter sound if\u00a0it is coupled with a fat big sound like Cannonball Adderley’s sound.<\/p>\n Many times,\u00a0\u00a0alto player’s email me asking for my suggestions for a great “lead alto” mouthpiece. \u00a0 My suggestion is to find a mouthpiece that gives you the power and brightness you want but is still fat and full sounding. \u00a0Ideally, \u00a0you want a mouthpiece that can scream in a big band setting but can still play in a small combo setting as well. \u00a0Many time those high baffle “pea-shotter” type mouthpieces will be too edgy, loud and bright for a small group setting and in my opinion many times are too much for the balance and mix of a big band sound also. \u00a0The key is to try some of these pieces and find a piece that\u00a0can do the job but is also versatile. \u00a0I say all this because I think the Ken Okutsu Traditional II, Focus Core and the the High Baffle models are good piece for that type of playing.<\/p>\n The Traditional II is like a brighter more powerful Meyer type sound.<\/p>\n The Focus Core is a brighter, edgier, focused, powerful sound. \u00a0Not as fat as the Traditional II but more focused and powerful.<\/p>\n The High Baffle model is a mix of the Traditional II and the Focus Core. \u00a0I think it can be as\u00a0bright and edgy as the Focus Core but the tone is a bit fatter and fuller to my ears. \u00a0It is still very focused because of the high baffle but the big chamber spreads out the sound a little. \u00a0The Focus Core has a high baffle but small chamber which compresses the sound into a “laser beam” core of sound. \u00a0 That’s how I can best compare and describe those 3 models……….<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ken Okutsu\u00a0High Baffle<\/strong> Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece<\/strong><\/p>\n The Ken Okutsu High Baffle model had a brighter tone as was expected. \u00a0It had a very immediate in your face kind of sound,\u00a0 direct and focused.\u00a0In\u00a0my opinion it leans\u00a0more to a bright Meyer sound than an edgy Dukoff sound, probably because of the large chamber. \u00a0You can hear in the recording when I blow harder it does get a bit edgier and more aggressive in a Sanborn type of way \u00a0but\u00a0I could also lay back and ease off on the edge when wanted.<\/p>\n The intonation was very good on my Selmer Reference alto saxophone.<\/p>\n I talked above about “lead ” alto mouthpieces and I think this would be a nice choice although it does lean a bit towards the edgy side of\u00a0an alto tone. \u00a0That being said, I also tried some different reeds on it which were not as edgy for me like a Woodstone 3 1\/2 and a Rico Select Jazz 3S which both played darker\u00a0for me.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ken Okutsu\u00a0High Baffle<\/strong> Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece<\/strong><\/p>\n The Ken Okutsu High Baffle\u00a0Alto\u00a0Saxophone Mouthpiece was great\u00a0to play. \u00a0This is another\u00a0great\u00a0mouthpiece for players who want the power and brightness to cut through in a band setting. \u00a0Lay into it to get a Sanborn type of sound or lay back to play some bright bebop lines. \u00a0You can listen to the sound clip yourself and decide if you like it for yourself…………..<\/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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