The Bass Saxophone Mouthpiece Project

After making a few good bass saxophone mouthpieces it is time to determine the optimal bass saxophone parameters for each player and saxophone.
This (international) project will be done by experienced bass saxophone players that will test a series of mouthpieces, the testset. Each mouthpiece in the set that have specific variation in the most essential parameters.
The testing will be some kind of relay. You test, report your experience and pass the test on to the next participant. So when you are interested to join please let me know.We start the design of the test set by measuring the parameters of some bass saxophone mouthpieces.
They appeared to have a bit surprising parameters. On had a very steep table angle (7.5 degrees) and both a very steep beak angle and a very long baffle. another one a very low beak angle and also a long baffle.
Based on our experience with other mouthpieces and these vaules we define the range for most important parameters.They are shown in the figure below:

• the table angle varies from 5 to 7 degrees and in fact defines how close the tipopening comes to the centre of the bore.
• the beak angle varies from 23 to 27 degrees and has large effect on the ease of playing and the tone
• the throat and the side walls are in general rounded. The throat can be narrowed to about 70% which will be equivalent to the narrowing of the neck
• the chamber will be extended on a few types and the bore will be shifted towards the to to achieve a real large chamber volume
• the standard baffle is 4mm long and about 33% of the tip to beak angel and will be varied from 4 to 24mm to experience the effect of that.

The next figure illustrates some of the differences of the first test set that is made

The table explains the different mouthpieces in the first set

All mouthpieces have the same facing and tip opening (about 2.9mm and 28mm) but any tip and facing can be made.

• Set F, B, G, H and I is to determine the effect of the beak angle.
• Set B,D and E is to determine the effect of the table angle.
• Set B, J,K and L is to determine the effect of the baffle length.
• Set B. M, N is to determine the effect of the throat
• Set A, B, C is to determine the effect of the chamber volume.

The table width is 19.7 at the tip and often wider at the mid of the table.
The idea is that as well bass saxophone reeds and baritone reeds are possible. I hope that is the case.
The window is quite wide at the tip with 17.5mm. All mouthpieces in this set have a tip opening of about 2.9mm and a facing length of 28 mm..

Suggestions for other design choices are welcome and can be fillein

When you like them you can order a mouthpiece with you favourite parameters (including tip opening and facing length). Just contact me. The price during the test period will be only 210 euro.

Participants can copy the form below in an email me at the info mailbox of this website.