Sax Mouthpieces

Here are a few of the mouthpieces we have to offer. We make a point of pursuing the most rare and hard to find mouthpieces... so,

if we seem to have a lot of hard to find models, it's not because they aren't rare, it's because we try hard to stock them.

Since no one can know if a mouthpiece is right for you, until you play it, these can be ordered, by charge card at pay pal, or checks,

given a three day trial and returned, if you aren't happy with them (except e-bay sales, as auctions are final.) and a small shipping

I get a lot of questions about my old friend Bob Carpenter... No he doesn't work for me, he has a very successful business of his

own, customizing, repairing and in many cases resurrecting vintage mouthpieces... when he's not playing music all around the N.W.

Bob got a lot of mouthpiece refacers started, such as Theo Wanne, who in turn, got others started later... but no one does nicer

work than Bob. I've personally had work done by every Pro mouthpiece technician in the biz and i think Bob does the best work

out there. He's a busy man and always in demand, but if you need mouthpiece work, i can pass your number on to him. Nope, he

doesn't do email and his phone # is limited to friends. Here is the skinny on Bob:

Bob Carpenter Mouthpiece Refacing:

Veteran mouthpiece technician, Bob Carpenter, has been repairing and refacing mouthpieces for over 15 years and provided

mouthpieces for a major portion of the professional sax players in the Northwest and well known players in other areas.

Bob has tracked and plotted the facing curves on hundreds of new and vintage mouthpieces from the top manufacturers as well

as the refacing curves of many expert technicians. He measures the facing curves in 12 places instead of the usual 5 or 6 and

plots these on charts for comparison and play testing by himself and other professional players.

Bob's concepts on mouthpiece refacing are outlined below:

* The mouthpiece table must be flat at the curve take off point to provide a positive reed seal.

* The facing length and curve must match the desired tip opening for the best response and playability.

* Substantial changes in the sound and response can be made by working with baffles, chamber reshaping , wedges, etc.

But, first and foremost is the shape and length of the facing curve.

* The workmanship should look professional and match that of the top vintage manufacturers.

A professionally custom refaced mouthpiece will almost always play better than a factory facing.

12-29-09: This should be fun, here are a couple ALTO mouthpiece comparisons, on a 5 digit mk vi.

Robert A Carpenter Tenor: Here is a White composite plastic mouthpiece and it's very nice. We got it with its original tip and Bob Carpenter opened it up to a .095" with a 22mm facing... and it is easy to blow, makes a big vintage tone, with just a little edge. It's a large chamber, fat sound, only one or two little bite marks on the top, with a great price. 129.00.

Leo Cooper Tenor: Here is a Tonalin style composite mouthpiece from Leo Cooper, of Detroit, Mich. and i have to say, nice job Leo. We got it with it's original tip and Bob Carpenter opened it up to a .095" with a 23mm facing, one or two little bite marks on the top... and it is outstanding, with a rich, warm sound, large chamber, it's very nice, with a great price. 149.00.

Brillhart Hard Rubber #3* Tenor: These are one of the best Hard Rubber Mouthpieces ever made. We got it as an original #3* tip and Bob Carpenter opened it up to a .100" with a 23mm facing... which basically means it blows perfect now. It has a Nice big sound, medium tone, not too dark, not too bright, i own one of of these myself, It's "best of" material! It looks like new, but was most likely made in the mid 50's, serial number 183475. Considering Bob's beautiful reface, the price is going to be 449.00. It will probably sell quickly, as i have seen them sell at ebay for 599.00.

Conn Baritone: (On Consignment from Chadd Berry) Recently back from a refacing by Bob Carpenter to a .110". A great hard rubber mouthpiece that will give you a very big sound. Probably from the early conn wonder or Chu era. A large chamber on this one. $299.00 on hold

Steve Broadus N.Y. "Perfected" hard rubber Tenor: This is the real deal. Real smooth & rich tone, large chamber S4* model. Bob Carpenter just opened this one up to a easy blowing .097" with a 22mm facing length. There are hard to find and i love them. 325.00

HOLTON SILVALAY "C Melody Alto": These are cast metal then encased in hard rubber, which made an amazingly warm, but powerful. Bob Carpenter has just refaced it to a .086" and it's ready to go for 189.00

Martin Plastic Alto, 1959: Not expensive, really nice sound. Bob Carpenter has just refaced it to a 72" and it's ready to go for 139.00

Pan Am (Conn) Alto: Recently back from a refacing by Bob Carpenter to a .072". A great hard rubber mouthpiece that will give you a warm full sound. A large chamber on this one. $139.00

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Brilhart Level Air Vintage Tenor: (On Consignment from Chadd Berry) This is a vintage stainless steel mouthpiece with an original 9* measuring an original facing of .117". Chamber is rather large after it drops off from the shelf-baffle. It is a 4-digit early piece--#5646--probably early 60s. The serial #s started with 4 digits and went to 6 digits later. Reads: "Designed by Arnold Brilhart". It plays nice. It has a big, warm tone...don't let the "metal" fool you. But the big tip offers you big volume abilities. This just came back from Bob Carpenter who repaired the tooth pad only. These were notorious for getting teeth grooves. He filled in the groove with harder material and left a piece of industrial tape across the top (your choice whether to leave it on our not). $250.00

Berg Larsen Vintage hard rubber Tenor: This is an original 105-2- with the M offset to the right. This is the real deal. Real fat tone, it's the scoop bill + bullet chamber model. It's totally original everywhere, the facing is original and right at 105", plays nice, has a fat tone. 399.00 On Hold

Brillhart "Prototype" Tenor mpc: Very strong sounding original mouthpiece that i'll call a Tranny, as it's between the Satin "Velver Brass" model and the Level-air. Heavy Nickle plating, over brass. Bob Carpenter customized the tip to a .107" (usually a 95.00 job for work through ultra hard Nickle) and it sounds and plays beautifully 345.00 on hold

Buffet SDA Hard Rubber Tenor: From a Super-DynAction. Hard Rubber mouthpiece from the early 60's, in terrific, original condition. Marked C2Good for legit or orchestra work would do great on swing too, very smooth. 149.00

Berg Larsen Vintage hard rubber Tenor: This is an original 110-2- 0 with the M centered. Real fat tone, it's the scoop bill + bullet chamber model. So I had the tip redone by Bob Carpenter, who also make a custom band because there was a crack on the shank we didn't want to get worse, it's fixed permanently now. The facing is original right at 110", plays nice, has a fat tone. 199.00