The Theo Wanne Gaia 2 was just great from the first note you played. Just ordered my 100 NY Meyer. Can't wait to try it out as it's my first mouth peace I'm purchasing and it's a 6 as well. Thanx for the video. Most helpful

I love your videos and it's a joy to listen to you play. Solid, unbiased info, well presented. Thank you Jay!

I agree with your assessment. The last mouthpiece is the best

Waited two years to pick up my Rift (for cheap!) and it was WELL WORTH the wait and every penny and then some. Thank you!

Fantastic demo ….. Always wanted to hear an a/b test on mouthpeices to see if I could really notice a difference. Thanks for taking the time to create this along with your other vids …. Just got my alto back from four years in storage in Northern Cal …. I started making … playing.... teaching Native American style flutes for about 12+ years …. and the saxophone got put on mouthballs for awhile... … now I am finding that I can now play the sax better since I made all the flutes in the minor pentatonic scales … I think I somehow learned to do more with less ... as in only 5 notes …. by learning to add more articulation …. Thanks for all your greatly appreciated info you share on the sax … I learned a lot tonight while binge watching as much as I can tonight ….and anxious to start watching in the daytime when I can actually play along …. as it is too late for sax playing at this time …. … which brings me to "Mutes" for sax …. do you have info on how to make one or use one or where to get one ….Does it make it harder to play …. any special adjustments needed to use one …..Or can I just as my brother would often yell at me … "Put a Sock in it" !!! Would that work ? I may be able to practice later into the evenings ….. Thanks for being you.... Bongo Dave - Good Happens / Love Shall Prevail

Great video. Very informative. I've had a Phil-Tone Rift 7 for several years. it's a killer mpc., my favorite. Phil does such a great job, I have 2 of his HR Tenor mpcs as well. I just purchased a 100 anniversary Meyer 7. I've had a Meyer 6M for many years but this new model just blows that old Meyer away, I can play it mellow but I can also turn up the heat and it will cut through but maintain a full sound. It doesn't get thin when pushed. But personally my favorite Alto mpc is the Rift. Right now I'm using the new Meyer for teaching and the Rift for gigging.

I play for a long time Drake NY Jazz 7 I just bought used Phil-Tone Rift 7 inspired by your video and I am really happy with this piece. It is so much fun to play it. I can't say now which of those two I prefer but both are great pieces. Thanks for your video!

Phil tone was the best. Nice tone and open yet centered sound with beautiful color.

I liked the buttery tone you were getting on the Gaia 2 the best! Thanks for making this video!

@bettersax

4 жыл бұрын

thank you

Great video Jay!! I own a Theo Wanne Gaia 2 and had the same reaction you did after playing on it for the first time. I love it!!

@bettersax

4 жыл бұрын

thanks

Theo's was my pick for the best one. Thanks for another great video Jay. See you next week.

@bettersax

4 жыл бұрын

see you then

Wau - the Phil Tone Rift 7 - sounds really fantastic!

I hate to say it for fear of appearing swayed by expense and “bling”, but when you played the Theo Wanne Gaia 2, I think it sparked you to play smoother, faster, and more dynamic. Your enhanced feel really popped. Thank you

@zvonimirtosic6171

4 жыл бұрын

That's true; Gaia 2 sounds like it is the most versatile and challenge-ready mouthpiece of them all. To cover several playing styles, Gaia 2 is worth the asking price because it can be the only mouthpiece a player needs to play different gigs.

@arthernandez6185

4 жыл бұрын

Pp

Thank you for the review! They all sound great, or more correctly YOU make them sound great.

@bettersax

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Pal

The Gaia has that large-chamber 'Cannonball' sound. The Phil-Tone has that modern narrow-chamber sound. Both are excellent!

@grantkoeller8911

3 жыл бұрын

Cannonball played on a medium chamber Meyer

I love the Phil Tone Rift!

The Phil-Tone Rift 7 gets my vote, but I have too many others on the go right now to justify adding to the collection.

Great video, Jay! Thanks for doing this comparison. You sound great on all them, but I understand why you chose the Philtone. I thought that one sounded the best and you really looked like you were enjoying playing. For me, it had the most complex sound. As to the Drakes, I preferred the one with the ceramic insert. I have a 100 Year New York Meyer Anniversary, but it's a 7. I got it in April and I love it! It's my main mouthpiece. I play lead alto in a big band and the Meyer allows me to blend with the section but still cut through and be heard (4 tenors, currently!) While soloing I get that bright, jazz tone with some edge that I love.

I liked the Drake ceramic better than the Drake standard. I was surprised that you didn't include a Jody Jazz. I bought a Jody Jazz HR* and it worked very well on my old Conn sax. When I upgraded to my Jean Paul USA .. It sounded great but I found that I settled on the JP AS-4 Optima, it played so well. Thanks Jay for doing this stuff. It is great to be a part of your world.

The Drake mouthpiece sounds awesome!

It is very mention worthy how the sound of the player basically remains the same thru all the mouthpieces.Which means that every one has to play the mouthpiece we're gonna buy regardless all the videos in the world!

The Drake ceramic was the most even to my ears. A great lead alto sound

@bettersax

4 жыл бұрын

It was actually a brass chamber I goofed

The Phil-Tone Rift 7 immediately grabs me too. Great choice. I would be coming from a Selmer C* which if have used for a while.

i like the Drake with ceramic inlay better than without. My winner is the Gaia 2 , sound wise, but it might not easy to be controlled, and the Meyer, phil tone is also great i mean it you having a great sound! so great review thanks a lot

When you were playing the Wanne I thought Art Pepper was in the room! Great video, thanks

@bettersax

4 жыл бұрын

thanks

Thanks I needed a new one

I just listened to this and I like the Phil-Tone Rift 7.

No wrong choice there. Your selection is spot-on. (PS. There are two more you could try in that price range: Aizen and Woodstone. Next time perhaps, in "Japanese Mouthpieces Contest" ).

I have a meyer 6 lapped facing, it came together with a buescher elkart 1920, silver, feels great

Thanks for all these videos! Have you done a comparison of metal alto mouthpieces? That would be great.

I switched from a Meyer five M almost a year ago to the drake mouthpiece. I pair it with a François Louis ligature and the combination is wonderful.

@bettersax

4 жыл бұрын

nice

I always replay the intro song at least twice before starting the video! 😂

I'm pretty happy with my Selmer Larry Teal mouthpiece for my alto.

@bettersax

4 жыл бұрын

If you're happy don't change anything.

Those are some serious(ly priced) mouth pieces. Thanks for this review.

@bettersax

4 жыл бұрын

yeah, the Meyer is priced well though if you can find one.

Definitely the Phil-tone rift 7 sounded the richest/greatest depth. Only the price stopping me buying one!

100 Year NY Meyer was the most pleasing sound and also the most pleasing price, going to order this MP next year and compare with my Theo Wanne NY Bros, thanks Jay for helping us learn more about Sax playing and sound.

@bettersax

4 жыл бұрын

thanks for watching!

Loved them all. Recently got a Meyer New York 6m. Peculiar thing happened. Blew great for 10 mins then I couldn't get a note out of it. Examined everything but found that the table was warped. I returned it.

All of them sound good! As far as the Drakes, I like the non-ceramic chamber better than ceramic chamber; nice dark smooth sound.

@bettersax

4 жыл бұрын

thanks for the comment, Sorry, that was the brass chamber not ceramic. my mistake.

Ah, a New video! I finally got my rovner platinum ligature for my beginner's yamaha 4c . I want to make a mouthpiece and reeds by myself as soon as possible. just for fun. Maybe. I should spend more time in practicing.

@bettersax

4 жыл бұрын

making reeds will be difficult

Big help, thanks

As always, great info Jay 👍🏽

@bettersax

4 жыл бұрын

thanks

Hey Jay! I recently got a really nice new Vandoren mouthpiece for my birthday (Can't remember the exact name) I went to my local saxophone and music store and I got to choose my preference just by trying a bunch of mouthpieces! On a final note, I just want you to know that I'm a fan and that you help me become a "Better Sax Player". Thanks Jay! -Paul

@bettersax

4 жыл бұрын

Vandoren makes some great mouthpieces. Thanks

I have played the Aron Drake NY Jazz 6 for several years and this is a mouthpiece which works very well for me. I have also the NY Meyer 7 and that is really a nice mouthpiece, but also the Selmer Super Session D is a great choice for my Selmer Reference 54 alto sax. These 3 mouthpieces are mye best choice for now. I also play the Theo Wanne Gaia 8 on my Yanagisawa 901 soprano sax. :-) Tank you for a great video.

@bettersax

4 жыл бұрын

You've got some nice mouthpieces there.

Theo wanne hands down my preference. Phile tone, No metals. I have the Lawton *6 (the father)

Bought myself a Theo Wanne Gaia 3 (7) for alto and absolutely love it! Wish I knew about the coupon code before I paid.....

Best sax channel

The Phil tone is my favorite one with the Drake ceramic.

I likes the ceramic insert best. Played alto sax a long time and for me, the real challenge was to not sound like a cheap Italian movie. (Nothing wrong with either cheap not Italian,just wasn't my goal.) The drop-off going into the higher registers really smoothed the tone evenly.

I also liked the sound of the Phil Tone.

@bettersax

4 жыл бұрын

yeah, more people should be playing those...

I think I love the first Drake mouthpiece

I have a Theo Wane Mindi Abair and I love it. I also have a Aron Drake ceramic and Meyer. I prefer the Mindi Abair alto mouthpiece

liked the ceramic drake vs the reg But the NY Meyer 100 yr and the Phil tone are stellar!! If I had to choose btw the 2 NY Meyer for me Loved the Theo Wanne too!! I play Theo Wanne Durga 3 gold alto/tenor 9s HR Gaia 9 soprano partial to TW but as we all do as sax players, Always lookin for a better or diff sound lol!! Thx Jay for all the info!! 😎🎷

Thanx for this 👍👍👍

I preferred the sound of the Drake ceramic and the Phil-Tone. In a future test, would you do the same with upscale metal mouthpieces? Love your videos!

@bettersax

4 жыл бұрын

That’s the plan. Thanks

You can never go wrong with a Meyer 6 or 7 for jazz, but as far as classical goes I use a Selmer Concept but it might be a bit bright on a strength 3, so I usually end up using 4s for everything

Thank you so much

So I just discovered that the jazz piece that I bought myself for Christmas for 33% off at my music store was that first Meyer mouthpiece. Nice

@grantkoeller8911

3 жыл бұрын

they are fantastic

Meyer, the best sound. But the first of the video was the very best.

WOW, where do I start? I play the TW Gaia 2 with a 6 tip opening on a Yani WO20. The Gaia has outstanding range and the best MP for me on this sax. So check the box for the Gaia. The ceramic Drake sounds excellent as well. A now we have the Phil Tone Rift with a 7 T.O. the plays like a 6, your words.The Rift sings on your horn no doubt about that. I go over to the Phil site and they have a video of David Strong putting one thru its paces. WOW. Now I'll have to try one out. Thank you for this demo, outstanding!!!!

@bettersax

4 жыл бұрын

My mistake, my Drake has a brass chamber not ceramic... thanks

I'm currently playing a GAIA 2 on alto and my back up is a Phil Tone Solstice. Love them both, but feel I get a little more projection from the GAIA for big band work. I really enjoyed your sound on the GAIA and the Phil Tone, probably more than the others. I now have the Rift on my list of mouthpieces to try or buy on the future.

@mattgamingvlog173

Жыл бұрын

Hi hello .. i really chose the phil tone and theowani ..it is best for me..

the philtone is my fav -2nd the ceramic drake

I play a NY Meyer 6, a Theo Wanne GAIA 2 7* and a Selmer Soloist D, all with Legere Signature reeds. Love all 3 but like you Jay, the GAIA has my keen preference. Thanks for the great video as usual 👍🏼

@bettersax

4 жыл бұрын

thanks Thierry

@mediocreman2

10 ай бұрын

But he chose the Phil Tone Rift 7, not the GAIA.

I ended up picking up the NY Bros 2 by Theo Wanne, and love it

@bettersax

4 жыл бұрын

I will have to try that one.

@mrp1217

4 жыл бұрын

I also play the NY Bros 2 (size 6) and love it.

Jay, you need to try SYOS piece. I suggest contact them and get one depending on your preferences as per their detailed questionnaire - I am certain they will grab the opportunity for review on your channel!. It probably catapaulted this newbie a year or two ahead and was way cheaper than the ones I was advised and are considered great out on web .

Your videos are amazing! i play on a concept mouthpiece (selmer) that's also a very good one

@bettersax

4 жыл бұрын

yes it is, but that's intended for a classical sound.

I followed your beginners course, and in one of the lessons it stipulated the importance of keeping your fingers very close to the keys. I noted in the first Theo Wanne section they were not exactly doing that.

@bettersax

4 жыл бұрын

Yeah I wish I had taken my own course when I was starting out. Then I wouldn't have so many bad habits to break...

thanks

I like the tone from all of the mouthpieces, the Drake NY is definitely darker to my ears but the ceramic chamber adds some brilliance which I found interesting....in other forums there has been much discussion on the impact of material (namely, metal -vs- HR) on tone and whether there is one. You sound great on all of them, the Meyer was a nice surprise, but the Rift and Drake/Ceramic are my favorites. My current alto piece for almost a year now is a 10mfan Daddy-O 6.

@bettersax

4 жыл бұрын

The Drake piece actually had a brass chamber not ceramic. oops.

Jay, I loved the Meyer (I did play a Meyer 8 for years..) until I heard you play the Phil Tone ! It does really sound great! I'll check it out...

@bettersax

4 жыл бұрын

This new Meyer is very different from others I have played

@DoomerDad

4 жыл бұрын

I’m married to my Meyer 8

@paoloalbano4690

4 жыл бұрын

@@bettersax ok, thanks

I would add Navarro Bebop or Miestra. Just fantastic pieces. You sound best on the Phil Tone

@bettersax

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for listening

I actually upgraded from a Vandoren 16 A8 S+ to the 100 Year Anniversary New York Meyer 7M. I did this a couple months ago, I felt it played much better than normal Meyer mouthpieces and I could push as much air through it as possible. I still love it now as I play everyday on it. I only recommend finding another ligature as I believe the one it comes with has scratched the top of my mouthpiece.

@DynamixWarePro

4 жыл бұрын

I had the same issue with the Meyer ligature that came with my normal modern Meyer 6M as it scratched the sides of it. While | had the Meyer, I used a Rovner Versa ligature which was great on it.

@bettersax

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for reminding me. That's why I don't use it. You can even see the same scratch on my mouthpiece from the only time I did...

@voltagestorm1787

23 күн бұрын

@@bettersaxI had one of those for about a year, and it scratches every mouthpiece you put it on. It's a really bad ligature, but the connoisseur comes with a better one. Though I always recommend a single screw ligature as it's the easiest to use.

Jay, you could make a car alarm sound good

I play on a Theo Wanne. Shiva 2 hard rubber with 8 tip opening. REALLY REALLY big and bright sound. Theo Wanne has some nice stuff if you want to pay the price point.

@bettersax

4 жыл бұрын

nice and expensive indeed.

I have the as400 saxophone which I paid 2000, but I didn't like the sound so I thought I would have to buy a new one. Luckily I found out it's just the mouthpiece. Thanks alot and great content. Edit: I do know alot of it is your embouchure but I've been playing for about 3 years now and its still not the sound I like that's why I was looking for something different.

I'm playing a D'Addario Jazz Select right now and I really like it. Nice fat sound, and very versatile. Of the ones you played in the video.... hmmmm, I think I gotta go with the Rift. But they all sounded nice. I was thinking of getting a NY Meyer for my next mouthpiece, but that Rift has me rethinking that.

@bettersax

4 жыл бұрын

If you like the DJS, you will probably like the Rift more...

To my taste (dark, trad tone), the TW Gaia, then the regular Drake, are the best...

When your the mouthpieces are much more expensive than your saxophone.

@issaccamarena8644

4 жыл бұрын

damn bro, I felt that lmfao

@aryagadingdewantara8

4 жыл бұрын

Theo wanne more expensive compered my saxophone 😂😂😂

@ryank09

3 жыл бұрын

@Kannon Dorian DAMN TWO BOT COMBO MEAL

@grantkoeller8911

3 жыл бұрын

@Adell Denapoli get the hell out of here!

Hey Jay, love your videos. I've been playing sax for 14 years now. Could you please do a video comparing lacquered vs. unlacquered saxes? I'd appreciate it. Keep up with the nice job!!

@bettersax

4 жыл бұрын

It just changes the look. Any sound difference would be impossible to determine with any accuracy and would be negligible anyway.

@nickglass12

4 жыл бұрын

I had an old Conn Bari Sax from the 20s that only went up to Eb that was unlaguered that vibrated & shook more than any other sax that I've owned....big sound but clacky keys & it looked like a science experiment color wise. I think lacquer tampers the sound.

I liked the Drake Ceramic the best. No shrillness on the highest notes.

Loved the Phil-tone. I'm playing a Drake contemp. jazz on Yas 82z absolutely love it. but you've got to like a brighter tone.

Yes...sin duda..the best for me Phil Tone...after..theo Wanne. Between de Drake...Ceramic mpouthpiece . Gracias por los videos muy interesantes.

3 out of 4 of my pro mouthpiece are brighter sounding, so I would consider another darker sounding one. (Otto Link NY is my darker sounding mouthpiece).

They all sound good when you play but for me the Gaïa sounds better Thank you

I love the sound of the fist one you played, but it's really hard to get it in Germany. But I also love the sound of my Claude lakey 7*3 :)

@bettersax

4 жыл бұрын

hard to get everywhere

I had drake Nyjazz without ceramic chamber, was great... but still play my Mayer 6 lapped facing(standat) but with reface. Happy and for me is perfect mpc. But jus after reface. So I'm glad to say that really great from unbox was Aaron Drake NY

@bettersax

4 жыл бұрын

I was actually mistaken. My NY Jazz has a brass chamber not ceramic.

I wish you to try the mouthpiece woodstone made in japan.I love this one.I want to know how do you feel about it.

I love yo vids bra

@bettersax

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks

Hard to choose between the Meyer (a little richer) and the non-ceramic Drake (a little clearer). (I tend to prefer dark, in case you couldn't guess.) The Gaia is really nice (Theo's work is nothing if not consistent), but just a little brighter than I'd want, given the previously-mentioned options. The thing that stuck out for me about the Phil-Tone was that I really didn't like how it sounded in the low register. Enjoyed hearing "Polka Dots" and "Anthropology." :)

The Phil Tone had a massive wedge in it. It was was brighter than all the others. It is more of a David Sanborn type of mouthpiece. The reason the 7 plays like the 6 is because of the massive high baffle.

Phil's pieces are legit! Sounds great man!

@bettersax

4 жыл бұрын

Yes they are. Thanks man!

Jay I like the sound of the Drake NY Jazz Ceramic over the plan Drake NY Jazz. Out of the 4 you demo I preferred the GAIA 2 (which I have). I use a Jody Jazz HR and prefer it over the GAIA 2 ( just personal preference)

@bettersax

4 жыл бұрын

The Drake was actually the brass chamber I misspoke.

You should review the new Dickerson Resonator Ligature for alto sax on Reverb & ebay - it's a game changer

Love the sound and crispy articulation. Have you checked out the new Drake Phil Woods mouthpiece?

@bettersax

4 жыл бұрын

I have, that's another great piece.

I just started playing, self teaching, a Yamaha Alto sax about 4 weeks ago. First instrument I've ever attempted to play. I'm using the plastic Yamaha mouthpiece that came with the sax with a 2.5 Ricca reed. Should I purchase a much better mouthpiece while learning?

A few days ago I played a Yanagisawa bwo1 and it was great, and had a question do all Yanagisawas have the short travel octave met or is it just that one

Nice selection, ive been looking at the JodyJazz HR* Alto C* as an upgrade option aswell. Have you ever thought about doing a review of the Yamaha CM (Custom series)? I cant seem to find any info about them on YT.

Oh my God...that Phil Tone Rift! Thanks.)

With ceramic, my vote. Wide tip openings = trouble for me as beginning student who used to play more. Narrower tip openings and softer reeds essential to have satisfaction with practice, and not fight the mechanics, wider later! 🚀

@bettersax

4 жыл бұрын

Rocket, that was a brass chamber. I made a mistake.

My preference is for the Phil-Tone but then Jay can make anything sound fantastic.

Like the ceramic

@bettersax

4 жыл бұрын

Sorry, but it is actually brass.