Meet 9 Of The World’s Top Mouthpiece Magicians
While I was recently searching for a new mouthpiece, I started reading more about refacing and how the right person could turn a good mouthpiece into a one-of-a-kind-mouthpiece.
In this review, I will be profiling various mouthpiece makers/refacers whose mouthpieces I have tried – whether it be their own branded mouthpiece, or another branded mouthpiece that was re-faced by them.
The new JodyJazz DV HR Tenor uses the patented DV secondary window to add mid and low harmonics, resulting in a more authoritative tone than normal tenor sax mouthpieces provide. And the long straight somewhat high baffle gives the mouthpiece it’s fantastic projection and cutting power along with excellent altissimo.
JODYJAZZ.COM
The New DV HR Tenor from JodyJazz
Fred Lebayle
Fred Lebayle started refacing mouthpieces in an effort to emulate Charlie Parker’s sound. In 1987, Fred decided to set up his own mouthpiece business as a one-man venture and has been refacing and designing his own line of mouthpieces ever since.
Fred Lebayle has come out with an extensive line of mouthpieces with various specs to meet the musician’s needs. In addition to the wide variety of players who play on Fred’s various lines of mouthpieces, Fred offers refacing work that is top quality.
I have included a link which details Fred’s refacing work. In addition, if you are in New York, stop by Fred’s shop in Brooklyn if you would like to test play his mouthpieces, or be there in person while he works on your own mouthpiece.
http://lebaylemouthpieces.com/service
Eric Falcon
Eric Falcon has hand finished and helped design some of the most popular mouthpieces by renown manufacturers such as Warburton, and most recently, MACSAX. Eric’s hard rubber and metal mouthpieces have become very popular due to the design, quality, and the time Eric dedicates to each mouthpiece.
I can personally say that I had Eric work on an old Otto Link Slant Signature hard rubber tenor mouthpiece that I picked up, and his workmanship and knowledge of refacing and overall sound resulted in a mouthpiece that I play as my main piece.
Here is Eric’s contact information with any questions:
eric@macsax.com
http://www.macsax.com/pages/contact-us
Stephan Kammerer
If you have visited KB Saxophone Services in New York, you might have had a chance to test play some of the mouthpieces that Stephan Kammerer has been working on.
I met Stephan Kammerer while visiting KB Saxophone Services and was able to test play some of his tenor hard rubber mouthpieces as well as one of his hard rubber alto mouthpieces. I can say that Stephan Kammerer’s line of mouthpieces are constantly being worked on and they reminded me of my vintage Otto Link hard rubber mouthpiece and the alto mouthpiece reminded me of a NY Meyer in terms of the core sound, projection, and overall resonance.
More and more players in NYC are going to Stephan for refacing work and I can see why.
Please check out his website to find out more about him and his process when refacing a mouthpiece.
Sam Dillon test playing a re-faced metal Otto-link by Stephan Kammerer
Theo Wanne
I would have to say Theo Wanne is one of the most well-known mouthpiece makers, refacers, and most importantly one of the most knowledge people I know when it comes to vintage mouthpieces as well as what makes up a saxophone mouthpiece. Theo has an extensive line of mouthpieces, ligatures, and even a tenor and soprano saxophone under his own name. I would recommend contacting Theo Wanne in regards to mouthpiece refacing work as well as any questions related to the saxophone in general.
Rafael Navarro
Over the past months, I have been hearing more and more about Rafael Navarro’s mouthpieces and the quality of work he offers when it comes to making a truly one of a kind mouthpiece. From my understanding, Rafael studied under famous mouthpiece maker Ralph Morgan, whom many players view Ralph’s line of mouthpieces as some of the best or an alternative to a vintage Otto link mouthpiece.
Here is a link to check out Rafael’s line of mouthpieces as well as more about his process when working on a mouthpiece.
The Navarro Mouthpiece Facebook Page
Brian Powell & Erik Greiffenhagen
Like Rafael Navarro, both Brian and Erik studied under famous mouthpiece re-facer Ralph Morgan. I have play tested various mouthpieces from Meyer’s to Vandoren’s, to new Otto Link’s, and when I play tested the stock mouthpiece and one that Erik or Brian worked on, it was a completely different mouthpiece.
In addition to the great mouthpiece work both Brian and Erik produce, they offer a line of mouthpieces that were inspired by such popular mouthpiece designs such as the vintage Meyer’s, Otto Link’s, and Selmer mouthpieces.
Find out more at http://www.mouthpieceguys.com
Adam Niewood
I have watched clips of Adam on YouTube and have heard from various saxophone players that Adam is the only guy they go to when it comes to refacing work.
Adam started learning the trade from Jon Van Wie, who was a well-known mouthpiece re-facer and then began studying with Jon Van Wie’s teacher Ted Klum. In addition to Adam offering great mouthpiece refacing work, he is also a great player, which contributes to his ability to understand what the player is looking for in their mouthpiece.
To find out information on pricing and questions, go to http://www.niewood.com/mouthpieces.htm.
Bob Carpenter
Probably one of the best known refacers, Bob Carpenter has been working on repairing and refacing mouthpieces for over 15 years. If you did not know, Bob taught well-known mouthpiece maker Theo Wanne the art of refacing. Bob has provided mouthpieces to various professional saxophone players, advanced students, and hobbyists throughout the Northwest and even to international players.
Bob works by appointment only and can be reached at: (425) 486-8362.
Ted Klum
The first time I ran into some of Ted Klum’s mouthpieces was when I visited Roberto’s Winds in New York City. I was at Roberto’s to test play some vintage Otto Link metal mouthpieces, and while checking out various pieces, I ran into one of Ted Klum’s Focus Tone mouthpieces. The craftsmanship and attention to detail is second to none. Ted truly puts a lot of time into each mouthpiece he makes, and based on what various players say about his mouthpieces, he has been listening to jazz saxophonists’ wish lists.
In addition to Ted’s lines of mouthpieces, his refacing work is something you should definitely consider – especially if you are looking to improve the overall playability of your main mouthpiece.
Check out his website for more information:
http://www.tedklummouthpieces.com
Final Thoughts
I hope this list of mouthpiece makers/refacers helps those players in search of a new mouthpiece, or looking to get more out of their current mouthpiece by having it refaced. I understand there are many great mouthpiece refacers who I may not be familiar with and not had a chance to test play their pieces. That being the case, I would appreciate any comments or posts naming mouthpiece makers and refacers that should be noted as well.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
March 13, 2014 @ 5:19 pm
Great list, but I would also have included Keith Bradbury (mojobari). He has done some stunning work for me over the past few years.
March 13, 2014 @ 8:44 pm
Hey Scott,
Thank you for the add on. Please feel free Scott to add any info in your comment about Keith Bradbury. I would like to grow this list with more names so players have more options for guys to check out. Thanks for the suggestion.
Zach
March 13, 2014 @ 8:45 pm
Hey Scott,
Thank you for the add on. Please feel free Scott to add any info in your comment about Keith Bradbury. I would like to grow this list with more names so players have more options for guys to check out. Thanks for the suggestion.
Zach
March 13, 2014 @ 9:17 pm
You should also include Norbert Stachel. He is a great player and mouthpiece tech. He recently did some great work on my soprano and tenor pieces. He should be number ten for sure. Check him out http://www.norbertstachel.com/#top
March 13, 2014 @ 10:23 pm
Hey Alonzo,
It’s funny you mention Norbert because I just heard a bit about him from a couple players. Will definitely check him out.
May 31, 2019 @ 8:14 pm
Norbert Stachel is brilliant, as a player and working on pieces. He worked on my main tenor and alto mouthpieces (both vintage Guardala), as well as on a couple of other backup tenor pieces, and made them all infinitely more playable and enjoyable. I would recommend Norbert to anyone.
March 14, 2014 @ 10:49 am
I would second the Keith Bradbury recommendation. He has done great work for me. His youtube (mojobari) videos are extremely informative.
http://www.youtube.com/user/MojoBari
April 4, 2014 @ 7:55 pm
Another guy who does really good work is John Reilly of Hollywood, CA. He’s kind of a low key, word of mouth kind of guy. He seems to be the go to guy on the West Coast Coast. Both Dan Higgins the Hollywood Studio guy and Tim Price the teacher/educator/player from Reading, PA both recommended him to me. He did some good work for me on a basic stock Babbitt HR current Link. He was also helpful in providing some good information to me on mpcs for my Masters Project in Music Ed.
Another guy who is very knowledgeable is Phil Barone of Brooklyn, NY. He has a great reputation although I have never played his mpcs or seen them in person. Guys like Lou Marini (Blues Brothers) play his mpcs and like them.
April 6, 2014 @ 5:07 am
Phil Engleman (Phil-tone) is a master. I play a customized Equinox (slightly darker) on my tenor & a Meridian on my alto. I am totally enamoured with the Meridian. It brought out the sound in me I have been seeking for literally 35 years!
June 12, 2014 @ 12:28 pm
I also think very highly of Phil-Tone. I have a custom hard rubber Link, which was my main piece for almost four years, until I recently bought a Sapphire (also by Phil-tone), which has become my main piece now, I immediately felt right at home with it and it allows me to produce to sound I’m looking for. Very high level of craftsmanship. Very recommended.
May 22, 2014 @ 5:24 am
Great article, thanks for sharing the true important which is the men behind the sound and their vision of perfection.
June 12, 2014 @ 1:18 pm
You miss Aaron Drake, a real magician!
http://www.drakemouthpieces.com/
June 12, 2014 @ 2:11 pm
one more master: freddie gregory
August 28, 2015 @ 12:26 am
Hi Zak, I’m actually born and raised from the San Francisco Bay Area. I am the mouthpiece refacing teacher that taught one of the guys towards the top of your list! I’ve been refacing for 20 years. Mouthpieces that I’ve refaced are currently being played by all 3 saxophonists in she band Tower Of Power, Wayne Escoffery, Ian Hendrickson-Smith in the Jimmy Fallon Tonight Show band with The Roots, Nelson Rangel, Justo Armario, Steve Slagle, & hundreds of pro players all over the planet. In addition to the aforementioned, you can also hear recordings of my refaced mouthpieces on all of the saxes and clarinets on my new release: Norbert Stachel – Shades Of The Bay. Cheers!
August 28, 2015 @ 11:40 am
Hello Norbert,
That’s great to hear. I am always looking for members and readers to comment with mouthpiece re-facers whom they enjoy using. There are more and more people getting into this business so its hard for me to keep track. Congrat’s on the new c.d. I might be doing a 2nd article on mouthpiece re-facing but not sure at the moment.
Zach
954-292-2951
September 9, 2015 @ 10:38 am
I was gona mention Norbert Satchel, but the wow there ya go……saxman Joe Call told me about him. Great sit Zach, Well I gotta to talk to Norbert about a mouthpiece
September 9, 2015 @ 10:44 am
I have to proof read my posts better, great site Zach and saxman Joe Calo, That’s better, Jeff.
May 31, 2016 @ 6:04 am
Great article Zach, thanks!
Also great to read the comments with those additional names mentioned.
I concur about John Reilly in Los Angeles.
He has done some excellent refacing and customising for me on several pieces.
John has a website: http://www.jrmpcdr.com/
Also in LA, studio woodwind player John Yoakum is highly respected for his mouthpiece refacing work.
Another guy in New York who comes extremely highly recommended and is very highly regarded by many of the top Broadway, studio and jazz players there is Scott Shachter.
[Sorry(!), but this web page has disappeared since the original publication of this article]
Amongst many great players, he was working on some of Michael Brecker’s mouthpieces prior to Mike’s illness and passing.
Here in Australia, Gabriel Vatavu is outstanding!.
gabrielvatavurepairs.com/mouthpiece.php
June 5, 2016 @ 11:19 am
It was actually surprising not to see Jennifer Price on the list. She, as not too many people know, was actually the brians behind Guardalla mouthpieces. The very famous and well imitated sound of Michael Brecker’s was produced using a Guardalla piece. She now has her own line of mouthpieces called Vigilante.
June 5, 2016 @ 12:59 pm
Hello J Dennis,
Thanks for the update. This is a working list and there have been many more mouthpiece re-facers hitting the scene that do deserve credit as well. I have heard great things about Jennifer’s work but have not had the chance to try one of her mouthpieces yet.
June 5, 2016 @ 10:37 pm
These are some more names to add to this great list…
Fred Lamberson
Johannes Gerber
Joe Giardullo
John Thomas
June 6, 2016 @ 4:48 am
Greg Wier is also a very good mouthpiece maker and refacer to add. An accomplished flute and saxophonist. He is based in St. Augustine, Florida.
August 12, 2016 @ 2:57 am
I think you forgot my man Ron Pablo Coelho of RPC mouthpieces!
October 3, 2016 @ 11:22 am
I just thought I would add the amazing work of Johannes Gerber. The piece he made for me represents the cleanest craftsmanship I have owned. I should mention that I have 50+ mouthpieces by famous makers currently in my collection . Also, I have a bari piece by Ron Coelho that is unparalleled in its playability. I have five A’s without effort on my bari when I play this piece, and it has an amazing fat tone with an extra wide dynamic range.
October 3, 2016 @ 5:30 pm
Hello Scott,
Thanks for the add. I am looking to check out Johannes Gerber’s mouthpieces soon. I always like to hear from other musicians about other great mouthpiece refacers.
January 17, 2017 @ 5:02 pm
Add Matt Marantz to the list!! He refaced my jody jazz HR 7M and the tone on it feels great!!!!
February 7, 2018 @ 2:07 am
Francois Louis is a very underrated mouthpiece Craftsman. I always get the same “I didn’t know he also made mpcs” referring to his ligature work
April 3, 2018 @ 7:13 pm
His name is Brian. not Brain …..
April 3, 2018 @ 7:48 pm
Hello Grant,
Fixed. Thanks for catching that!
Best,
Zach
September 18, 2019 @ 1:58 am
Hello everybody ! How about a good refacers i Europe. Do you know any ?!?
December 13, 2019 @ 1:29 pm
Hey Zach,
Great line up of mouthpiece makers and refacers. All of the add on’s are also top notch people with great products. I was surprised that Jody Espina from JodyJazz mouthpieces wasn’t mentioned. He’s got one of the best selling mouthpieces the world. Just a thought…
December 13, 2019 @ 3:11 pm
Hey David,
Good point. I will be working on another updated article in the near future since there have been some new re-facers that have entered the market. I did not include Jody at the time because I was focused mainly on just re-facers and not the combination of mouthpieces and refacers at that time. The good news is we have so many options to choose from today compared to years past.
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January 16, 2023 @ 10:28 pm
John Yoakum has finished more Bellite mpc’s of top artist then anyone I can think of. He pretty much put Beechler on the map in the 1980’s. Nearly every smooth jazz alto artist played his mouthpieces.
everette harpe, dave koz, michael lington, nelson rangell, euge groove, and many many more play Bellites (and ARB’s) that were finished by John Yoakum at Beechler.
January 19, 2024 @ 2:54 pm
Hi, Matthew! John (Yoakam) is an old friend of mine ( fine player and refacer). He faced the Berg that I’m playing now. I don’t know how to get a hold of him; I have quite a bit of work for him. Could you tell me how to reach him? Sincerely, John Phillips.
January 11, 2024 @ 5:28 pm
Sebastian Knox belongs on this list. He worked closely with Ted Klum and has been refacing and making mouthpieces out of Canada for a number of years. His work is exquisite and he guarantees his workmanship.
January 12, 2024 @ 11:43 am
Hey Kevin,
Your absolutely correct. Sebastian’s work looks great and I have always heard great things about his pieces and need to try them. I hope to try his line of mouthpieces in the near future as well as write an updated mouthpiece refacer article since I wrote this awhile back and alot has changed since then.