PPT Saxophone Mouthpieces

PPT MOUTHPIECES

TENOR | BARITONE

All profits from the sale of PPTs is donated to charity

The Concept

I was looking for a mouthpiece that could give me a different, more characterful sound on tenor saxophone, so I started to experiment with altering mouthpieces. I liked a Vandoren Jumbo Java but found the baffle too severe giving too much of a constant edge to the sound, likewise I have always liked some of the Berg Larsens but found them a bit inconsistent. Most of my early attempts at working on a mouthpiece were pretty awful, as this is something best left to the mouthpiece experts. However I sent one of my efforts off to top UK mouthpiece manufacturer and refacer Edward Pillinger, who developed this into something rather special.

The Sound

My concept behind the sound is a mouthpiece that can deliver very fat warm almost vintage sound, but also a more modern sound with nice sparkly edge, sometimes both at once. I was after a really versatile mouthpiece that could deliver lush subtone for vintage jazz as well as screaming harmonics for rock and R & B. I find that a lot of jazz mouthpieces are either too bright altogether (e.g. Vandoren Jumbo Java) or too warm (Otto Link), or else they really need to be pushed too much to get some edge.

With the PPT mouthpiece I find that there is a combination of warmth and darkness but with an edge that need not not get overbearing when played really loud (unless you want it too). I found that many of the mouthpieces that can give you a warm or dark subtone seem to wimp out when you really push them to the limits. This is a great jazz or rock mouthpiece

The Mouthpiece

The 9* (125) is quite a specialised mouthpiece for experienced players and suits medium soft reeds. It is very loud and full bodied without being edgy or buzzy. Once you can control this it is an extraordinary weapon for any saxophonist. I use one of these for recording and live work.

The 8* (117) is very slightly brighter and very smooth but still with lots of mellow "body" - I find it works exceptionally well for funk, smooth jazz and pop, but still very versatile. Note the tip is very slightly wider than a normal 8*, but is no harder to play. Probably a bit easier if anything.

The 7* (105) is an ideal intermediate/pro mouthpiece, very easy blowing with a response reminiscent of a classic slant signature Otto Link, but with a much more focussed character and a nicer defined edge to the sound. If you are upgrading from a student mouthpiece it is recommended that you start off with medium soft reeds.

All PPT mouthpieces are now made from Onyxite, a resin/stone composite material specially developed and tested by Ed Pillinger for maximum durability, tonal and playing response. These materials have passed strict UK and EU tests for non-toxicity. The shank ring is solid unlacquered brass, it will age with an "antique " patina, but can be very easily polished back to shiny shine with a silver cloth. The mouthpiece has a baffle with no rollover and less pronounced "bullet" shape than a Berg Larsen and is rounded off and polished. Each mouthpiece is hand finished by Ed Pillinger and play tested. These are not made from imported blanks but are hand built from start to finish.

From time to time we experiment with different materials. Once such is the "Goldite" PPT. This is made from a 22ct gold composite, and is unlikely to go into production now that we have worked out the costs.

Happy Customers:

From the cafesaxophone Forum:

By email:

Pete, The mouthpiece arrived in the mail today and all I can say is -WOW- I didn't think it would be THIS GOOD! I'd hoped but I've tried many a mouthpiece that were pretty good but they lacked something. This mouthpiece has it all! As soon as I started to play it it started singing from top to bottom and man, what a bottom! It is so easy to play and every note is clear and full. I had trouble putting it down in order to write this. Finally I have the sound coming out of the horn I've wanted to produce for years. Oh happy day! Thank-you and Ed so much for producing one awesome mouthpiece! Alan Theberge (A Train on SOTW)

By email:

Hi Pete - Thanks for the mouthpiece I love it. I was playing a 130/2 Berg so I ordered the 9* PPT. When it arrived I tried it out and thought "Oh no - this is not for me". I then tried different reeds on it and moved down from a 3.5 plasticover to a medium Fibracell and it made all the difference. I have now been playing it solidly and driving the neighbours mad and it does exactly what you said it would do. I can get the low notes easily and (although not fluent yet) get as far up as high altissimo 'D'. I am also using your altissimo fingerings which are now starting to pay off.

By email:

Many thanks for posting out the PPT Tenor 9* mouthpiece...my first session on it was superb..its the nearest sound on an ebonite piece that duplicates a metal piece but without the screech and wildness...I will update you once I have played it on a gig... Kindest regards David Cole

By email:

Pete,
I received the mouthpiece last week.
It took a little while to get used to the sweetspot as it seems to require a lot less mpc in the mouth than my metal link. But once I found the correct mouth placement and reed (Vandoren Traditional 2) its a huge improvement. It was definately worth the wait just to see the look on my teacher's face at my lesson on Wednesday - he was very impressed and a little jealous. The only thing that I need to work on with it is not overblowing as I'm used to really having to force air through the link.