PPT Tenor Saxophone Mouthpieces

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Onyxite

Marc Jean
Rovner Star 2R
Rovner Platinum P2R
Faxx Slim Baritone
Vandoren Optimum
Francois Louis *

Metal

Rovner L13
Selmer 404

* Although the FL does fit, I have notice this can slip very slightly when adjusting mouthpiece position on the neck

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Ligature & cap not included.

Custom Orders

Other tip sizes and materials/colours may be possible, but can only be returned at the company’s discretion. To discuss custom made mouthpieces please use the contact form and supply your telephone number. Custom mouthpieces may take a lot longer to deliver.

Which reeds to use?

For a while now my preference has been for softer reeds than I used to use. However, very often people find that soft reeds (although they make low notes easier) can sometimes make it difficult to play with a warm or dark sound when you want to or to play loud and high. The PPT is designed to work well over the entire range with soft or medium reeds without sounding thin and to give exceptionally wide dynamic range. I have found that a wide tip opening (9*) and Legere Signature 2 or 2.25 work well for me, or Rico 2.5 or Jazz Select 2M. If you use a 7* or 8* ouy may find slightly harder reeds are better on the PPT.

MOUTHPIECE INFO PPT MOUTHPIECES TENOR BARITONE SOPRANO

Coming soon, the PPT Baritone Slant

Summer Sale!

Soprano: £159

Tenor (onyxite): £179 £169

Baritone: £193 £179

Please check with xe.com for other currencies.

More metal vs Onyxite comparisons

All profits from the sale of PPTs is donated to charity

The Sound

My concept behind the sound is a mouthpiece that can deliver not only that 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

Onyxite Models

Onyxite is 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.

Coming soon...Metal PPTs

These are the same internal dimensions and facing curve as the Onyxite, machined from a solid block of brass and Rhodium or gold plated. They are hand finished by world renowned mouthpiece refacer, Morgan Fry. A Thomas/Pillinger/Fry production.

Do the metal PPTs sound different?

The sound is not significantly different, I have noticed that the main difference is in the dynamics. All mouthpiececs tend to get brighter as they are pushed more, as they get louder. The metal PPTs' main difference (that I can tell) is that as you push them the sound is more consistent, ie they do not get as bright as the Onyxites when played loud. But one attribute of the PPT is that they are not as bright (or edgy) as other high baffle mouthpieces.

PPT Tenor 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.

Custom Sizes

I am sometimes asked for an 8 or a 9, e.g. by somebody who currently plays an 8 or 9 tip in a different mouthpiece. This does not necessarily mean you should have an 8 or 9 PPT.

We do not supply these any smaller than 7*, they are designed to work best with larger tip openings. We could make them smaller but I prefer to make a mouthpiece I am confident will sound good for most people, rather than selling mouthpieces to make money.

Larger sizes are available as custom orders, and as such are are not subject to the usual return policy. I have experimented with 10* and 11. The 10* is very loud and has a very edgy sound, the 11 is extremely powerful, but has a bigger sound and less edgy.