The great musician and mouthpiece maker Ted Klum has come out with a metal tenor mouthpiece that is truly out of this world! Ted custom made one for me that I am currently playing exclusively. I think these arr the best mouthpieces on the market, with out a doubt. Tenor saxophonist Craig Handy is also playing one. Since they just became available (less than 100 made so far), only Roberto's in NYC, Bob Ackerman in NJ and Ishimori in Tokyo are presently carrying them. If you're in the market for a superior tenor mouthpiece, do yourself a favor and check out the "Focus Tone" !
I've been using Ted Klum's custom made mouthpieces since 2005 and I've had nothing but success. Every time I play a heavy hittin' gig, recording session, or international festival someone asks, "What mouthpiece are you playing...?" My current VersiTone alto saxophone piece is killing! Great for all the small jazz group music, loud hip-hop, lead alto-playing, or even as subtle as playing in a Broadway Theatre pit. Amazing!!!!
Very rarely does someone come along that is the perfect blend of artisan/artist and builder/engineer. Ted Klum that special kind of being. Ted has the sensibility of a musicians musician and the knowledge and discipline of a scientist; someone who is willing to try experiments over and over again, document the findings and perfecting the results. Ted knows what makes a Steinway preferable to a other pianos, a vintage K Zildjian better that other cymbals, or a double ring Otto Link more fascinating than almost anything ever made. If I am speaking your language, then listen to me when I say that the Focus Tone metal mouthpiece is one of the best mouthpieces ever conceived and constructed. The mouthpiece is reed friendly, plays evenly in all registers, has copious tone and the quality of material and workmanship is on par with Bentley motor coach builders. In fact, I would compare the Focus Tone with the Bentley Continental Supersports; it's big, it's fast and it's agile. What more do you want? So stop messing around and go try some (Focus Tones not Bentleys!) and find one that is you. I did, and I have been playing it since '07. Added an Alto Acoustimer late '09 and am pressing Ted to develop a soprano piece as well. Happy hunting!
-Craig Handy
p.s. If u think the pieces are too expensive then by all mean wait 5 years and buy one when the price has increased 35-50%! Oh, and the used ones...well there wont be any, but if u are lucky enough to find one a few yrs down the road, it will also be no less than the current model price if not more and it will also be someone elses hand me down. So go get your own now!!
I have been playing saxophone for about 37 years and have played all kinds of mouthpieces over that time. I usually have preferred the classic otto link metal mouthpiece for tenor sax, which I have played for many years. However, when I was introduced to the "Focus Tone" mouthpiece made by Ted Klum I was absolutely blown away. The mouthpiece is incredible! It is the first mouthpiece that was as easy to play in all of the registers of the instrument as it was great sounding. I have never played a mouthpiece that I enjoyed as much as this one and finally after many years of frustration I have found a mouthpiece that seems to have it all. It has clarity, great projection and an even sound from top to bottom and without a lot of struggle. Thank you, Ted and keep up the great work.
