DAVE GUARDALA SAXOPHONES

DAVE GUARDALA MOUTHPIECES
Probably the most sought after and highly rated metal mouthpieces of all time!

NEWS..... Soprano, Alto & Tenor Studio models now available!
Plus a range of handmade models by Nadir Ibrahimoglu who worked alongside Dave Guardala for many years.

Laser Trimmed mouthpieces are produced and replicated to within tolerances never thought possible. The result is uncanny. At a clinic demonstration world-renowned artist Tom Scott put the laser trimmed mouthpieces to test. After comparing five of the same models, Tom stood speechless - unable to detect a single difference between them. He left playing one, and continues using one today. Whether it's an original handmade design or the latest Laser Trimmed model, Dave Guardala products give saxophonists the ideal blend of performances and playability. But, until you compare these magnificent models for yourself, nothing will convince you otherwise. The proof is in the sound.

Most models are available as laser trimmed or hand made, silver or gold plated.

Alto New Crescent. .076-.078 (6) opening. This model features a moderate baffle with a powerful round sound suitable from rock & fusion to big band lead alto. Excellent free blowing mouthpiece. Prices & Ordering: New Crescent for alto

Alto King. .084-.086 (7) opening. This model features a high baffle and a small bore. Patterned after King Curtis' music (Detriot and Texas sounds combined), it is powerful and compact sounding. It's for variety of venues as well as bebop and mainstream jazz. Prices & Ordering: King for alto

Tenor New Crescent. End of the 80's Dave designed a new Crescent model with a little larger bore for the dark Bebop sound. This model should be used by those who prefer the darkest sound. The tip opening is .105 (8)
Prices & Ordering: New Crescent for tenor
Prices & Ordering: New Crescent for tenor, hand made!

Tenor Crescent. This model was designed with the "Coltrane" sound in mind. The sound of this mouthpiece is reminiscent of the John Coltrane album "Crescent" circa 1963. It features a slightly smaller tip opening (8) than the other models. It has a large bore and a slight baffle.
Prices & Ordering: Crescent for tenor

Tenor Branford Marsalis. .114 (8*) Handmade to the specification of Branford Marsalis' own Guardala mouthpiece. Around 8* tip opening so similar feel to the Studio/Brecker models but with a warmer darker sound.
Prices & Ordering: Branford Marsalis for tenor, hand made!

Tenor MBII. This model is a hybrid of the Studio and the original Brecker model. It has the high baffle of the Studio model with the large bore of the original Brecker model. This gives you increased volume and brightness with greater ease of playing. It is great for contemporary pop, rock & jazz. The tip opening is .115 (8*)
Prices & Ordering: MBII for tenor
Prices & Ordering: MBII for tenor, gold plated & hand made!

Studio. The most popular in the range, often referred to as "The Brecker" model. It has tremendous volume with unexcelled resonance and a full and balanced frequency response. This model incorporates a high baffle with a medium bore. The sound of this model is clearly demonstrated by Michael Brecker in the period 1979-1982 (Brecker Brothers' Band). The Studio can be used for all types of music a "Studio Man" would encounter from Fusion to Swing, hence its name. This is our middle of the road mouthpiece.
Prices & Ordering: Studio for tenor
Prices & Ordering: New Studio for tenor, gold plated & hand made!

Tenor King. This is the second brightest and compact of the Tenor models. It is patterned after the sound of King Curtis a combination of the Detroit & Texas sound. This mouthpiece incorporates a high baffle and a small chamber. This mouthpiece can be used for the same types of Music as The SuperKing/R&B. For players who are acquainted with high baffle small bore mouthpieces, it can be used for Mainstream BeBop, Jazz and Contemporary/Pop. (9)
Prices & Ordering: Dave Guardala King for tenor

Tenor Super King. This mouthpiece is The King/R&B with a higher baffle. The chamber and bore are altered to make a better match with the higher baffle. It should be used when the demands for brightness and power are extreme. It is ideal for Music that contains electric instruments that must be competed with, such as Fusion, and Rock 'n' Roll and Contemporary/Pop. (9*)
Prices & Ordering: Super King for tenor

Our old in-house saxman Steve said: "It is a long time since I have been so enthusiastic about a product in the world of saxophone playing. I have known about Guardala mouthpieces for years but have never had the opportunity of playing one. At last they are now back in the UK and what a joy to finally find what I think is possibly the best tenor mouthpiece on the market. Yes folks, it's not cheap but the quality is worth every penny!!"

Fom: Mike Owen
Sent: Thursday, February 21, 2008 9:31 AM
Subject: RE: Guardala order
I received the Guardala King mpc yesterday. Easily the best alto piece I have ever blown. I didn’t need the ‘chops adapt’ period either, it was just straight in there. The dynamic range is great. It is really effective at a ‘fat n’ funky’ Maceo Parker type sound. The attack is like a slap in the face, really crisp and powerful. Thanks, Mike Owen

From: craighoek@verizon.net
Sent: Friday, October 26, 2007 2:41 PM
Subject: Guardala Alto Mouthpiece
Thank you! The mouthpiece arrived and it is simply AMAZING! Truth be told, I had occasion to try a handmade Guardala "R&B" mouthpiece about 15 years ago and it was the best I had ever played, but I wasn't in a position to pay $200 for a used mouthpiece at the time, and I have kicked myself ever since as I had not found a mouthpiece that compared. This "King" is by far the closest I have come to getting the sound I got from the "R&B". Truly, it is a keeper and I could not be happier. Thank you for your help...I may be contacting you about the other alto model down the road. All the very best to you, Craig Hoek, New Jersey, USA

Just a short note of thanks for all your advice and extremely fast and efficient service. It is a real pleasure to deal with a mail order company that treats the customer as an old friend and places customer satisfaction as a top priority. The Guardala Studio arrived first thing this morning and I couldn't wait to try it on my Yani 9932J Tenor......wow!!! just what I was looking for , the tone has it all from mellow through to just the right amount of edge for Rock , full of power and easy blowing for a open mpc. As you said no need to go for a softer reed Vandoren zz 2# with a BG metal revelation Ligature, Strong powerful low notes through to altissmo. Thanks Alan R Tinto alantinto@ntlworld.com

From: Andrew Davey mailto: andrew.davey2@tesco.net
Sent: 09 November 2004 09:11
Subject: Guardala Mouthpiece
Just wanted to drop a short note of thanks for the quality of service that I received on Friday last. I have been looking to purchase a David Guardala Tenor Mouthpiece for a little while now and was struggling to find one. Not only did you have what I wanted in stock, but it arrived the very next day at 9am. Gigged with it for the first time last night. Wow! what a difference. Thank you for taking the time to talk to me about the M/P it really helped me make my mind up. Just got to get a decent lig for it now and I’ll be sorted. Thanks again, I would definitely recommend you to anyone. Andrew Davey

From: Maden, Tony mailto: a.maden@imperial.ac.uk
Sent: 05 November 2004 10:09
Subject: Yamaha 875 soprano & Guardala Crescent tenor mouthpiece
Great service, all arrived safely within 24 hours. Great saxophone too, and it looks beautiful. Even more of a revelation was the Crescent mouthpiece, which lives up to all you said about it. I had been worried about the rather open lay but it turns out to be significantly easier to play than my Lawton 6. I don't fully understand why but also don't intend to spend any time worrying about it, as it plays so well. It really is like having a new sax. Best wishes, Tony

From: Hingley, Simon [mailto:simon.hingley@pera.com]
Sent: 19 August 2004 09:09
Subject: Dave Guardala mouthpiece

Just to say thanks for the inspired advice yesterday! I know I came in wanting an ebonite mouthpiece, but the Guardala just felt right straight away. The lighter reed makes a big difference as well. I had a good blow at rehearsal last night, and it was brilliant. Thanks again, Simon Hingley

Subj: Re: Dave Guardala King mouthpiece
Date: 06/09/02 15:56:39 GMT Daylight Time
From: chuglet@yahoo.com
It arrived yesterday and it is fantastic!! thank you very much and be sure that if we need anything else, we'll contact you again, Kevin

Subj: Re: dave guardala tenor mouthpiece
Date: 08/07/02 11:31:49 GMT Daylight Time
From: alexsaxmoles@hotmail.com (Alex Moles)
I'm just writing to say thanks for the studio guardala and for your great service!

Subj: Dave Guardala Mouthpieces
Date: 11/03/02 09:10:58 GMT Standard Time
From: Steven_Southern@uk.hettich.com
I received the guardala mpc on saturday , and i havent stopped playing my tenor since , it is absolutely brilliant I cannot get over how crisp and clear it sounds , the high register is awesome and the low register is how u said big & fat just how a tenor should sound , I was a little worried that it maybe hard to blow as i am playing jazz select 3H reeds but there is no problem and it is easier to blow than other mpc's i have had on tenor even though it is more open, i have had two other mouthpieces in the last year on tenor and have always felt it could sound better and now it does , I can see what all the fuss is about these mpc's, and they are worth waiting for
Thanks Steve