François Louis Spectruoso - Alto Sax Mouthpiece - Sphere Chamber

£295.00
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Description

AN INNOVATIVE MOUTHPIECE WITH A VAST SOUND SPECTRUM

Francois Louis has made a name for himself as a true innovator with his mouthpieces and ligatures. This mouthpiece features two of these; his proprietary composite material and 'Sphere' chamber. The result is a mouthpiece that really resonates, allowing the sound to really speak. The sphere chamber in particular helps create a truly balanced tone, plenty of Highs, Mids and Lows coming through to create and rounded and vibrant sound.

 Hand finished by Francois himself, these are truly outstanding mouthpieces 

Staff review:

This is a beautifully balanced sounding mouthpiece, and it feels like they have captured some of the qualities of the vintage mouthpieces of the past, such as the New York Meyer. The idea of the Sphere chamber is to give good presence to the middle range frequencies. In my opinion it achieves this very nicely, creating a buoyant, floaty kind of tone - the sound takes you in a Cannonball Adderley kind-of direction, with a definite leaning towards straight ahead or bebop jazz styles. In my opinion, it can also create enough edge to push the sound in more of a Kenny Garret direction! All in all, a great scope of tonal colour available! Jim@sax.co.uk

PLEASE NOTE: Supplied without ligature- for use with alto hard rubber sized ligatures

Tip Openings:

A185 is a 1.85 mm tip opening (72/00") equivalent to the traditional "5"/"5*" opening. Combined with a medium short facing length and a progressive facing curve. Very stable with enough flexibility to vary sound colors, fast response. Best fit with 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 reeds, Jazz cut as well as Classical cut.

 A205 is a 2.05 mm tip opening (80/00") equivalent to the traditional "6" opening. Combined with a short facing length and a progressive facing curve. This is the "universal" mouthpiece: very stable, centred pitch, small enough to be playable by amateurs and students, big enough to put some air and be playable by professionals. Very precise. Extremely responsive and fast staccato with a lot of projection. Best fit with 2 1/2 to 4 reeds, Jazz or Classical cut.

A225 is a 2.25 mm tip opening (88/00") equivalent to the traditional "7" opening. Combined with a medium facing length and a progressive facing curve. Great flexibility combined with stability and a well-centred pitch. Best fit with 1 1/2 to 5, Jazz or Classical cut.

A235 is a 2.35 mm tip opening (92/00") equivalent to the traditional "7*" opening. Combined with a medium long facing length and a soft facing curve. Due to the longer facing curve, it brings more resistance and takes more air. (This make it feel "bigger") The soft curve gives it a lot of flexibility. This is the best mouthpiece for the professional players that need to use all possibilities of dynamics, sound colors and range in one mouthpiece, without having to struggle too hard on a real big mouthpiece. Best fit with 2 1/2 to 4 reeds. Even if the Classical cut will play good, the « Jazz cut » will be a better fit with this type of facing.

A255 is a 2.55 mm tip opening (100/00") equivalent to the traditional "8*" opening. Combined with a long facing length and a progressive facing curve. Very well balanced and efficient, due to the progressive curve it keeps a well-centred pitch with flexibility, lot of projection and a big low range. For the player who likes to blow a lot of air without loosing control.

Best fit with 2 to 4 reeds. Better fit with « Jazz Cut »

A285 is a 2.85 mm tip opening (112/00") equivalent to the traditional "9*" opening.

Combined with a long facing length and a smooth progressive facing curve. Perfect mix of resistance and flexibility, very demanding, for players who are prepared to work hard and get rewarded by a full, rich and big sound, without loosing response and center.

Best fit with 2 to 5 reeds. Better fit with « Jazz Cut »

A325 is a 3.25 mm tip opening (128/00") equivalent to the traditional "11*" opening.

Combined with a long facing length and a progressive facing curve. Enormous sound, flexibility, projection, very big and full low range. For the players who need a total freedom of expression and are prepared to put a lot of air, having developed a good control of the embouchure/air stream balance. This has been specially conceived for Tenor players used to “big mouthpieces” who can hardly find a big enough mouthpiece while they have to double on the Alto Saxophone.

Best fit: at this stage, you know about your reeds!

 

Testimonials:

Whether on Tenor, Alto or Soprano saxophones, playing on my François Louis mouthpiece’s and Ligature’s give me the confidence to execute my ideas throughout my horns with my own personal sound in what ever ensemble setting I find myself in...

The quality and craftsmanship in his work is incomparable in todays market place...

François’ passion and developments are a constant inspiration...as is his new Soprano "Spectruoso" mouthpiece.

Joe Lovano 

The François Louis “Spectruoso” Mouthpiece has a real soul and sound. François has made something that is easy to play in all registers and is flexible and full bodied. It meets today’s demands for projection without sacrificing quality of sound.

Jerry Bergonzi 

Playing Francois Louis mouthpieces and ligatures on alto and soprano saxophones has given me the complete overall sound and depth that I’ve spent many years searching for on other mouthpieces.

It’s given me the freedom to produce my true voice and to speak like an individual. Truly personal, truly world class.

Tony Kofi

In the last more or less 20 years I’m using all kinds of Francois Louis Mouthpieces in different recordings and Live concert’s. Started on The Solid Silver, then the famous Wooden for years and this days the “Spectruos” . All of them have different character of course, but one thing never changes… they all ‘singing like a singer… wich effect is very importand for my way of playing, I’m a melody guy. Perfect mouthpiece to play lot’s of dynamic and stil stay’s in Tune,besides the Incredible reaction of phrasing.

Honestly… Ive been trying to replace the F.L. ligature few times, but everytime decided to come back because simply sounding the best. Gives the reed so much freedom to vibrate like no other ligature.

François is a real sound designer for the modern saxophone.

Tony Lakatos

Delivery & Returns

FREE DELIVERY ON ALL ORDERS OVER £100 TO UK MAINLAND

FAST & FULLY INSURED INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING. PAY THE FINAL LANDED COST AT CHECKOUT!

If you're based overseas and would like more information, please read our overseas guide located here

RETURNS

Goods purchased online can be returned within 14 days of receipt. This does not apply to custom ordered goods, products where hygiene is concerned and product seals have been broken (reeds, mouthpieces etc), digital download codes or software licences. Goods purchased through our website cannot be returned to our retail stores.

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We have decades of experience as a saxophone specialist, thoroughly testing all our products and using highly skilled technicians to professionally set up every instrument that leaves the building.

Our World-Class saxophone advisors are on hand and happy to help with any queries you may have.