| Hard Rubber | Caravan | Geller | Rheuben Allen | Selmer | Vandoren |
| Metal | Jody Jazz | Lebayle | |||
| 3D Printed | Syos | Syos – Modern | Syos – Vintage | JD Woodwinds |
Much like many things in bass sax land, if players were interested in finding a new bass sax mouthpiece just a couple of decades ago, their options were pretty limited. They had to either get one of only a couple in production; a modified baritone piece; or look for a vintage piece that fit well with their horn and style of playing.
Thanks to the bass sax renaissance however, players these days have many more options available to them when choosing a mouthpiece for whatever style or age of bass sax they play. While most MPs will work with any bass, some are designed specifically for vintage American style bass saxes, while others are designed for short wrap (Selmer style) horns. There are also MPs made of wildly different materials.
What follows is a listing of the various current production MP options for bass saxophone.
Hard Rubber/Ebonite
Caravan Bass Saxophone Mouthpiece
Company Description
The Caravan Bass Saxophone Mouthpiece is made by converting a Caravan Baritone Saxophone Mouthpiece through the process of refacing it by hand to make it more suitable for the bass. This produces a vintage-style mouthpiece for the bass since the Caravan Baritone Mouthpiece is a vintage-style large-body mouthpiece very similar to the baritone/bass mouthpieces manufactured mostly in the period 1920-1940 in the U.S., with just different facings to best suit each instrument. (These early bass saxophone mouthpieces typically had a single “B” stamped onto the surface near the manufacturer’s trade mark or to one side of the body just off the table for the reed.) The proprietary facing changes the suitability of the mouthpiece somewhat away from the range and voicing appropriate for the baritone saxophone and, in turn, much better enables the mouthpiece to produce the quality and depth of sound needed for the bass, especially the lower tones, while providing the convenience of using baritone-saxophone reeds. The tip opening of the mouthpiece is around .075 in. and can be customized somewhat either direction. (This mouthpiece is not recommended for use as a baritone saxophone mouthpiece because of its tendency to voice the pitch a little low on that instrument.) The identification “BS” is stamped onto the converted mouthpiece to the right of the base of the table. NOTE: Order Rovner 4R (“Bass/Large Baritone”) ligature to fit, available on the Rovner Ligature page of this web site.
PRICE NOTE: The Bass Saxophone Mouthpiece price is the price of a Baritone Mouthpiece plus a specially discounted price for the refacing.
AVAILABILITY: A few of these specially created Bass Saxophone mouthpieces are normally kept in stock and are available for immediate shipping, no delays, although immediate availability may vary and cannot be assured in every case.
REGARDING BORE DIMENSION: The Caravan bass saxophone mouthpiece can now be provided with the shank bore reamed out slightly to 18 mm to accommodate some modern instruments that have this larger diameter. There is a modest charge for this modification. To access the purchase page, click the right arrow at the bottom of this product page, then do likewise at the bottom of the Mouthpiece Refacing Service page. On the next page, you will be able to add the bore enlargement to your shopping cart.
DON’T MISS THIS IMPORTANT NOTE! This large vintage-style hard-rubber mouthpiece requires a ligature with a circumference of nearly 5 inches. These are not common or easily found. If you need a ligature for this mouthpiece, the properly sized Rovner ligature is available on this web site at a significant discount and is an excellent alternative.
Source: caravanmouthpieces.com
Where To Buy
These Caravan Bass Saxophone MPs are available directly through the company’s website.
Geller Blackbird Bass Saxophone
If you have not heard of the Munich-based MP maker Geller, then be prepared to be amazed. This is the company that manufactures the MPs for the Benedikt Eppelsheim saxophones. Yes, these MPs are that good. These bass pieces are also designed for use on contrabass and subcontrabass saxophones. Specifically, these would also be suitable for the different variety of Tubax. I suggest you contact them if you have a contra or larger made by a company other than Eppelsheim, to discuss their suitability.
Company’s Description
Bass saxophone mouthpieces from Geller-Ebonit are specially designed for the saxophones of the instrument maker Benedikt Eppelsheim with an S- neck bore of 20mm. Of course, 18mm instruments of all other manufacturers are also possible….
Bass saxophone mouthpieces from Geller Ebonit are characterized by an extremely direct response and are suitable
for bass as well as double [contra] and sub-double bass [subcontrabass] saxophones.Source: geller-ebonit.com
Bass MP Facing Chart for Geller Blackbird
| #4 | 1.7 mm | .067″ |
| #5 | 2.3 mm | .091″ |
| #6 | 2.4 mm | .094″ |
| #7 | 2.5 mm | .098″ |
| #7* | 2.65 mm | .104″ |
| #8 | 2.8 mm | .110″ |
| #8* | 2.9 mm | .114″ |
| #9 | 3.0 mm | .118″ |
| #10 | 3.1 mm | .122″ |
Source: geller-ebonit.com
Dealer’s Description
My favourite music store in Germany, Thomann, sells these pieces, and offers us the following info on them:
Geller Blackbird Bass Saxophone 6; mouthpiece for bass saxophone; tip opening: 2,40 mm; facing length: 26 mm; chamber: oval; material: ebonite; easy blowing; powerful tone with control and intonation; great assertiveness and stability; incl. gold-plated brass ligature, cap and velvet pouch; made in Germany
Source: thomann.de
Custom Pieces Available
If you are looking for a special MP that is induvial to you; customized or adapted in a specific way; or perhaps a copy of an existing piece you already have, Geller is more than happy to accommodate your request.
Where To Buy
When it comes to buying a Geller bass MP, you have a couple of options.
- You can buy directly from Geller through their website. The advantage there might be if you want a tip opening that is either smaller or larger than what their dealer regularly carries. Or if you want customizations made to your piece, then ordering directly is the way to go.
- The second option is buying from their dealer, Thomann, for slightly less. If Thomann has the size you want in stock, then that would be a viable option for sure.
Bass Sax Mouthpiece by Rheuben Allen (Hard Rubber)
Company’s Description
If you want great response and the real bass saxophone sound then this is the mouthpiece for you… It comes with a Rovner Cap & Ligature or Metal traditional Cap & Ligature… your choice.
Description
Bass Sax Mouthpiece by Rheuben Allen is made of Hard Rubber here in the United States…
The bass saxophone is one of the largest members of the saxophone family—larger than the more commonly encountered baritone saxophone. It was the first type of saxophone presented to the public, when Adolphe Sax presented a bass saxophone in C at an exhibition in Brussels in 1841. The modern bass saxophone is a transposing instrument pitched in B♭, an octave below the tenor saxophone. The bass saxophone is not commonly used in any music, but it is heard on some 1920s jazz recordings; in free jazz; and in the saxophone choir or “large ensemble” tradition.
The instrument was first used in 1844, both by Hector Berkioz in an arrangement of his Chant sacred, and by Georges Kastner in his opera Le Dernier Roi de Judas In the 1950s and 1960s it enjoyed a brief vogue in orchestrations for musical theater: Leonard Berstein’s original score for West Side Story includes bass saxophone, as does Merdeith [sic] Wilson’s Music. Australian composer Percy Granger r and American composer Warren Benson = have championed the use of the instrument in their music for concert band.
Although bass saxophones in C were made for orchestral use, modern instruments are in B♭. This puts them a perfect fourth lower than the baritone sax and an octave lower than the tenor sax. The range is similar to that of the B♭ contrabass clarinet. . Music is written in treble clef, just as for the other saxophones, with the pitches sounding two octaves and a major second lower than written. As with most other members of the saxophone family, the lowest written note is the B♭ below the staff—sounding as a concert A♭ in the first octave (~ 51.9 Hz). By the way Benedikt Eppelsheim has recently been making bass saxophones to low A, same extension like in the baritone saxophone. This sounds as a concert G in the first octave. (~ 48 Hz)
Until the start of the 21st century, the largest existing member of the saxophone family was the rare contrabass, pitched in E♭, a perfect fifth lower than the bass. Inventor Adolphe Sax had a patent for a sub-contrabass (or bourdon saxophone), but apparently never built a fully functioning instrument. In 1999, German wind instrument maker Benedikt Eppelsheim introduced the subcontrabass tubax, a modified saxophone pitched in B♭ an octave below the bass saxophone.
How to read Model No: RABSHR-Mp Bass Sax Mouthpiece by Rheuben Allen
R = Rheuben
A = Allen
B = Bass
S = Saxophone
H = Hard
R = Rubber
– = –
Mp = MouthpieceSource: rheubenallen.com
Where to buy
You can buy these American-made, hard rubber bass MPs directly from the company itself.
Selmer S80 Mouthpiece For Bass Saxophone
Company’s Description
Available for the entire range of saxophones, the S80 mouthpiece has achieved an unprecedented level of popularity and is widely regarded as the reference.
This bass saxophone mouthpiece is characterized by its very warm grained, broad and full toned sound.
- Table opening: C* (2.10 mm).
- Table length: 30 mm.
- Chamber: round.
- Included: mouthpiece cushion.
When you buy this mouthpiece on our website, you will receive a ligature as a gift. [$50 if bought separately]
Source: selmer.fr
Where to buy
Selmer has a worldwide dealer network. You can order one through any authorized Selmer dealer. Or, you can order it directly from Selmer Paris, and get a complimentary lig with it. (No word on a cap though.)
Vandoren V5 Bass Saxophone Mouthpiece
Company’s description
The V5 series is characterized by a traditional round chamber.
Source: vandoren.fr
| OPENING 1/100 MM |
210 |
| FACING LENGTH | Medium |
Where to buy
Vandoren has a global dealer network. To make sure you are getting an authentic item, as opposed to a counterfeit, you can always check the Authentication Site the company has set up.
N.B.
I got a new V5 bass MP with my Couf bass when I got it in 2021. Many Keilwerth bass players I have spoken with like the V5 with their horns, and I can see why. It works extremely well and is extremely versatile. I have started using it all the time. It also works really well on the short wrap Jinbao-made stencil I played weekly for the first half of 2024.
Metal
Jody Jazz DV Bass
Company’s Description
What Is the DV Bass Saxophone Mouthpiece?
The DV Bass is a state of the art Bass sax mouthpiece, finally. The DV Bass will appeal to the Bass sax player looking for a mouthpiece that gives the Bass sax the quicker and more immediate response of the Tenor sax. The mouthpiece is based on our popular DV model but has several modifications, the most significant being a very deep chamber tuned to the Bass sax and a new feature I’m calling the hyperbolic chamber which rounds out the tone. Importantly also, the DV Bass mouthpiece uses baritone sax reeds! Bass sax reeds are hard to find and cost more but the DV Bass uses baritone sax reeds, so no need to search out bass sax reeds.
Effortless Power & Beauty
Here, nature, science and imagination combine to create a revolutionary new saxophone mouthpiece. Jody Espina has designed the JodyJazz DV (U.S. Patent No. 7,470,844) using proportions and principles found in nature. For the most effortless playing experience of your life, we invite you to try the DV Bass.
Three Goals in Creating the DV Series of Saxophone Mouthpieces
- To create the most efficient sax mouthpiece possible. That means that there are more harmonics present in the sound and therefore the projection of this Bass sax mouthpiece is huge.
- To give a more free blowing experience to the Bass saxophone.
- To have a big fat mid-range and bottom end while having more clarity of tone than is usually present in Bass sax mouthpieces.
Source: jodyjazz.com
JodyJazz DV Bass Saxophone Mouthpiece Available Tip Openings
6 = .100
7 = .110
8 = .120 …
What Does The DV Do?
- Bigger Fatter Tone
- Effortless Playing
- More Harmonics
- Cleaner Articulation
- Power and Projection
- Unbelievable Altissimo
- Improved Intonation
How Does The DV Do It?
- Secondary window
- Golden section proportioning
- Proprietary CNC facing technology
- Perfect radius facing curve
- Perfect reed/Tip match
- 24 kt heavy gold plating
- Hand finished baffle, tip rail and table
- Play tested by Jody Espina
Source: jodyjazz.com
Not Just For Bass
Where To Buy
Jody Jazz has a global store network. If there is no dealer near you, then you can order directly from the company itself through their website.
Lebayle “Rosie” Bass Saxophone Mouthpiece
The “Rosie” bass MP has been a joint effort between master mouthpiece maker Fred Lebayle, and New York saxophonist & multi-instrumentalist, Brian Landrus. Over approx. 6+ years, the two men worked together to develop a new type of bass saxophone MP. The “Rosie” by Lebayle is suitable for both short and long wrap horns, and by extension, modern and vintage bass saxophones.
Distributor Description
[T]his is a new metal Rosie model bass saxophone mouthpiece by master craftsman Fred Lebayle. This piece was handmade from a solid brass bar and then rhodium (platinum) plated. Lebayle pieces are completely handmade without the use of CNC, which gives a unique character to each pieces. Each mouthpiece has a unique serial number. They have a 18mm ID so they fit on Selmer bass saxophones. The Rosie Bass uses both bass saxophone and baritone reeds. I personally prefer the Rico bass sax/contrabass clarinet reeds, but others work well also. Many bass sax mouthpieces are made for baritone reeds, and I find it’s impossible to get as large of a tone with a baritone reed. The Rosie has a large chamber with rounded sidewalls to achieve a rich tone, while maintaining power from the vintage Otto Link-style rollover baffle. It has a large amount of power, and can also subtone beautifully. This is one of 15 Rosie bass pieces made this year. Each mouthpiece is handmade in Fred’s workshop in France and then shipped to me to be plated and distributed.
Source: eBay.com
Where To Buy
Brian is the exclusive North American distributor for this Lebayle bass MP, which he sells through his eBay store. Because these are made by hand, and in extremely limited numbers, there are never many of any size in the store. Each year Brian normally orders about 15 or so. At present he has none in stock, but is hopeful more will be arriving later in 2024.
N.B.
I have been playing on a Lebayle “Rosie” bass MP since late fall 2023. I use it as my primary bass MP on the Jinbao-made, Sakkusu bass sax that belongs to a friend of mine whenever I play that sax in the sax ensemble. It is really a great piece.
I have a review of it nearly completed. I am just awaiting word from Brian when the next batch of bass pieces might be available before I publish the review.
3D Printed
Syos has found a player who is among the most successful and instantly recognizable among the current crop of bass sax players, Michael Wilbur, of the bands Moon Hooch, and Thundersmack. Together with Wilbur, Syos developed a couple of custom MPs for bass that are available for everyone to buy.
Yes, I wrote a couple. Why? Because Wilbur plays both short, and long wrap bass saxophones.
Syos uses a proprietary material called SCAL3D in their state-of-the-art facility. Their MPs are all available 10 colours:
Bass Signature Saxophone Mouthpiece (For Modern Sax) – Michael Wilber
For modern sax, they really mean short wrap, Jinbao-made stencils like the Sakkusu that Wilbur uses.
Company’s Description
“I love my signature Syos Bass Mouthpiece. It gives me the perfect balance of power, flexibility and control. It’s loud but can also be played whisper quiet. I’d recommend this mouthpiece for anyone that is looking for a strong, warm yet cutting bass sound.” – MICHAEL WILBUR
This mouthpiece has been designed for a Modern Bass Saxophone, if you play a Vintage Bass Saxophone, go for the Michael Wilbur’s old signature model. This mouthpiece is specially designed to be played with Baritone reeds.
CHARACTERISTICS
This new signature mouthpiece is much more powerful and bright than the previous one. It has been designed for a modern bass saxophone so it’s also shorter. This mouthpiece is a rocket!
Tip Openings: 5, 5, 5*, 6, 6*, 7, 7*, 8, 8*, 9
Michael Wilbur plays with a 7 tip opening.
Source: syos.co/en
Where to buy
Syos sells their products directly to consumers through their website. As a matter of fact, they state right on their site: “Our online store is the safest and fastest way to get your hands on Syos mouthpieces and accessories for saxophone and clarinet.”
Bass Signature Saxophone Mouthpiece (For Vintage Sax) – Michael Wilber
Company’s Description
“The Syos Bass mouthpiece gives me more flexibility, power and dynamics on my bass than any other piece I’ve played. I absolutely love it. Syos crushed it once again!”
This mouthpiece has been designed for a Vintage Conn horn so it will be too long for a more recent bass saxophone. This mouthpiece works with baritone reeds.
CHARACTERISTICS
This mouthpiece specially made for Michael Wilbur and its bass saxophone will be perfect for you il you are looking for a balanced and powerful sound, flexible with a lot of projection and easy to play.
Tip Openings: 5, 5*, 6, 6*, 7, 7*, 8, 8*, 9
Michael Wilbur plays with a 7 tip opening.
Source: Source: syos.co/en
Where to buy
Syos sells their products directly to consumers through their website. As a matter of fact, they state right on their site: “Our online store is the safest and fastest way to get your hands on Syos mouthpieces and accessories for saxophone and clarinet.”
Bass Custom Saxophone Mouthpieces
If the above 2 options—with the variety of tip openings and colour choices—from Syos aren’t enough for you, then you can always have the company make a custom piece for you. Just click through their questions and fill in the blanks, and you’re on your way to having a custom piece made for you.
Bass Saxophone Mouthpiece
Company’s Description
The ultimate affordable bass sax mouthpiece! This ain’t just a refaced bari piece. It was designed from the ground up to give your instrument better response and a more “vintage” sound. Unlike other low cost bass sax mouthpieces, this mouthpiece is hand finished to ensure that the tip and rails are formed properly. Problem notes like middle D are greatly improved and projection is improved as well. Standard bore is 18mm, though 19.5mm is available for the Eppelsheim bass sax. Standard tip opening is 2.8mm, which I find to be the most responsive without being overly tiring on one’s embouchure, however different facings are available on request.
Works well with most large (Selmer sized) bari sax ligatures.
Source: jdwoodwind.com
Where to buy
JD Woodwinds sells their bass saxophone mouthpiece directly through their website.
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