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 Dave Guardala Mundstücke für Altosax, Tenorsax, Sopransax, Baritonsax

I“Written in „ CLARINO-TEST“ Issue 16 by Manuel Wolf September 2007”

If a saxophone giant like Michael Brecker (from the 29th March, 1949 to the 13th January, 2007) play an instrument, for many ambitious players is this motivation enough to test the suitable material once by oneself. Not only the instrument, but all relevant parts for play come in asks: Reeds, alternative necks and not least the mouthpiece. Here are nearly countless aspects which can be changed to influence the sound which can be generated with the mouthpiece. The supposed best mouthpiece of the world (from which also Michael Brecker a copy called his own) had disappeared for some years of the scene - the Hamburg music shop owner Nadir Ibrahimoglu lets the legendary mouthpieces resurrect now and advertises with the slogan " The Best is Back". Manuel Wolf took for clarino.test the popular mouthpieces scrutinise and confirms the slogan.

Indeed, unsightly rumours have recently become around and heavy reproaches against the legendary mouthpiece designer Dave Guardala, nevertheless, this does no demolition to the quality of his products. With his mouthpiece performed the Italian-born American Guardala Pionierjob: He was one of the first ones who produced the mouthpiece blanks with a CNC-milling machine from one piece. Before the mouthpiece had been casted in two parts and had been joined together

The Hamburg music shop PMS ( Professional Music Shop) was the first German distributor for Dave Guardala and received in 2005 the licence to produce Guardala mouthpieces and to distribute under the original trade name, few years after Guardala´s American partners had to announce bankruptcy. From the new production which are produced with the newest technical tools ( laser-steered CNC-milling machine) two Alto ( Alto King, New Crescent Alto) and five

Tenor ( MBII, Crescent, New Crescent, King, SuperKing )mouthpieces were send to test. All mouthpieces is common that no wish stays open. The response is excellent in all register, and no intonation problems are caused by the mouthpieces. Indeed, the tester Manuel Wolf found no problem tones. Really a lot of fun makes with the present Guardala mouthpieces the High notes. Sub tones against need a certain practise time - however, this is a normal thing on account of the necessary new embroshure technology

To get out even more advantages of the mouthpieces, Manuel Wolf recommends a silver Neck which fits well to the sound of the Guardala row. Here the test reports in the singles.

Crescent: This mouthpiece was named after the record by John Coltrane of 1963 and is made that it feels the sound of the big saxophonist. It has a small Baffle (look up clarino.infobox) and a big bore and is according to opinion of the tester ideally for Post-Bop. Who wants the sound of the "Crescent" a little bit more dark, he should also try out the " New Crescent ".

New Crescent: This mouthpiece was developed in the end of the 80s by Dave Guardala for his German distributor PMS. In comparison to "Crescent" the bore was increased a little bit to make the sound even darker. Manuel Wolf: " Try by all means“. It persuaded me with his beautifully soft response (which might be probably hardly to be topped) and compared with the "Crescent" even more flexible sound.

King: The tester took up this mouthpiece immediately in the row of his favourite mouthpieces. The sound of the "King" was patterned King Curtis. Besides, it is very flexible in his use: It offers enough power for rock concerts and pop concerts, however, it suits also very well for soft ballads, jazz standards and Bebop. It shines by his very quick response and, therefore, is also the first choice for Funk. Manuel Wolf: " More flexibility does not go. "

Super King: This mouthpiece is for everything which need even more power, indeed, the model is not as flexible as the " King" but saxophonsolo like in "my Heart" or "Best of all" are easily to realise, and that with the necessary power. " Technically seen the addition "Super" means that the "King" - mouthpiece has a higher Baffle and the bore and the chamber were adapted accordingly. According to the manufacturer "Super King" has the sharpest sound of all Guardala mouthpieces. The only small lack in the whole test appeared with "Super King" - indeed as purely optical: The mouthpiece had started to tarnish at the head. As said, this is only an optical lack, but with the price of 390 euros such a little thing should also not appear.

Mb II: The "MB II" is according to the manufacturer a hybrid of the Guardala-Model "Studio" (which is not available any more) and the original Michael Brecker-mouthpiece. Technically seen it has the high baffle of the "Studio" and the big bore of the Michael's Brecker model. In practice it shines by his incredibly fast and light response. It is suitable with his tonal qualities and his velvet-softy to be realise Sub tones very well for rock, pop and jazz - whereas it supports his quite own sound.

Alto King Gold-plated All saxophonists who could never make friends with an Alto metal mouthpiece should try this model absolutely. From the first tone it is convincing by a superb response , beautifully soft sub tones, light intonation and as light High notes. It has, actually, everything what one expects from an mouthpiece. Then when one gives properly air, one is overwhelmed by the power of this mouthpiece - without the sound would break out anytime. One always has the complete control of his tone. „ Finally, a metal mouthpiece for the Alto saxophone with which no wishes stay open."

New Crescent Alto: The Alto version of the " New Crescent " cannot persuade the tester completely. Indeed, Manuel Wolf certifies that it is a respectable mouthpiece for Alto saxophone, but, the sound became too sharp. " Maybe I was also spoilt by "King Gold-plated" too much. "

Summit

Often becomes a famous trade name to the heavy burden because of which a product can also fail. Quite differently behaves the Guardala-mouthpieces from the Hamburg production of PMS. None of all tested mouthpieces fell from the row - everything been convincing with great sound, good response and also intonation. Manuel Wolf put up for clarino.test his personal hit list for the different music directions:

Jazz: " New Crescent " - has the best response and the softest and darkest sound.

Rock / pop / Fusion / Funk: "King" - is the most flexible mouthpiece, brings the necessary power for rock and pop and generates an absolutely modern saxophone sound. In the ranking list immediately followed from "MB II" - it has a great response, a little bit centred sound and is not as aggressive as the "King". Advanced and ambitious saxophonists should make at least a test with the new Guardala-mouthpieces. Allowedly, the fun is not quite cheap - the tested mouthpieces cost 390.00 or 440,00 euros ("King Alto Gold-plated"). But the tonal and playful success does the issue to an investment which will certainly pay off.

The Guardala-mouthpieces from the PMS in Hamburg are delivered in the little leather pocket together with a ligature and cap. At special order (and against surcharge) the opening of the mouthpiece can be modified. Also an extra are the " handmade " - mouthpieces, with which the fine work on the blanks are made by hand.

However the absolute highlight for the tester was the " Alto King Gold-plated ". Manuel Wolf about the mouthpiece: " Finally, here is a great metal mouthpiece for alto saxophone with unlimited power. "

Manufacturer: Professional Music Shop

Material: reimbursed brass (silver-plated or gold-plated)

Accessories: GF Ligature, cap, little leather pocket

Specific feature: if requested the opening of the mouthpiece can be adapted individually

Recommended price: 390,00 euro (silver-plated) 440,00 euro (gold-plated) 590,00 euro (handmade, gold-plated - only for tenor saxophone)

Delivery time: it is informed on inquiry

Infos: PMS - Professional Music Shop Remzi Ibrahimoglu Gärtnerstrasse 122, 20253 Hamburg

Phone 0 40 / 4 91 00 88 - 89

Fax 0 40 / 4 01 43 71

e-mails: info@pms-music.de

www.pms-music.de

  Manuel Wolf>>> studied in the Richard Strauss's conservatoire in Munich clarinet, jazz saxophone and folk music. He did his military service with the mountain music corps done mixing parts churches and was for years a member in the Orchestra de Jeunes of d' Nowadays he is active as a music schoolteacher, free lance musician in different formations, as a composer, arranger and conductor.

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