Mindi Abair / Theo Wanne Alto Mouthpiece Review

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Chris Godber reviews and play tests the MINDI ABAIR mouthpiece by THEO WANNE.
My set up in this video:
P. Mauriat 67RX alto saxophone, Mindi Abair Size 7 mouthpiece, Legere Signature Series Reed.
Buy Mindi Abair mouthpiece here: theowanne.com/...
Silverstein Omni cap: www.silverstei...
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#theowanne #mindiabair #mouthpiece #review #saxophone #saxophonist

[@GrupoLegalGebeloff]

Thanks for feedback. I heard her live last night. Thinking of giving the mouthpiece a try.

[@richardjones990]

I have never tried that particular mouth piece but it sounds fantastic on your Influence. Your sound comes jumping out at us and that's a good thing. I use a Theo Wanna Gaia 2 on the same alto, hard rubber.

[@ChrisGodbersax]

Thanks Richard. It's funny how the perspective changes after recording. I didn't like it as much just playing it in the house, but when I recorded it I heard it differently and changed my mind...I must have heard what I heard in it at NAMM that first time haha.

[@musicianmattmattox]

I love mine! I play on a legere signature series reeds and they just make this mouthpiece pop

[@johnskamnakis2501]

Great videos Chris and great sound! How does this MINDI ABAIR compare to Vandoren Jumbo Java A35?

[@ChrisGodbersax]

Thanks John. You know, I really love that jumbo java mouthpiece, it's a lot of bang for the buck and the reason I had to do that video. Though I prefer metal mouthpieces personally, I'll probably never part with it as it's a special piece and such a bargain. The Mindi piece is a very narrow metal piece and similar in that it's a high baffle. The Jumbo I'd say maybe has more warmth to it overall due mainly to the material (though it's still very bright of course) The Mindi piece has more of a distinctive 'buzz' to the sound, especially in the lower register where those frequencies seem to show it better...reminds me a bit of the 80's vintage beechler bellite I used to have, but I actually like this a lot better. I thought it was too bright for me initially playing it in the house, but once I recorded this and listened back I actually liked it a lot more. The other difference between this and the jumbo java is the price of course, the mindi mouthpiece costs nearly 3 times as much. Is it 3 times the mouthpiece? Well that's for you to decide :)

[@johnskamnakis2501]

@@ChrisGodbersax Thanks a lot Chris. You have been extremely helpful, more than all the videos I have watched about these two mouthpieces put together!

[@hazlitt1]

@@ChrisGodbersax Thank you for your honesty Chris. Very rare these days.

[@escuderosax]

Good review! Can I ask you which microphone did you use to record this? Thanks!

[@ChrisGodbersax]

Akg 414 xls

[@escuderosax]

@@ChrisGodbersax thank you!

[@DERDM]

How does this mouthpiece compare to the Jumbo Java you had on a previous video?

[@georgetucci9443]

Chris, I am interested in knowing what kind of DAW and effect units you use when recording. I notice that you have little or no Reverb, delay, etc; yet the sax tone is quality. Is it compression that you use to make it blend so well with the backing track? Would be nice to know your setup (recording software, etc.) when you have time. I'm also an Alto player. I tried the same MP out and loved it. I didn't have the money at the time. Two weeks later it was gone.

[@ChrisGodbersax]

Thanks George, for this video I recorded into LOGIC Pro X as I recorded the video and sync'd it up afterwards. No compression, just a little eq and minimal reverb with a short tail to keep it from being too dry, but I try not to over do it with effects on these videos as I don't want to take away from showcasing the nuances of the mouthpiece. I actually just listed this mouthpiece for sale on ebay for $399 currently if you're interested. I bought it just to do the review on it as I was curious if I would still like it. I really do and tempting to keep it, but I have too many alto pieces as is and just played the new West Coast Sax Soul Machine on alto (and tenor) and doing a review on it now so I'll probably end up keeping that one. Stay tuned!

[@kevinpatsax3101]

Hey great review, what reeds would you recommend that pair well with this mouthpiece?

[@ChrisGodbersax]

Hi thanks. It was a surprisingly reed friendly mouthpiece, I did the video with my usual Legere Signature series reeds, but it also paired well with the various Rico (D'addario) reeds I had on hand such as the Jazz, Plasticovers and orange box.

[@kevinpatsax3101]

@@ChrisGodbersax I've been using the mouthpiece for over a year now. I've been alternating between a legere signature reed and a Vandoren V16 reed. Both play well, but I'm trying to find a reed that's best for a more jazzier sound that works well the mouthpiece.

[@britainantony8932]

@@kevinpatsax3101 Have you tried Fibracell?

[@doctorsax_cz]

Perfect💥🎷👌

[@MYFAVORITECHRISTMAS]

Theo has mouthpiece caps, now.

[@SlavikMuzyka]

It's #7 or #8 ???

[@ChrisGodbersax]

7

[@lomcovers2024]

Your tone is very precise and relaxed, big and fat. Btw, I noticed something very interesting. It seems to me that your embouchure is pretty much relaxed. And my impression is that you need to have rock strong muscles for good embouchure. So, what is the truth? :D P.S. Yeah, I am new to saxophone. :D

[@ChrisGodbersax]

Thanks. Yes, you shouldn't have to struggle to blow through your instrument, it should feel like an extension of you (after you have a good bit of experience anyway ) and therefore you should be relaxed for the most part, even with altissimo most people clinch up or bite down on the mouthpiece way too much making their mouth do more of the work than their throat. Also a lot of newer players (and some older) play on stiffer reeds than is necessary and that influences your tone as well, not necessarily in a good way. When I was in school it was like a competition who could play on the thicker reed, in the end all it did was make us sound bad and work way harder than we needed to. I'm an asthmatic so I don't want to stress my breathing by blowing any harder than I have to, less is more. The key is finding a reed brand and strength that works well with your mouthpieces; that lets you use the full range of the horn, not too soft that you can't hit the high notes fully, but not too hard that the low notes don't speak well. It's a lot of trial and error, but for me a 2.5 works great most of the time. As far as the strong muscles of the embouchure, that just comes with time and playing, you're going to develop those muscles playing regardless.

[@lomcovers2024]

@@ChrisGodbersax What a powerhouse you are! You really amazed me with the details in your answer! It really means a lot to me. Thanks! Kind regards and best of luck!

[@ChrisGodbersax]

@@lomcovers2024 Thanks and you're very welcome. You may like my new project that just released on all digital platforms called "West Coast Soul" Check it out here: www.chrisgodber.com/music

[@lomcovers2024]

@@ChrisGodbersax Sure will, thanks a lot! :D