The Ultimate Pro Jazz Sax Mouthpiece? BSS M-series review!

Dr. Wally reviews the $450, premium jazz mouthpiece from Boston Sax Shop!
00:00 Introduction
3:12 Specification Revelation
4:50 High End Test: Palm Key Delight
6:20 Flexibility
7:05 Lyrical Litigation
8:00 Testing Articulation
9:08 Value for Money?
11:06 WARNING!

[@noeldelarosa731]

Not going to lie. More than half the reason I watch these videos is to hear this cat play. Such a great sound on whatever setup he uses.

[@drwallysax]

Well you just made my morning, thanks Noel :)

[@pbnj4lyfe298]

Yeah, it doesn't matter what mp he plays.. he sounds great. I liked his sound on the ASC Mistral too.

[@bostonsaxshop]

Thanks Wally!!! 👍 ❤ 🎷

[@alessandrovillatoro]

I’ve had my M Series for about 4 months and I don’t see myself changing pieces anytime soon. I love versatility of sound and dynamics I can get with it. It really shines in straight ahead jazz. I’ve found (my preference) that rigotti gold jazz reeds work best on it

[@martincommunications5381]

Love the thoroughness of your reviews.

[@drwallysax]

Thanks, I sure have fun checking out saxophone stuff!

[@RB-cp3br]

A very thorough review taking into account both the "technical" aspects and what it does to the sound (side rails, longer baffle) plus what it may or may not do for you based on your level of play. And of course the no nonsense approach and sense of humour that I've gotten used to watching this channel 🙂

[@Harako15]

I love the fact that you reject affiliate sales so that you are as honest as possible. Great vid Dr. Wallace🤝

[@drwallysax]

Thanks friend, happy practicing!

[@alejandrosantana5133]

I am convinced no matter how much he spends on the mouthpiece, or how well it’s crafted, Dr. Wally Wallace can make anything sound priceless!

[@DouglasHampton]

I bought his Voyager multitool and I love it. It doesn't replace my Reed Geek (or any of my other tools), by any stretch; but, it's a great little tool to keep on you for when you need something in a pinch. Even if you have to make a quick adjustment DURING a performance, it's small, black, and does the job quickly. To quote Alton Brown, "I love multitaskers". Also, having it get cross-country in 3 days was truly impressive. I bought a book from a company in Brooklyn at the same time, and that dawdled its way over to here. Exact same shipping (3 to 5 business days, Ground), and the book took about a week and a half to make nearly the same trip.

[@bostonsaxshop]

Glad you like it Doug! 😄

[@TomEPSax58]

Really Great review Dr. Wally, and glad to make your acquaintance via this review. Your sound is gorgeous and I subscribed to your channel. Please ask Jack to get more Ambassador Cases, I’m a road dog and really need new cases and want that one! All The Best!

[@drwallysax]

I'll see what's up!

[@mikedipasquale822]

Spectacular discussion! Thanks Wally

[@SaxSpy]

there's something special about the hard rubber finishing of the bss pieces. i havent seen it on other modern pieces, especially around the rails/tip and the matte finish is classy. also youre pink salt joke had me cracking up

[@bostonsaxshop]

❤

[@drwallysax]

It's a nice finish, for sure! It's got a nice subtle richness to it. handsome lil' fella, like jack.

[@markwhite-what-da-jazz]

Thanks for the review. I will definitely check out this mouthpiece. I found my favorite mouthpiece that is great for playing jazz and pop music (Theo Wanne Gaia 4), but this Boston Sax mouthpiece sounds like the ultimate jazz mouthpiece. I love the Boston Sax reeds. They are warm and dark sounding, but with some nice edge to the sound. It's always an art to match up sax equipment. If you have a very warm sounding mouthpiece and a very warm sounding neck or sax, then the Boston Sax reeds might be too dark sounding for you (unless you prefer that extra warm sound). I have used these reeds for jazz gigs with my warmer sounding neck (Yamaha E1) and my medium warm/bright mouthpiece (Theo Wanne Gaia 4). I have also used these reeds for dance club gigs with my brighter sounding neck (Yamaha V1), and the same Gaia 4 mouthpiece and I can play extreme dynamics with these reeds. I love these reeds on alto and tenor. I have the Yamaha Custom 875 tenor and the Custom 875 EXII alto. On soprano, I prefer the Roberto's Winds reeds with very little edge to the sound or the D"Addario Reserve reeds with no edge to the sound.

[@mrmcnewjr]

Great review. I have this mouthpiece and it plays masterfully. Jack and his crew are the best and are great to work with!

[@bostonsaxshop]

Thank you Marvin!!

[@drwallysax]

Excellent, happy practicing Marvin!

[@PJBoyle]

I have had great experiences with BSS. Started with reeds and have purchased an alto case and tenor neck along with several accessories. Always great service and communication.

[@bostonsaxshop]

Thanks so much PJ!

[@drwallysax]

He's a good fella, for sure :) Now go practice that new Yanigisawa PJ!

[@adamgomusic]

I love BSS. Spent an afternoon there trying out the Nexus horns (alto and tenor)…extremely fun to play…I ended up walking away with a BSS neck for my ref 54 tenor and a new neckstrap. Didn’t get to meet Jack personally, but his team there was wonderful to work with. Definitely interested in the mouthpieces, you sound great on it! You mention Legere’s and the fit with small side rails. I recently got into synthetics…I wonder how this mouthpiece would pair with the Forestone reed? It’s synthetic but not plastic. Great video!

[@ChipTheMusicMan]

Been waiting for this one 🤩

[@drwallysax]

Hope it's the worth the wait, very fun to play :)

[@ChipTheMusicMan]

@@drwallysax Totally, dude :)

[@williamgregory1848]

I keep hearing so much about the Boston Sax Shop! I’m going to have to check out their products.

[@jazzbariman]

Don't, you will be disappointed.

[@drwallysax]

I've been very pleased, super consistent reeds and cool accessories.

[@joelsandford8703]

Just snagged this piece and absolutely love it. Most even mouthpiece I’ve played throughout the range. First piece I’ve found that has made me want to empty out the mpc drawer.

[@davidolahmusic]

Love this review. Thanks a lot. I play the BSS reeds from the march 2019 and i love all of these products. I am very courious about this mouthpiece because i am very happy and satisfied with my vintage Meyer 5 M so i would like to try Jacks take on meyer. I can not wait for the S alto series and your review on it.

[@bostonsaxshop]

Thanks David!!

[@davidolahmusic]

@@bostonsaxshop i thank you, Jack for making the hard musicians life easier! 👍🙏🙂

[@bostonsaxshop]

@@davidolahmusic lol you're too kind!

[@bobblues1158]

" A clear transparent core". You do have a great way with words Doctor!!

[@drwallysax]

thanks Bob, trying my best to develop a vernacular around saxophone "feel" around equipment!

[@benhostetler268]

I love BSS products I have never been disappointed. I am currently saving for this MP and it’ll pair great with my Ref 54 alto.

[@drwallysax]

That would be a lovely pairing! I was playing this on my mark vi alto, felt right at home. Happy practicing!

[@pede1959]

Nice review. I do not play alto but use a BSS E Series Tenor mouth piece. Looks like the same material is used and the same craftsmanship is applied to the alto mouth piece. I can definitely say that some of the descriptions made like how it responds, evenness across registers and projection apply to the tenor mp as well.

[@bostonsaxshop]

Thanks Peter!!! 🙏

[@drwallysax]

The people I've heard playing the E-series sound fantastic, I look forward to trying one out (if I can find a tenor fingering chart) ;)

[@tsbulmer]

I'm far from a gearhead, but since meeting Jack back in '15, I have faith in him and his products enough that I'd use his stuff without hesitation.

[@bostonsaxshop]

🙏🙏🙏

[@drwallysax]

Right on Tom, where'd you meet jack?

[@tsbulmer]

@@drwallysax At his workshop - he did some work on my tenor and sold me a new case. We chatted for a bit and he made a heck of an impression, so it came as no surprise to me when his reeds and more took the saxophone world by storm.

[@bostonsaxshop]

@@tsbulmer Thanks so much Tom! Appreciate you sir!

[@clarinetninja]

Great information!

[@gangofgreenhorns2672]

I made my own alto mouthpiece and I filed the side rails down as thin as I could. Still do fine with Legere's. Where I have the most trouble is on silver/stainless mouthpieces bc it's so reflective.

[@drwallysax]

Man, your eyesight is better than mine 😅

[@joekappes8648]

Dr. Wally, I think between the Mark VI and this current set up you definitely sound better (at least to my ear) than you did on your Yamaha. Welcome to the Selmer club. I don’t know what it is specifically, but your tone now seems to have a little more character, more color to it , something that was just missing on the Yamaha. It’s interesting that the inconsistency from unit to unit is now touted as a feature. That used to be the bane of woodwind players that quality control was inconsistent from one to the other and you had to try three or five or 10 to find a good one. As far as value for money, I was initially skeptical. But with the material, the rails and the baffle, I’d say the quality control alone makes this probably worth it if you fall in love with the sound and feel. It would probably be very difficult for someone to make $200.00 molded mouthpiece and get the baffle and the rails even.

[@drwallysax]

Joe, don't you knock muh Yamaha! (kidding, I'm digging the vi)

[@gayetolanhatfield9695]

Thanks for the in depth review and beautiful playing, Dr. Wally. My wallet may be in trouble.........

[@petegalindez9961]

I’ve been loving my Boston Sax Reeds for alto! Black box…

[@zeldemalevitz4996]

I dig my M. There is no substitute for excellence. Imo, everything I’ve gotten from Jack is excellent: well thought out with precision manufacture. He is my Zero Defects man!

[@bostonsaxshop]

Thank you Zelde!! Your support as I've grown my small business has always meant the world to me. Appreciate you! 👍 ❤ 🎷

[@zeldemalevitz4996]

@@bostonsaxshop back atcha Jack!🎶❤️🎶

[@grantkoeller8911]

Looks like a fantastic bebop alto mouthpiece!!!!

[@drwallysax]

It's impressive for sure, fun sensation to play (you know the feeling when it's just "right," Grant?)

[@Harako15]

Been saving up since the last time I watched this review, will be playing it soon. Definitely glad I don’t use legere reeds😅

[@bilbostoy]

The Boston sax shop has very good customer relations. Jack has always returned my emails. The Voyager saxophone tool is great. I use it nearly everyday for reeds and adjustments to my horn. I also have a reed case which is very classy. I had a issue with some alto reeds and have not bought any since.

[@drwallysax]

Great communication for sure. Sorry you had reed issues, I've ordered a dozen or so boxes and have been very pleased - reeds can be hit/miss at times, obviously. Happy practicing!

[@bilbostoy]

@@drwallysax Hi Doctor, the reeds were very playable but after two days they developed mold. I have never had that problem before. I really enjoy practicing "Out of Nowhere". Never really paid attention to it before but now I have listened to Ella, Bird, Coleman Hawkins as well as Mulligan and Desmond. Very cool.

[@rossmazer6980]

Studied with C Bitty for a while. Monster player and amazingly nice guy.

[@davidolahmusic]

What about reviewing the s series alto mouthpiece, please? 🙏

[@Klimosj]

I thing, legere users will be fine. I use jodyjazz DV, which has similarily thin and precise rails and legere signature reeds, with ordinary rovner starligature. The reeds fit perfectly. It take like 30 seconds to adjust the position and the sound is just what I aim for.

[@drwallysax]

this was not my experience, but glad it's working for you!

[@hflynnjr]

How is the projection on this compared to other similar mouthpieces? One thing mentioned in reviews of some of the tenor mouthpieces is that if you need a good amount of projection, that maybe the BSS mouthpieces are not the right fit. How would this hold up in a big band or in a setting with electronic instruments?

[@drwallysax]

Hey Hank, plenty of projection. I think those reviews are likely slapping on a reed and not finding the correct pairing (at least for the alto). Given his artist roster that play on them, I don't think there's a projection issue (I mean, world famous NY players who play with VERY loud rhythm sections. Just my perspective ;)

[@Jim_Michael]

Boston Sax Shop products are very high quality and Jack is a great professional who cares about detail and performance for his customers.

[@bostonsaxshop]

Thank you Jim!!

[@drwallysax]

Very much agree, he's in it for the long haul and really cares about the sax-community.

[@drronclark]

But does it sound good on a YAS 62 with a Yany AWO10 neck and Fibracell 2.5 reeds (with Cannonball Jasper pearls) in 61% humidity on a Tuesday at sea level? 😅 Just kidding. I have been avidly following your KZbin channel for a while now, and just love your alto sound. I hear nothing but good things about BSS’s products and service. However. I suspect you could make a Chinese replica of a 3D copy of a Yamaha 4C sound good on a Kazoo. Your alto sound is like Paul Desmond and Phil Woods had a love child (is that biologically possible?). I’m still in love with your 56 mouthpiece, thinking about getting a 56 select, now that I know I love it. Thanks for another great review. By the way, would love to see you review Jay Metcalf’s BetterSax just for the sheer objectivity of your reviews.

[@sonholee5769]

I think there is a bit more zip in your sound with this piece or my morning dark roast has an extra bit of zip... :P Great review.

[@drwallysax]

Definitely the coffee :) Happy practicing Sonho!

[@sonholee5769]

@@drwallysax 😀 hahaha! Thanks

[@jamesmurphy2206]

I recently purchased this mouthpiece and love it. It is far superior to the Meyers I have played.

[@drwallysax]

Hey, glad you like it! Great lil' mouthpiece for sure!

[@bostonsaxshop]

Thanks James!! Glad you're happy!

[@j.r.1210]

It's interesting that you say that slight variations from one M mouthpiece to another -- a feature that in a different mouthpiece context might be described as "inconsistency" -- is in fact desirable. The trend in mouthpiece manufacturing and marketing seems to be in the opposite direction, with the great consistency (and therefore replaceability) of CNC-machined pieces touted as an asset. But even makers of boutique-style mouthpieces that utilize a lot of hand work don't typically tout variability as an advantage, do they? ("You might get a really great one ... or maybe you'll want to try again.") Does the Boston Sax Shop itself agree that no two of these pieces are exactly alike?

[@drwallysax]

I'm not sure how they characterize it, but obviously there's more variation when humans are involved. You're right, current CNC machining (especially Theo Wanne's production) is incredibly consistent. Hand facing can "optimize" the machined facing - but anytime a human drags a mouthpiece across sandpaper, there's some variables introduced. No idea how Jack or others view it.

[@beckyn9338]

Hi Dr. Wally. You sound fantastic. Is it the mouthpiece?? Not sure. Might just be you! I have the Nexus for alto, also made by Jack, as you know. Great piece with one exception. It is so tight on my cork, I can barely get it in tune. NOT GOOD. Everything else is amazingly good!! It makes me very sad. I consider a new mouthpiece every day, but I spent well over $400 on that one. It’s been 2 years now, but still… it was painful. Would love to try the E series, but will I run into the same issue? Who knows. BTW I have had this horn for over 40 years and never have I had a mouthpiece not fit properly. Just saying.

[@pbnj4lyfe298]

How does it compare to the ASC Mistral? How did the Mistral play on your VI?

[@drwallysax]

Very different. The ASC is more "open" and a bit brighter. Both play beautifully on my mark vi (all 3 Selmers i tried recently)

[@pbnj4lyfe298]

Thank you!

[@gosneygosney]

How does this compare to Jody Jazz HR?

[@drwallysax]

Hey Mark, afraid I haven't played the Jody Jazz!

[@gosneygosney]

@@drwallysax I would love to see your thoughts on this, thanks. ill be watching.

[@youtubebanddirector]

First!

[@WilliamCarterII]

I'm personally always skeptical of new instrument makes and stuff. Its always giving "gimmicky." Its good to see these videos tho. I did try the boston sax shop reeds but didn't like them at all. But I've been playing theo wayne and otto link for a long time. idt I'll change lol

[@drwallysax]

The M-series definitely doesn't seem "gimmicky," I know what you mean about some other brands. jack is doing tried and true with more attention to detail and craftsmanship. It's not for everyone, but he does it well!

[@WilliamCarterII]

@@drwallysax thanks for this though. If i see these brands in the future i won't roll my eyes 😂 I'll think "that one sax teacher played them. It's probably good!"

[@jazzbariman]

BSS is not a shop I find I can trust any more and do not recommend the company to anyone. I have found his reeds to be very inconsistent and poor. The neck straps he sells are so poor that they do not support the sax. My question to you is do you think that the mouthpiece that you received was one that was adjusted in any way before it was sent to you or do you think it was "off the rack?" I have to wonder if the rails will hold up over the course of a year or more. My guess is that they will not. I am not sure that anyone would now right now how long this rubber will last. Again, I just do not trust BSS any more due to my previous buying experiences, contact with Jack, and his IG live interactive posts. In my opinion, BSS not worthy of my support based on the hundreds of dollars that I have paid for what has turned out to be crap.