Wally Wallace's Windy City Woodwinda 56 Mouthpiece Review

[@drwallysax]

Fantastic review. Detailed, fun, and informative! You really got to the heart of what we're aiming for. Also, you alto playing is Cool School-tastic! We gotta get together and play duets!

[@philbarone4603]

I love the fact that this guy actually pays for the products he reviews whereas all the others I see the reviewers get perks and incentives. That taints the review from the get go.

[@alice_atari]

I am very happy with mine. I would call it a small chamber, but it definitely keeps a darker and more mellow sound. In any case, it's very good for the price.

[@peedrowchan-man102]

It’s just good period

[@joelewis]

Something that's been on my mind about WCW Mouthpieces is the idea of backups. You could buy two and you have a main and backup if one were to break. I have some custom made Hawkins mouthpiece for my clarinet and I broke one and I could never really "replace" it. Same thing with Meyer I owned. It's a relatively niche situation, but the fact that you can even /do/ that and still be under 250 dollars is pretty huge. I think generally speaking the cost to molding your sound via mouthpiece, reed, and ligature choice is a significant barrier for musicians, so I invite anything that challenges the market like this. I am not the biggest fan of the ring ligature that it comes with, but if thats ALL you have, its still a

[@zeldemalevitz4996]

Nice review. Very thorough. Please do a vid on proper cleaning the mpc. Thanks , Zelde

[@evanchrisney7069]

Thanks for the review! I have been enjoying my 56 immensely. I love my sound I get from this and have been transcribing Desmond, Gary Foster, and also Hodges. This mouthpiece is a steal.

[@joshwhite9996]

Dude legit nailed the intro 💀😭

[@SaxSpy]

I spent too much time on something only a few would get... I'm glad you liked it haha

[@peedrowchan-man102]

I ordered the 56 the day it was released, but then I was a good boy and waited for my birthday a month ago to finally play it. Wow I was blown away by the sound and feel, and even more so when I listened back to myself - ethereal tones! This piece is really unique and produces a palette of colors that I do not produce on any other mouthpiece. It has reinvigorated me with excitement to play alto, and to top it off, it’s paired with a recently acquired 1956 Zephyr! Thank you so much Dr. Wally, WCW, and Sax Spy! The only thing I regret is not getting mine engraved for $10 - couldn’t think of what to put and still can’t - maybe I need a stage name? Cheers!

[@nickmainella]

Thanks for all the fantastic info about the different plastics and manufacturing processes. Learned a lot!

[@drwallysax]

I learned quite a bit as well! It's cool to see the fill difference!

[@SaxSpy]

thanks, Nick! Been enjoying your vids lately too, especially the standards ones. trying to get my tune chops up!

[@aljerones99]

I bought one for my alto sax almost a year ago and I instantly foresook the other few moutpieces I had. It is my primary/preferred piece and ly Otto Link is my back up. I enjoy it so much that I bought one for my tenor, as I outgrew my Myer 5 on. I recently purchased a soprano sax to travel with and while the Yamaha 4c mouthpiece gets me playing, I instanly bought on for that instrume t and it did not disappoint either. This was a very informative review. Do you have a vlog on the care of mouthpieces, including cleaning them?

[@10morrissette]

Thanks! That was a great play test video. The 56 really holds its character between different players and across its range. Great design Dr. Wally!

[@donl3248]

I got one when they first came out. I haven’t gone back to my Meyer or Vandoren. I love the WCW 56. The tenor edition is in the works.

[@SaxSpy]

I will be getting the tenor 56 for sure

[@benjaminfalcone2074]

Nice review, congrats!

[@gusmarrero]

I love mine, great review.

[@satriahadjobaru2718]

Damm, love the V-sax Anyway, the mustache ad beard looks like general Zod

[@ScottPaddock]

Super thorough! Great job. Probably not an mp for my style, but I've always loved that Paul Desmond semi-classical jazz sound.

[@SaxSpy]

I used in on a session for some 30s scoopy classical cartoon playing and I'd say you're right

[@saxesq]

Great review, very informative, definitely worth the wait!

[@jonathanclark7623]

I love mine you can't beat it for the money sounds great easy blowing and reed friendly.

[@SanteeSaxophones]

Very detailed review! I learned a lot!

[@patemblen3644]

Good review and I love your playing, thanks.

[@Trevayne4]

Great review. I did already buy this mouthpiece and do love it.

[@angellatonny6379]

Hi Edward, what tip opening would you recommend for me who plays on an A8s Vandoren? I love bright mouthpieces with fat sounds.

[@Trevayne4]

@@angellatonny6379 it only comes in one tip opening right now. "The standard .080” tip opening provides plenty of power while maintaining a full, warm tone throughout the registers."

[@angellatonny6379]

@@Trevayne4 🙏🤝

[@nickpilgrim1966]

Quality video man. Thx for sharing.

[@georgeluna5845]

Got one of the first. Play 1-2 hours a day. Use it with a Legere 1.75 or Bo Sax #2. Haven’t stop using it.

[@jim6929]

Concave table gives the reed somewhere to go when it swells/ as it gets wet in the mouth - can be a good thing maybe(?)

[@SaxSpy]

Some do it intentionally and some don't. It's a preference that way but a solid break makes it work better and a seal is always the hardest on a 3d printed piece.

[@vladimirlopez7840]

You are correct Meyers are concave. For some reason (refacer’s making money) everybody thinks it’s a defect to not have a perfectly flat table. As a player and a woodworker I can tell you a wet Reed made out of what is cane will in fact conform to the table of a mouthpiece when clamped down by the ligature. This is further enhanced by more moisture soaking into the Reed as you play.

[@gusmarrero]

I just got their 2nd version of this mouthpiece. Looking forward to checking out today.

[@jorkles4691]

intro is amazing

[@davidbraner156]

Well done. Great information.

[@rustyshackleford3915]

Can you comment on whether the .080" tip opening on the WCW 56 (or any alto mouthpiece for that matter), requires significant embouchure pressure? I noticed that WCW has subsequently decided to offer their 3D mouthpieces in smaller tip openings (typically in the .072"-ish to .076" range). You make a good point about simply curving the rails more but not changing other important aspects. Either way, I keep hearing that the .080" tip opening is the 'sweet spot' for altos. More or less true?

[@SaxSpy]

it was for me at sea level but up high i gotta do a 0.076" max. its all about the relationship with the reed and the qualities you want. i like some flexibility and spread but not too much

[@MrGuto]

Next time remember to turn on the lights in the intro 😮. Thanks for the review.

[@SaxSpy]

but m o o d y

[@mfelten1980]

Nice intro and review! Say hi to Michael from V-Sauce for me ;-)

[@jardov1234]

Great review - but I'm confused how I should clean the mouthpiece, I always swab it but you say don't.

[@SaxSpy]

I gently dry it off with microfiber. Pulling it through will wear down the tip rail and anything it rubs against, which is repeated and a lot since swabs are generally too big.

[@jardov1234]

@@SaxSpy Thanks, appreciate the tip - I'm relatively new to the sax, seems I've got a lot to learn!

[@fredfonseca6034]

Oh man thank You thank you thank you. I just purchased a 52 for alto sax and it would never occur to learn how to clean it. I normally use the mist spray . It kills germ bacteria ect. On my selmer c*80 And vandoren.

[@DavideMarzola431]

Beautiful review. I am very interested in this mouthpiece. Recently WCW also released a new model, the "64". Have you had a chance to try it? Both have a very advantageous price compared to the more popular SYOS mouthpieces. What do you think of these mouthpieces made in PLA with 3D technology? I can't make up my mind.

[@marcusdickerson3016]

You should review the new DICKERSON RESONATOR ligature for alto sax sold on ebay

[@olebirgerpedersen]

Thank you for this fine demonstation. I play a Selmer 80 superaction serie II and I😅 find it a little too bright for me even I play my beloved mouthpiece Brillhard from 1942. Have you an idea what the darkest mouthpiece is I can get ? I am still looking for a King Super 20 because of it's wonderful dark sound.

[@Learning2Sax]

Nice review

[@JFH899]

Sax Spy, did Windy City make the slight changes you recommended such as the tip and table of the ‘56’ mouthpiece? Thank you.

[@SaxSpy]

im not sure! i havent heard from them in a bit

[@JWbabyshark]

How does the WCW 64 alto mouthpiece compare to this 56??

[@ollinaumann]

Just curious, why not use water to clean a HR mpc?

[@SaxSpy]

If there is any sulfur broken down on the surface already by acid or UV light, it will further strip it and cause it to go brown faster

[@ollinaumann]

@@SaxSpy Thx Derek, this is gold!

[@orzanoap]

I have a Meyer 7. Is it worth it to get this mouthpiece? Do you think it’s the same, better or worse?

[@shaomane]

Better. Production Meyers have extremely variable facing quality. These pieces have some variation, but nothing like the mass production of a modern meyer.

[@SaxSpy]

@@shaomane agreed. A good facing will make a huge difference

[@orzanoap]

Ok. Just ordered one.

[@SaxSpy]

@@orzanoap let me know what you think of it!

[@orzanoap]

Just got it yesterday and wow I really like it. Meyer 7 is a little brighter and the 56 a little darker. It reminds me of my vintage white brilhart tonalin I have on tenor. The 56 is better though. I feel like it can project more even though it is a dark mouthpiece. Also on my brilhart with a stiffer reed I can only subtone low notes and can’t get them out normally. Does that make sense?

[@GlitchCrafterOnline6]

How would you clean your mouthpiece (preferably Hard Rubber)? I usually run some cold water and swab it but now I'm a bit concerned if it can damage the mouthpiece in the future

[@vivianastridge2167]

Possibly the only video offer that deals with some of the technical aspects of manufacture. What would have enhanced the value of the video would have been the enclosure of details of actual type and dimensions of the chamber, throat side walls, baffle, side and tip rail etc etc. There must ,surely be a sufficiently large number of Paul Desmond aficionados to justify the accurate replication of the mouthpiece used by this Great, the M C Gregory 4A18. So why has no one done this? I would surely manufacture this mouthpiece and satisfy the large number of players yearning for this mouthpiece which sadly is no longer available and which not one singly manufacturer wishes to replicate for some undisclosed reason. If some knowledgeable sax person could furnish the constructional details of the Paul Desmond piece I would most assuredly make this available to those interested or yearning to play or hoping to play like Paul Desmond. Does anyone know how and from where I could get enough design information of the MCG mouthpiece. I am hoping and hoping and wishing and praying for a miracle to happen in response to the heartfelt desire of perhaps thousands of players all over the world for the Paul Desmond mouthpiece.

[@SaxSpy]

The hardest part is finding one! I have access to 3d scanners for the external dimensions but internal gets tricky. Im sure theres a guy to do it tho

[@SaxSpy]

I'd be happy to measure a Gregory when I get my hands on one, but they are indeed rare and bought up by collectors and I unfortunately haven't run into one. I don't have any contacts with those universities but I find the best way in is through the professors or authors directly rather than the college admins. They likely have their emails posted in the faculty directories.

[@Trevayne4]

Was looking for some reviews on your Harrison Alto sax ligature. I picked one up to try. Any opinions on these lig's?

[@SaxSpy]

Great but weak! They usually snap at one of the corners of the H

[@pablovillabol4101]

Buenas tardes, ¿cuanto me costaria una boquilla para alto 0.70 pulgadas? , blanco par envío a valladolid Spain en euros y ¿cuanto tiempo de entrega? por favor. Gracias

[@ganqqwerty]

Man, thanks for the review. I'm super pissed but at least have no more illusions.

[@SaxSpy]

they have a hard rubber version as well. While the cost is low material wise, there is some labor involved and it's at an entry level price with a good design

[@leycroftcoman5487]

Super review very interesting ..

[@SaxSpy]

thanks!

[@eliwyatt2292]

Don’t swab the mouthpiece? Yes, please elaborate

[@lorenzostella1]

Don't use water to clean hard rubber????

[@DallasCrane]

watern't

[@SaxSpy]

Comment below your favorite VSauce quote

[@mfelten1980]

...or does it?

[@shivashankarganapathi7751]

Not Durable I got a hairline crack in the tip and no response when checked with WCW

[@newscrews11]

Did you try it with a Legere plastic reed?

[@SaxSpy]

I did on my instagram stories. it worked for me!

[@lucassstache8069]

Your voice in the beginning sounds like you’re mocking Tucker Carlson 😂

[@SaxSpy]

ha not quite! A more obscure reference

[@thepianokid27]

Why not to use water to clean hard rubber mouthpieces? 🤔

[@SaxSpy]

leaches free floating sulfur out

[@thepianokid27]

@@SaxSpy seriously?? Never knew that..

[@ganqqwerty]

Oh, that's disappointing. You would think that for the mouthpieces they would use some kind of hard rubber or some novel nano-material made specifically for acoustics... but nah, it's just same good old PLA that we all use for 3d printing... The self-cost of such mouthpiece would be 3-5 bucks even if it's not mass-produced, so you can spend a lot of money on promotion and still get good margin. I guess SYOS also uses PLA or ABS because why bother with searching anything more advanced when us, the sax players will even buy a steel parallelepiped for 80 bucks and a heavy screw for 60? UPD 5:00 OMG, SYOS has no shame at all, not only it's a standard material, they even saved some cents by using the infill. UPD2: will probably buy it anyways, just to support Dr. Wally

[@SaxSpy]

WCW did make a hr version! The 3d is very accessible.

[@2005rosebud]

can I paint it black?

[@SaxSpy]

i mean it also comes in black

[@cadesauce]

Don’t pull the swab through the mouthpiece? Uh ohhh, I’ve been doing it wronggggg

[@thepianokid27]

Btw, is this the original 56 or the newer MK II version?

[@SaxSpy]

original

[@thepianokid27]

@@SaxSpy ah I see. Would like to see a comparison between this original model and the newer MK II sometime down the road if possible :)

[@teacher5376]

Alto saxophones , are sound bright's .all of the players , will known about .but , now , best ,great .use a mouthpieces , sounds chaining .

[@philbarone4603]

Yeah, no.