[Dr G]

OK, 'fess up! Who's played these?

Any time Randy Jones buys up some mouthpieces to sell at TenorMadness, it always gets my attention.

http://tenormadness.com/product_detail.php?product_id=1186

"The FJ III takes inspiration from the great vintage pieces of the 50's and 60's, and applies a new chamber design and new proportions to deliver the richest sound and best playing of any metal mouthpiece we've experienced."

I've played some of Eric's work and he knows what he's doing.

 

[kingsax]

Yeah, they really look the s*** ultra thin rails so should be a nice easy blow, judging by that baffle may sound something like a Guardala?

 

[Dr G]

Yeah, they really look the s*** ultra thin rails so should be a nice easy blow, judging by that baffle may sound something like a Guardala?

My insider report is that they do blow easy - best to size up from your normal tip opening to get your preferred resistance. Sound-wise, it's on the dark(er) side - not at all what you or I might expect from looking at the baffle profile.

 

[rispoli]

It looks extremely similar to my Warburton LA, which indeed plays super-easy and allows to go for a higher opening than your general favorite (I got a 6 and would now rather choose a 7).
It is somehow bright/edgy but not very bright, somehow like a Guardala Crescent. Very full sound. A keeper for me.

 

[southernsax]

The FJIII is actually what I would call medium dark but extremely flexible. The baffle is deceptive. It is long but not very high. We used some unique proportions to get a very full and balanced sound. Since the picture doesn't give a reference it doesn't look different but if you had it next to pretty much anything else you would be able to see that it is new and unique.

The piece it totally different from the Warburton LA Tenor. The FJIII is warmer and a bit more fluid and free in the way it plays. Randy, and the crew at Tenor Madness, liked the sound very much so he has a number of them in stock at the moment. If any of you guys would like to try them please send me an email at [email protected]

 

[Nefertiti]

I have some mouthpieces coming to me from Macsax. Not sure if this is one of them but I'm looking forward to trying them.

 

[HeavyWeather77]

Nef, they're probably from Eric. A friend of mine works with Macsax and says that Eric is doing all their mouthpieces for the foreseeable future... he also happens to be spending a good deal of time in Austin, so I intend to peruse his wares at great length. Said friend of mine, who is also a forum contributor and a good player, knows a lot about gear and speaks very, very highly of Eric's work. I'm looking forward to getting my hands on a piece.

 

[Dr G]

Hey! I have a friend that's taking lessons with your friend!

Exciting stuff to see something new rather than a rehash of a design from last century.

 

[southernsax]

I have some mouthpieces coming to me from Macsax. Not sure if this is one of them but I'm looking forward to trying them.

Steve, there are a couple FJIII's in the package we sent out. Hopefully you will have them soon.

 

[jlima]

I have a Link Tone Master that was refaced by Eric Falcon and it is a tremendous mouthpiece, one of the very few that I am keeping.

 

[Nefertiti]

I just received the package from Eric today. The mouthpieces look great. The baffle reminds me of the LA model but a lot lower. It's still a long baffle but not as high as the LA was that I reviewed. I haven't had a chance to play anything yet because of the holiday but I hope to try them this week.

 

[shortwhite]

We will have the new FJIII at the JEN Conference in Louisville this week. Come by booth 217 and try them out.

 

[Nefertiti]

Posted a review of the Macsax FJIII tenor sax mouthpiece tonight. http://www.neffmusic.com/blog/2012/01/macsax-fjiii-tenor-saxophone-mouthpiece/ . It is very free blowing like the Warburton LA mouthpiece but much darker and lusher sounding. I've been having some pain in my hands because of some recurring tendonitis so fast lines are being kept to a minimum...............

 

[saxguy007]

Posted a review of the Macsax FJIII tenor sax mouthpiece tonight. http://www.neffmusic.com/blog/2012/01/macsax-fjiii-tenor-saxophone-mouthpiece/ . It is very free blowing like the Warburton LA mouthpiece but much darker and lusher sounding. I've been having some pain in my hands because of some recurring tendonitis so fast lines are being kept to a minimum...............

As always, immensely helpful article and especially recording. Thanks!

GAS.....GAS.....GAS......

 

[will216]

Is the FJIII the lowest baffle, then the FJIV, then FJV? Kind of like the Warburtons "degree" system?

 

[shortwhite]

Nope. The FJIV is the highest baffle. The roman numerals are simply the order in which the pieces were introduced.

 

[Mike T]

As an FJ III owner I ask: What happened to the FJ I and FJ II ?

 

[will216]

Are there any clips out there of the FJIV? I recently got an FJV. While it's nice I was expecting more of an R and B oriented high baffle piece

 

[shortwhite]

Mike - Good question

will26 - i don't know of any clips of the FJIV. It is different design and higher baffle than the FJV

 

[andre251]

I have only played the iii and iv. I only played the iv for like 5 seconds as it was way too bright for my tastes.
The fjiii seemed like a fantastic mouthpiece! I came home with a D-jazz 9 that i liked the most.