[BobNewOrleans]

I'm retired and started taking Sax lessons a couple of years ago for fun. I bought a used Yamaha tenor sax student model and recently discovered that rather than the standard Yamaha 4C mouthpiece, mine came with a Brilhart Ebolin, which also says Special directly below Brilhart.

I never noticed the badging before because it's very faint and nearly invisible on top of black plastic. The mouthpiece does not have a beige plastic bite plate, no serial number, and no indication (4* etc) of tip opening, which I measured at around .085-.090" using a caliper.

I like the sound of this mouthpiece and want to buy something somewhat similar as a spare but I can't figure out what I have or where it fits on the mouthpiece chart: https://theowanne.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Theo-Wanne-Tip-Opening-Chart-TENOR.pdf

What do the numbers across the top of the chart signify (63-155)? Can someone here advise me if my mouthpiece is probably a 4* or what? Any suggestions for an second mouthpiece would be welcome.

Thanks!
Bob Simon

 

[Grumps]

What do the numbers across the top of the chart signify (63-155)?

The tip openings in inches: .063" to .155"

So you want to look for something in the .090 range. Vandoren makes nice, basic mouthpieces, with good quality right off the shelf and can be found at local music stores. Won't break the bank either. T35-T45 would be a similar size range if your measurements are accurate.

 

[turf3]

Brilhart Ebolins are for sale all over the place in good usable condition, typically under $100. I'd just buy another one. They are excellent pieces even though they were inexpensive when new and they're still inexpensive.

 

[extradarcafe]

Chances of wearing it out are slim to zero. Just don’t drop it on a hard floor. Get a few bite-plate patches; forget the spare. Pick up something totally different, like a used metal Otto Link or Meyer in a 6 or 7. They play clear and easily.