[SaxPunter]

Just got one of these in a 6* .095 opening and wow. It has a nice bite to the tone with being nasty yet it still has a nice core that I liked about my rubber link. Response is outstanding. I have a gig tomorrow night and I'm thinking about breaking it in.

More later, thanks Phil.

 

[Sigmund451]

Thanks Punter, Im looking forward to hearing more about it. Enjoy.

 

[SaxPunter]

Gigged it last night, I'm really liking it.

Here's a quick recording

http://www.blackfedora.info/water-eq.mp3

 

[SaxPunter]

Probably better to listen to Steve Neff playing one than me:

http://www.neffmusic.com/blog/2011/09/phil-tone-eqinox-and-eclipse-tenor-saxophone-mouthpieces/

 

[Tony5175]

Gigged it last night, I'm really liking it.

Here's a quick recording

http://www.blackfedora.info/water-eq.mp3

Thanks for posting and great job! That piece IMO was really edgy. Almost sounded like a metal mouthpiece. Have fun with it!

 

[Sigmund451]

Thanks for posting that. Its interesting how different two guys can sound on the same piece.

What is your setup Punter? Reeds?

 

[SaxPunter]

Thanks for posting that. Its interesting how different two guys can sound on the same piece.

What is your setup Punter? Reeds?

RJS 3S, Rovner Evo-5. Reference36

Interesting the comment about the edginess, I was looking for a bit more of that while trying to keep the linkish warm qualities. Usually it takes me a few weeks to get used to a new piece but it's feeling better every time I play it. I'm also suspecting that it's improved my intonation a little, something I struggle with on bigger pieces. Overall I'm pretty happy, I'd still prefer to sound like Steve on it though!

 

[Sigmund451]

Id like to sound like Steve too!

 

[SaxPunter]

I've had a couple of weeks to settle in to this piec and I love it. Here's another recording.

Thanks Phil - great piece.

No more GAS... I promise

 

[jlima]

Never say never

 

[daviderato]

Sounds great Punter. I just got the Rift in for my alto. I need a couple of weeks to find the right reeds and settle in, but so far it's a killer. I have yet to find a floor or ceiling of how soft or loud it can play. Unfortunately I don't have sound recording equipment, but maybe I can post a recording of the big band.

 

[les]

Dear saxophonists,
I just acquired one of Phil's "Eclipse" Tenor mouthpieces in a trade with a friend. I had been playing the same Brilhart Streamline for around six years (a record!) but when I played the Phil-tone I knew I had to have it. Many years ago, I was a fervent and dedicated mouthpiece *****, playing everything in sight (mostly Links) and changing from one to the next every few months. I didn't think anything could get me off the Brilhart though. I love that piece.
But Phil has done it.
If you're looking for a great mouthpiece (at any price), get a Phil-Tone. I've played dozens of HR Otto Links from all vintages, and most of them don't play as well as the Phil-Tone, although these days, the ridiculous price of "vintage" Links would suggest that they play themselves, tuck you in, and then wash the dishes. There is the added advantage that if you drop your Phil-Tone and damage it, you can buy another one without resorting to a mask and gun.
$225 is DIRT cheap for a piece of this quality.
Phil doesn't know me, and hasn't asked for my endorsement, but if he wants it, here it is!
Les Arbuckle
SaxOasis.com
Boston MA
10/27/11

 

[Sigmund451]

Thanks Les!

Your comments are much appreciated. Im glad you like the piece.

Phil

 

[SaxPunter]

Sounds great Punter. I just got the Rift in for my alto. I need a couple of weeks to find the right reeds and settle in, but so far it's a killer. I have yet to find a floor or ceiling of how soft or loud it can play. Unfortunately I don't have sound recording equipment, but maybe I can post a recording of the big band.

Thanks David, I find the RJS reeds a great match so far.

 

[tenorblack]

What do I think of the Equinox?
So I stayed on it for well over two hours on Friday. End result? SWEET!

I have never described a tenor piece as sweet before. That description I've only ever used for alto pieces. But this equinox is a sweet, sweet piece. But be fore-warned! It is definitely requires a different approach from the eclipse. It can be further described as having superb control and agility and finesse that I have never found in tenor pieces before, especially the agility aspect. In performance it really feels like my meyer alto piece, and that kind of dexterity I have always wanted to have in a tenor piece. The word I like to use is ‘zing’. It has a lot of zing. It just does what you want it to with great control and response. It has a nice tight focused sound just like the meyer piece. That kind of fun I have only experience on alto pieces. It has renewed my zest for tenor playing. There is one more aspect of the EQ that I am really grateful for and it is its superb intonation especially going up into the upper ranges. And the timbre is singing up there too. On most other tenor pieces I have tried I have had to lip up to keep the upper notes in tune. This EQ is spot on! And most of all, no embouchure repositioning needed when playing up high. It just stays tight and under control, singing effortlessly. I am extremely happy and grateful for this aspect. For just that reason I believe it will make my life easier as I double with alto and tenor a lot and now with this eq on my horn my embouchure approach should pretty much stay the same for both saxes. Oh Joy!

In terms of volume it’s not as robust and ballsy as the the eclipse but I have no problem giving that up to gain the new control and agility of this piece. But it still has a lot of volume.
The biggest lesson I’ve learned over the past two years of mouthpiece trials is that every mouthpiece requires a different approach. The same goes for this one. You may not get the hang of it on the first or even second try because it is different from all other tenor pieces I’ve tried before, but once you master it, it is simply a sweet piece.

 

[Sigmund451]

Thank you Devon. I have always admired your approach to gear. You approach a piece in a very patient manner and really explore what it has to offer. You are definitely a candidate for the Non-Chops in box chairman. It is really refreshing.

 

[tenorblack]

Thanks Phil,

All the pieces that I've tried that sounded great the first time into my mouth has either been sold or in my gear bag waiting to be sold. It definitely takes time to figure a good piece out. I've found that when switching to a new piece, it takes me about 2 months to completely forget the mechanics of the approach to the old piece and probably 4 months or more to become maybe 80% comfortable with the new piece.

Having said that I can figure out when a piece is completely crap in one practice session. Those I don't waste my time on. Those usually have no mystery or enigma to them and either play badly or are too automatic.

 

[reedsburn62]

I find the same six month learning curve as well.

 

[SaxPunter]

After a month I'm still diggin it, gets better all the time:

Someone to watch over me

 

[Allen Halstead]

Punter ...anxiously awaiting the arrival of my equinox ... are you using RJS on it? what size ?? filed or unfiled? recently becasme a fan of Vandoren Java reds over rico royals... I have never tried the RJS reeds .. their numbering system confuses me ...