[Nefertiti]

Posted a new review of the Phil-Tone Orion 7* tenor sax mouthpiece today. I have to admit that I really enjoyed playing the Phil-Tone Orion mouthpiece. I am listening back to the sound clips even as I type these thoughts, and I think the Orion has a unique tone and richness of character that makes it a joy to play as well as listen to in my mind. Check it out!

Phil-Tone Orion Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Review

Phil-Tone Orion Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Review

www.neffmusic.com

 

[72MkVI]

It sounded very nice. You said it was resin. What does that mean exactly? Is that like epoxy? how hard is it compared to hard rubber?

 

[Nefertiti]

It sounded very nice. You said it was resin. What does that mean exactly? Is that like epoxy? how hard is it compared to hard rubber?

Phil can give more details on what it means to be resin. As I said in the review, I thought it was hard rubber at one point because it seemed like hard rubber to me.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Sigmund451]

Thank you very much Steve for all your work on the review.

Resins are plastics like used in Brilhart tonslin and ebolins, Drake pieces, Aizen, Pillinger mouthpieces and a number of others on the market. Its harder than hard rubber. In terms of sound you can start a thread that will last for days and have people arguing if it makes a difference in sound. So Im not going to open than can of worms.

 

[jthole]

I assume that it's somewhat brighter and more "direct" than the Otto Link vintage Tone-Edge and Tone-Master inspired pieces?

 

[Olaf1]

Thank you very much for this review, Steve. Great as always! I think this is because of my English, so far from perfection 😌, but there is one thing I don't understand. So, I'm sorry for probably silly question. In one place you write:

"The tone leans to the darker side of a tenor saxophone tone in my opinion. The low notes are lush and thick sounding with lots of character."

..and in another place:

"the Orion tenor sax mouthpiece seemed to have a lightness of tone to me. I am not sure why I get that impression but I just feel like the tone is more light sounding than heavy sounding to my ears."

"Lightness" seems to me opposite to "dark", "thick". Could you help me understand it better, please?

 

[Nefertiti]

By the word "lightness" I am not referring to brightness but just that the notes sound "light" to me. All I can say is that sometimes I hear a sax tone and it sounds heavy to me. Many times I associate that word "light" with Stan Getz or Paul Desmond. Of course it is also a playing style but I think something about the tone also lends itself to that style in my mind. Hopefully, that makes sense.

 

[Sigmund451]

I assume that it's somewhat brighter and more "direct" than the Otto Link vintage Tone-Edge and Tone-Master inspired pieces?

It is definitely more foucsed. Its not a bright piece but it can have more edge if a person wants it. I would not call it a lot brighter than a HR New Vinatage. Just different. However, it is certainly brighter than a Tone Master.

 

[Nefertiti]

It is definitely more foucsed. Its not a bright piece but it can have more edge if a person wants it. I would not call it a lot brighter than a HR New Vintage. Just different. However, it is certainly brighter than a Tone Master.

Yes, I would agree with this. A Link is usually more spread sounding. The Orion has more of a focused sound. I would still consider as leaning to the dark side of a saxophone tone.

 

[Olaf1]

By the word "lightness" I am not referring to brightness but just that the notes sound "light" to me. All I can say is that sometimes I hear a sax tone and it sounds heavy to me. Many times I associate that word "light" with Stan Getz or Paul Desmond. Of course it is also a playing style but I think something about the tone also lends itself to that style in my mind. Hopefully, that makes sense.

Thank you for your explanation, Steve.

 

[Humbardi]

How it compares to the Eclipse from Phil-Tone ?

 

[Sigmund451]

Hi Humbardi, it apples and oranges compared to the Eclipse. The Eclipse is made from a vintage Gregory mold and significantly modified from that point. Some say it sounds like a link and I guess its Link like but still different. Structurally it has a large chamber, deeply concave sidewalls and an enlarged throat. The Orion is taken from an old mold made from a vintage Tonalin. It has a medium chamber, straight or slanted sidewalls, and a arched roof in the throat.
I think if you listen to recordings from both you will find them very different.
In terms of loudness, the Eclipse has more power and can be pushed harder.

 

[wilco87]

Hi Steve, love your reviews as a tool to evaluate the difference between all those different makes and models. This one makes me doubt between the Orion and the Intrepid. Love the warmth of the Orion, but that sizzle/grit on the Intrepid, man...

 

[Sigmund451]

I can make an orion wih more buzz ...extra baffle but it will be less warm. Also, it wont have the same sizzle as you put it. They are really quite different pieces.

 

[jazzznbluezzz]

Great review, Steve.
I happen to play an Orion too. A 7* and I am very pleased with it.
It certainly fits in the tonal spectrum of the Brilhart Tonalin family. That is why I asked Phil to
add some brightness to the tone in the first place because I already have a very nice playing white Brilhart Streamline.
I feel it makes the Orion a more versatile piece. It also plays easier in the low register.
It now has all the warmth and mellowness and the typical thick core sound of the Tonalins and the brighter edge of the Ebolin. And I don't think it shy either as it can get pretty loud if you need it.

 

[wilco87]

Thanks for your response Phil, that will be a very hard choice then. Back to listening and comparing...

Buying both is a little over the top (for now). I'm mostly playing at home in a small room that's quite bright. Orion should be the best fit there... Intrepid has more power/output, and that may be a bit much there.

 

[Sigmund451]

The Intrepid is capable of more volume but I dont think in normal playing it is a louder piece. Id say it can be just as quiet...like Steve suggested in his review of the Orion...the volume stops at a lower number. Either would work in a limited space. Its all down to what color palate you want.

 

[Nefertiti]

Hi Steve, love your reviews as a tool to evaluate the difference between all those different makes and models. This one makes me doubt between the Orion and the Intrepid. Love the warmth of the Orion, but that sizzle/grit on the Intrepid, man...

They are both great pieces but it comes down to what you prefer and want. That's why I have such a hard time when people email me and ask "What is the best mouthpiece to get?" It's impossible to answer and is a personal decision.

 

[wilco87]

Thanks for both of your answers. I won't ask you what will be the best piece for me, promise 😉 I have given myself a month to think this through and save a little more, but would be happy with either one.