Sax on the Web Forum banner

Syos mouthpiece thoughts

1 reading
10K views 28 replies 20 participants last post by  DinoB  
#1 ·
this might just be me as a player and preferences but ive seen online really mixed syos opinions. I use a spark, and its an ok mouthpiece. but some reason my intonation sucks. everything is sharp no matter how much i adjust and the low notes on my horn sound super thinned out. but when i use just some low range c.w fobe mouthpiece from my school everything changes, my sound is clearer, bigger, a lot darker but what do i expect from some step up classic mouthpiece. i just wanted to know if anyone felt the same abt syos
 
#2 ·
Syos mouthpieces are ok. But the most valid criticism I and many others have is there is no attempt to finish the pieces after they come off the printer. So the finish is very rough. They play ok in spite of this, but the quality just isn't what you'd expect when spending a significant amount of money.

Presumably, most get Syos either because it's completely customizable or because they can get a relatively cheap copy of a vintage mouthpiece. As an owner of a couple of Syos pieces, mostly out of curiosity, I'd recommend that if you want a vintage mouthpiece, get the real thing. If you like to experiment, it's pretty harmless to mess around with Syos.

I recommend you try exchange your Syos if you don't like it, or just get a real mouthpiece.
 
#6 ·
I have not played Syos, but have seen those as well as other 3D products. In some respects, that technology is in the infancy and will only get better. Just in the last year or so, it seems that there are companies that are using different materials and finishing. A while back, some of the 3D products looked very crude and unrefined. Many now look far better. One plus is certainly the opportunity to design and test new models in a fraction of the time it would take in the past.
 
#7 ·
I had a few SYOS Link inspired mouthpieces that I purchased at a good price, They were at best OK and not very inspirational to play. I was watching a video of Chad LB where he was using his SYOS signature mouthpiece and he sounded fabulous on it. A few months ago I purchased a used SYOS Chad LB 8* and it's a really good mouthpiece. I used it at a rehearsal a few weeks ago and it's great. (Very good intonation, excellent altissimo and really good playability from top to bottom.) I asked them about making mouthpieces with the outer dimensions of a metal tenor piece and they replied that the material that they use isn't strong enough to make a slim line mouthpiece. I think if someone wades through their product offerings, they'll find something that will work for them. You should see this mouthpiece that I have from them, it's a pinkish purple shade. It's ghastly to look at on a Super 20 tenor sax. I've heard that they are now using a "higher fill" element for their 3D printed mouthpieces. I think that what they are doing is valid and that they seem to be on a mission of making good mouthpieces.
 
#12 · (Edited)
I have had a few. I'm back and forth with them. Spent the last couple months on a SYOS Michael Wilbur 9 on tenor. Pretty free blowing but kind of generic. I prefer the sound and profile of a metal piece as a larger HR or HR profile hurts my TMJ. Recently pulled out my Link TE 8 and found I prefer it to the SYOS. Never payed full price on the SYOS pieces. No more than $75.00. I always seem to go back to my Link STM 10*.........Forgot to comment on the rough finish.
 
#13 ·
I have tried a two plastic pieces that are copies of classics. They played OK. One was very unfinished and less good. But then I went back to either my Phil Tone or Mouthpiece Cafe pieces and they were a joy. A lot of people like these plastic pieces and people like CLB show what they can do. I just think for not so much extra money you can guarantee something wonderful.
 
#15 ·
Personally, I’m among those rather classic guys, metal pieces on the big horns, and pretty common hr pieces on the small horns. I just don’t fit into Syos’ target.
 
  • Like
Reactions: stomias
#19 ·
I got a Smoky version from Syos. It plays all right and behaves fine with reeds, free blowing and broader tolerance with my playing. The form factor looks ok to me, yet, the rough feeling in the mouth is something they should work on, maybe a little sanding or something. I left it aside and play an OL NY I like best. Regarding the price, it is a bit high for a 3D printed stuff but we have to take R&D into consideration..
 
#21 ·
I liked the SYOS pieces that I’ve played but there are tons of great options out there - part of the problem! I have 2 SYOS pieces that I recently got for Bari that I love. They are awesome and the price was right. What tip opening is your spark?

if you have money to spend the 10MFan sale is a great deal! His mouthpieces are killer.
 
#23 ·
I used to have issues with SYOS mouthpieces because it appeared their fill rate was not optimal, and the table and facing were off. But I’ve seen a few somewhat recently that weren’t terrible. It appears their fill rate has been improved, and the tables weren’t too far off. I still don’t think the material is all that great for saxophone mouthpieces, but the later pieces I’ve seen weren’t bad.

As for @10mfan mouthpieces, I think they’re the finest hand finished hard rubber mouthpieces around. Brian finishes these pieces to perfection. And my goodness—the prices Mark is charging are phenomenal!
 
#26 ·
As for @10mfan mouthpieces, I think they’re the finest hand finished hard rubber mouthpieces around. Brian finishes these pieces to perfection. And my goodness—the prices Mark is charging are phenomenal!
Bro, thank you so much! That means the world coming from you. 👍👍👍🎷🎷🎷❤❤❤
 
#25 ·
I have not tried or even seen an SYOS first hand but after reading how SYOS mouthpieces aren’t even hand finished at a basic level off of the printer, I don’t believe anything I see or read regarding SYOS endorsements. What I mean is that I can’t imagine that a guy like Chad LB would put up with a sloppily made, unfinished and crudely made mouthpiece such as most people here are describing.

That being said, the colors are very pretty. I would love to have colorful, and also amazing playing Mouthpieces like those.
 
#27 ·
I use the SYOS "SPARK" on my Tenor, alto and soprano sax and after 35 years of playing "Smooth Jazz" I personally have found these the best playing and most flexible mouthpieces I've ever used. Once I found the right reed combination, I was able to get a much wider tonal variation from really mellow to clear brights that I was unable to achieve from any HR or metal mouthpiece. However, it took some trying different reed manufacturers and various strengths to get there. Regarding the comments about the "unfinished" exterior of the mouthpiece, that is deliberate on the part of SYOS; it's not "unfinished" at all but is a textured finish that I have found to make absolutely no difference in playability and/or comfort but does give it a unique appearance.
 
#28 ·
In all honesty my Windy City bari pieces (56, 64 and 72) are better players. I printed them at home for maybe $1 each and they’re well playing from the get go. It’s like having a v16 b7, b9 and a Durga on demand. Something about Syos’s Adrian Condis piece just didn’t do it for me. I’m in the process of modifying a tenor Florida link stl to fit my Bari’s Otto link so I wouldn’t have to buy a new one if I accidently drop my favorite.