Berg Larsen Black Ebonite Tenor Sax Mouthpiece 120/1 M - BL404

The Berg Larsen Black Ebonite Tenor Sax Mouthpiece 120/1 M combines traditional hard-rubber construction with a bright chamber and the M facing. Berg Larsen has used black ebonite since 1945, valuing the material's absorbent qualities for a more resonant sound.

BL404 120/1 M specifications

• Instrument: Tenor saxophone.
• Material: Black ebonite, also known as hard rubber.
• Tip opening: 120 thousandths of an inch.
• Chamber: 1, bright.
• Facing: Longer American M facing with a flatter curve.

Find your chamber and facing

This 120/1 M setup pairs chamber 1 with the M facing. Chamber size and baffle influence brightness and edge. More baffle creates more edge: chamber 0 is brilliant with the most edge, chamber 1 is bright, chamber 2 is round, and chamber 3 is mellow.

The SMS French facing is shorter with a steeper curve. The M American facing is slightly longer and flatter. These terms describe facing curve length rather than the actual sound of the mouthpiece.

Match your tip opening and reed

Tip opening is the gap between the reed tip and mouthpiece tip, measured in thousandths of an inch. Wider openings generally allow softer reeds. For beginners, a narrower opening can help produce a clearer tone and more consistent intonation. Compare the 120 opening with your existing tenor setup when choosing reeds.

For reference, 100/0 SMS denotes a medium-close tenor opening, brilliant chamber, and short facing. This listing is specifically for the BL404 120/1 M configuration.