Berg Larsen Grained Ebonite Alto Sax Mouthpiece 80/1 SMS - BLG402

The Berg Larsen BLG402 80/1 SMS grained ebonite alto sax mouthpiece combines superior-grade ebonite with a distinctive grained effect and the series' warm, generally round sound. This configuration pairs a 80-thousandths tip opening with a bright chamber and shorter French-style facing.

80/1 SMS configuration

• Instrument: Alto saxophone.
• Material: Superior-grade grained ebonite.
• Tip opening: 80 thousandths of an inch.
• Chamber: 1, bright.
• Facing: SMS, shorter, steeper curve.
• Model: BLG402.

Choosing your mouthpiece

The 80/1 SMS configuration identifies the opening, chamber, and facing so you can compare it with your current setup. The following guide explains how these specifications relate to your choice.

The Grained Ebonite mouthpiece is manufactured using superior grade Ebonite with a beautiful grained effect. The mouthpiece has a warm tone with a generally round sound.

When choosing a mouthpiece there are a number of factors to consider. 

1.) TIP OPENNING

The tip opening is the distance between the tip of the reed and the tip of the mouthpiece, measured in thousands of an inch. Generally speaking, the wider the tip opening, the softer the reed that may be used. For most beginners a narrower tip opening will result in a clearer tone and more consistent intonation.

2.)  TONE CHAMBER

The degree of edge or brightness the player obtains is dictated by the size of the tone chamber. Referring to the diagram above, the more 'baffle' that is built into the tone chamber, the more edge the tone will have. A '0' tone chamber will have the most edge and a '3' will have a more mellow tone.

Tone Chambers: '0' - BRILLIANT, '1' - BRIGHT, '2' - ROUND, '3' - MELLOW.

3.) LENGTH OF FACING 

The term 'SMS' or 'M' indicates the choice of facing. The SMS, or French facing is usually shorter with a steeper curve. The 'M' or American facing is slightly longer with a flatter type curve. These facing term is only to indicate the facing curve length and in no way affects the actual sound of the mouthpiece.

EXAMPLE : The designation 100/0SMS for a tenor sax mouthpiece indicates a medium-close tip opening, a brilliant tone chamber and a short facing length.