When a saxophonist starts looking for a new mouthpiece, it is very common to search for terms like “custom saxophone mouthpiece”, “handcrafted saxophone mouthpiece”, or “bespoke saxophone mouthpiece”.
These are some of the most searched terms today. Players are looking for something that goes beyond standard factory mouthpieces — something with more personality, better control, and that feels more connected to the way they play.
The issue is that, in practice, many of the results that appear for these terms still follow a very similar approach. There are several makers offering “artisanal” or “custom” mouthpieces, but most of them work with a limited number of models. They adjust tip openings, chambers or materials, but they usually start from an existing design. In the end, the saxophonist ends up choosing between variations of something that was already created by someone else.
This happens because a large number of mouthpiece makers are not saxophonists themselves. They are skilled craftsmen, engineers or woodworkers, but they do not have the daily experience of actually playing the instrument. Because of this, they often end up reproducing concepts that already exist, improving technical details and creating new versions — but still within a production logic.
The result is that even when a saxophonist believes they are buying something “artisanal” or “made to measure”, they are still choosing from a catalogue, even if that catalogue is small.
I see this differently.
Because I spent many years playing the saxophone professionally, I understand in practice what it means for a mouthpiece to respond in one way or another. I know how a small change in the internal geometry can affect the attack, the projection, the control of the sound, and even the physical sensation while playing. This experience completely changes the way I approach making a mouthpiece.
Instead of starting from an existing model and making adjustments, I begin from scratch for each musician. I do not work with production lines or with variations of the same design. Every mouthpiece is sculpted individually, taking into account the sound the player is looking for, their embouchure, their instrument and their musical style.
For me, it makes no sense to offer “models” when the goal is to create something that truly belongs to one single person. When a saxophonist plays a mouthpiece made this way, they are not using a piece that was adapted for them. They are using something that was created specifically for their sound.
If you are searching for a handcrafted or custom mouthpiece, it is worth reflecting: do you want an improved version of something that already exists, or do you prefer something that was thought out and built from beginning to end for you?
