JodyJazz ESP Alto Gold

[Jody Espina]

I recently sent this message out to my customer mailing list:

<<As some of you know, we've been working on an ESP Alto Gold mouthpiece. The final prototype has exceeded my expectations and everyone who's tried it has been blown away. The target release date is mid-April. If you'd like to be one of the first to try the new ESP Alto Gold under no obligation, let us know and we'll put you on the reservation list. >>

The response was so overwhelming that the first run is now spoken for. We are shooting for mid May for the second run for those interested in reserving a mpc to try.

[Gandalfe]

Jody, can you tell us how big a first run of a new mouthpiece is?

[Jody Espina]

Thanks for the question Gandalfe. I will say that this first ESP alto run will be larger than the first ESP tenor run and it will be followed up very quickly with another run.

I showed some prototypes to Laura Dreyer last night and she asked me if she could play one on a recording session today, so I'm eager to hear how that went.

[Laura Dreyer]

I have been playing Jody's prototype ESP alto mouthpiece all week and I think it's fantastic. I used it on a recording session and was really pleased with the way it sounded on t`pe as well. It plays evenly in all the registers and has a clear,resonant, focused sound It's going to be hard to return this mouthpiece back to Jody... --Laura D.

[rhino004]

Laura...Don't send it back to Jody...send it to me!!! I have been wanting to get one since I first heard about it. By the way, What is the name of your recording so I can start looking for it when it hits the stores?

[Laura Dreyer]

I just got my own personal ESP alto mouthpiece, which I am loving, and it is PURPLE! (Jody made up a few as an experiment) I gather they will become available to the public sometime in the near future. Anyway, it's a great mouthpiece! I have no information on when the recording that I did (where I played the prototype) will be released. It was with Susan Pereira & Sabor Brasil and the song that I played Jody's mouthpiece on is called "Tudo Azul". It featured myself and trumpeter Claudio Roditti.

[disgruntleddave]

do you have a price for it yet?

and is the mouthpiece bright or dark overall (for the different facings that is)

[Jody Espina]

The ESP Alto Gold is available in the following tip openings:
.074 = JodyJazz 6
.078 = JodyJazz 7
.083= JodyJazz 8
.090 = JodyJazz 9*

The price is $330.00

It's a great mouthpiece which for me means that you make it sound how you want it to. You should expect a nice big bottom and a very even scale throughout.

[disgruntleddave]

just to let you know, for some reason your site is down, and emails come straight back that are sent to your address

[gary]

FYI I talked with Jody this afternoon (my time) and he was aware of it.

[Morry]

How do those opening compare to, say, a Link STM? Is a JJ 7 the same general size opening as the Link?

[disgruntleddave]

http://www.jodyjazz.com/facings.altosax2.html

You should be able to compare facings from there.

[Jody Espina]

The mouthpieces arrived yesterday. They are beautiful and playing great, we spent all day yesterday and today getting them out to people, so word should start trickling in at the end of next week about how people like them.

There seemed to be so much interest in this mpc that I made more on the first run than I had originally planned so I do have some ready to go if people want to order one. Just email and I'll give details on how to go about it.

[Andrew D]

Jody would you ship to the Uk (London) I currently use a 7*metal link that I have used for 20+ years amoung many others, would your trial be extented to a few days more because of the time RE: shipping???

[Jody Espina]

Yes Andrew. Please email me and we can discuss the details. Your 7* is equivalant to my .090
Jody@JodyJazz.com

[gary]

My new alto ESP came in this afternoon and I played it while I was giving a lesson. Afterwards I wailed for the next hour and a half with my Band in a Box. Didn't want to put my alto down, and I've been concentrating on tenor this last year.

The new alto ESP is doing for me what the tenor ESP did for me...gave me a shot in the arm and a new joy in playing. These mouthpieces play themselves. Great sound, control and flexibility. Billy Bob says check 'em out.

[MB-913]

I would like to know:

1) If take out the spoiler, the ESP Gold alto MPC is a bright MPC ? I'm worry if it sound as bright as a Dukoff because I don't like too much edge.

2) How does it compare with the Beechler Bellite or Beechler Custom Metal ? More bright or in same level.

3) I'm using Beechler Bellite Metal #6 for a year and want to upgrade it. Either a Beechler Custom Metal #7 or ESP Gold alto. Does ESP Gold alto #8 has similar size with Beechler's #7 ?

[Jody Espina]

The ESP alto is darker than all of the mouthpieces you mentioned without the spoiler. The Beechler #7 is .085. The ESP comes in .083 and .090 and I also have some .085's that aren't advertised. I would recommend the .083* which is an .085.

[MB-913]

The ESP alto is darker than all of the mouthpieces you mentioned without the spoiler. The Beechler #7 is .085. The ESP comes in .083 and .090 and I also have some .085's that aren't advertised. I would recommend the .083* which is an .085.


Jody,

Thanks. When you will release a silver plated MPC (tenor and alto, both)? I've many gold plated tenor piece but none are silver.
I hope many players want to see this in soon.

PS: But I think if you have silver version ESP, it should be more expensive than Gold version, isn't it ?

[Morry]

CRAP!!!

Anyone else have a problem with the gold plating flaking off the piece when you remove a mouthpiece patch? It appears to be almost like gold leaf and came right off with the clear plastic patch. Kind of irritating on a $300+ moupiece. :x

[saxmanglen]

Morry,

Drop Jody an e-mail and I'm sure he'll take care of it. I know I saw a thread some time ago that talked about that same thing. Try the search option.

Regards, Glen

[Morry]

Yeah, Glen, I thought I had heard of the problem, but I couldn't locate any threads using the search. I don't really know what kind of resolution I expect from Jody. I like the way the piece plays, and wouldn't want to chance another one, but it just really irked me!

[Jody Espina]

This has been a problem that I have faced head on since it happened. I've replaced 6 mouthpieces so far because of that same issue. It only happened to a small number of mouthpieces that were plated at a certain factory. The plating is actually as good as any plating I've seen, but something in their process makes makes the plating vulnerable where the bite plate is. I believe that their solution is too hot and minute portions of glue seep out. We only realized that this was a problem once it was too late. The problem can be avoided by taking the clear mouthpiece patch off gingerly.

Like I said, I have replaced six mouthpiece so far at no cost to the customer. Morry, if you would like to have the option of trying another mouthpiece and then decide which one you want to keep, I'll send you one and you can decide. There will be no shipping costs either way to you. Or any other costs for that matter. I'm sorry that that happened and I agree that it is a drag. But my customers know that if they have a problem I take care of them.

[Morry]

Nah, Jody, I like the way this piece plays, and don't want to chance another one not playing as well. I put a new black patch over it, so you don't see it anyway. I guess I was just concerned about it in case I ever decided to sell it, but I think I'll be keeping it anyway.