Peter Jessen mouthpieces

[Tim Price]

Just curious...anyone ever try one of these?

They look beautiful. I never had the pleasure of hearing them. Anyone playing one?

Fill me in on them .

[brasscane]

Hi Tim,

You may have seen my thread (http://forum.saxontheweb.net/showthread.php?t=52661&highlight=peter+jessen) on Peter's mouthpieces and necks (he makes saxophones and engraves as well). I have played a few of them and brought some to a studio musician here in the US. He makes two models now, one with a long sloping baffle, and one that is more link like. All the pieces I have tried have been the former. Full fat sound from the very bottom to the top. With a real edge too. The best one I tried was one that he made for Brecker shortly before he fell ill. It was a bit to open for my abilities 9* or so, and hence could only play in periods where I got a lot of practicing into me schedule. It is/was hands down the best mouthpiece I have ever played.

I have to point out that I consider Peter to be a friend, that I have bought a custom built tenor of his, and am very, very impressed with his work. Also, I am an amateur. So you have to factor both in. I am biased. You may want to ask swinginnice for a more professional opinion.

His pieces are quite expensive due to the low $ but they sell steadily in Copenhagen, which is not the worst place as far as jazz goes. There is also a guy in New York, whom I only know as "Jay" that sells Peter's pieces. You can contact Peter at: peterjessensax [at] gmail [dot] com. He is a great guy and unlike me a very good sax player (played professionally earlier).

Best,

Steen

[brasscane]

I forgot to mention that some of the pros in Denmark uses Peter's mouthpieces and neck. I don't know if you have heard of Benjamin Koppel but he is one example. He is a stellar saxophonist, mainly alto, endorses Yamaha. Pretty much a prodigy, which is hardly a surprise as he comes from family of musicians and composers. He has been in the US for periods, played with Phil Woods, David Sanchez, Randy Brecker.

[Tim Price]

thank you.

much appreciated.

[JJ]

You can see a little more here:

http://www.gottfried.dk/storevaerkstedsbilleder/pdf_annonce.jpg

/Jan

[Tim Price]

You can see a little more here:

http://www.gottfried.dk/storevaerkstedsbilleder/pdf_annonce.jpg

/Jan

THANK YOU JAN.

I thought so, Mike Brecker mentioned this to me. seemed THIS was something pretty cool. LOOKS GREAT.:)

[Giganova]

Peter Jessen told me that Michael Brecker bought four of his mouthpieces just before he got sick. I am very impressed by the work Peter Jessen does, but I haven't played any of his mouthpieces yet (they are not cheap :D).

I have some pictures on my Mouthpiece Museum web site (http://www.mouthpiecemuseum.com/MouthpieceMuseum/Misc.html) (scroll down) and might create an own category for him soon.

[Giganova]

I have bought a custom built tenor of his
Uhhh -- that's so cool! How does that horn play? Does he build them from scratch or based on machined parts he gets from vendors?

[brasscane]

It is all in the aforementioned thread. If you have an interested in testing out one of his pieces (I suggest the modern and bronze because solid silve is more prone to accidental damage) please let me know. I will contact Peter and ask if he is willing to supply one for a go around trial. Obviously, we would have to agree on a more mellow opening than the 9* mentioned above (I should have kept it!). Also, people would have to pay for the insurance when shipping. Peter is making very little money off his mouthpieces. He is struggling to brake even to buy materials. His income comes largely from repairing instruments for i.k Gottfried. It is a crime for a person of his caliber but that is the way it is.

Anyway, if you are reading this thread, please let me know if you have a serious interest and I will contact Peter.

[Dr G]

Uhhh -- that's so cool! How does that horn play? Does he build them from scratch or based on machined parts he gets from vendors?

Here's a nice SotW article:

http://www.saxontheweb.net/Resources/PeterJessen.html

[Giganova]

I'd be more than happy to cover shipping & insurance if Peter would be willing to send one of his mouthpieces around. Can you get in touch with him?

Thanks!

[brasscane]

Uhhh -- that's so cool! How does that horn play? Does he build them from scratch or based on machined parts he gets from vendors?
I will post images of the horn later. The body tube and neck are entirely hand made. They keywork is asian because he cannot justify the time spent on making keywork. He is making a G mezzo soprano now (prototype in my avatar) wher all the keywork will be handmade as well. Anyway back to the tenor. I am a horn junkie and it is unlike anything I have tried. It was built roughly according to dimensions of a MKVI that Peter thought was particularly good but the quality of the brass seems higher and the wall thickness is bigger. It plays with Selmerish resistance but it is an extremely powerful horn and slightly more spread than what I believe the Selmer fanatics would prefer (don't get me wrong I love Selmer). I am still learning to adjust to it. I had a 39K SBA but put it in consignment with Randy Jones after I bought the horn from Peter. That is how much I love Peter's tenor. Again, it could just be me but even Peter, who hardly seems to know a superlative, will say that it came out really well. That is as much praise for his own work I have heard him express. He will happily admit that using outsourced keywork is less than ideal but it is a necessary compromise and he argues that the body tube pretty much entirely determines how the character of how a horn plays. BTW, if you have the Saxpics 2008 calender, one of his horns are depicted for March (by a second rate photographer). It runs at $8K with the decrepid exchange rate. I mentioned this apologetically to abadcliche who replied that it probably meant an hourly wage of $10 in manufacturing it. I guess I should consider myself quite lucky.

[brasscane]

I'd be more than happy to cover shipping & insurance if Peter would be willing to send one of his mouthpieces around. Can you get in touch with him?

Thanks!
Aye sir, will do.

[Giganova]

I just read the SOTW interview with Peter. He seems like such a modest guy! The G mezzo soprano is intriguing!

[Tryptykon]

Sounds like this gentleman is onto something; a true designer and craftsman.

We can always use more of these in the industry, and I hope more of his
work gets out into the hands of truly aspiring and accomplished players, alike

More innovators and less copycats and counterfeiters is always a good thing.:)

[tjontheroad]

More innovators and less copycats and counterfeiters is always a good thing.:)

Amen :angel4:

[Swampcabbage]

Anyone want to get a closer definition for "expensive"? $2,000? $500?

[brasscane]

Anyone want to get a closer definition for "expensive"? $2,000? $500?
They are $850 with the current exchange rate. This is for tenor in solid silver or gold plated solid bronze.

[Tim Price]

Sounds like this gentleman is onto something; a true designer and craftsman.

We can always use more of these in the industry, and I hope more of his
work gets out into the hands of truly aspiring and accomplished players, alike

More innovators and less copycats and counterfeiters is always a good thing.:)

AMEN FOR SURE....Replicating or a replicator is not cool. Better to be cool and TRY than replicate.

This guy seems cool, and sorry I missed the search button threads / I'm not on line 24-7. Having a life is important to my sax playing too:D