Theo Wanne DATTA HR 7* - High baffle, brightest of the TW pieces. Core Sound Series.
1st Impressions - I did not expect to like this mouthpiece but wanted to try it so I could put it to rest and move on in my search. That idea was shot down fast. This piece is a beast if you are looking for a more modern sound. Volume is huge and easy to pull out of the piece, but it also sounds very nice when you back off and can work well with good control for traditional jazz work. I would almost akin it to a Vandoren Jumbo Java as far as sound, but I feel it is much warmer. Construction of course is top notch and flawless as with ever TW piece I have tried. The 7* in the HR for this piece feels a bit smaller than my 7* GAIA Metal, probably due to the difference in the thickness of the tip. (Update: Seems to love Vandoren V16 reeds, 2 1/2 in particular on this 7*)
Reed Friendliness - So far, LaVoz mediums and RSJ 3S Unfiled both sound great, though I feel the LaVoz have a little more body to the sound. Have not tried Vandorens yet, but I have V16 and Java green and red on hand and will give them a shot. Might have to step up a half strength in reeds since the piece feels a tad smaller than a metal 7*.
Response - Absolute butter! I admit it is taking me some time to get use to, but the more time I spend with it, the better it gets. Good control seems to be key with this piece, but with good control the response and inflections that you can get from this piece are just incredible. I am an alto player to be honest, and this is the first tenor piece that has given me the feeling and response that I am able to get on my alto. Playing tenor to me is fun again. Altissimo, which I have never been able to accomplish on tenor, just pops out with an ease that is almost criminal. Alas, it is not a piece you can just pick up and play perfect. You will have to work with the piece to really learn and and have good control to make it work for you.
Sound - This is one of those pieces, again like the Jumbo Javas, that just get up in your face and slap you around. It is bright, edgy, and nasty when you want it to be. What really made me fall in love with it though was the fact that I was able to pull back and play a traditional ballad with a sweet and full sound. It really blew me away. The highs, as I have noticed with any high baffle piece, can get thin if the player's control is not there, though this piece seems a little more forgiving in this area than others I have played. None the less, I stress the importance of control and working with this piece to ensure you have control of it, but once you get it under your will, it allows you to shape your sound in endless ways.
Conclusion - A great piece, but not for the feint of heart for sure. This piece tip toes on the line between life and death, but if you have the will to tame it, I think it can be an amazing piece for a wide spectrum of genres. This piece definitely leans more towards the rock/r&b type modern sound, but with some good control can be used well enough for a traditional jazz setting. Also, the price is steep. While not as steep as some of Theo's other pieces, it is still a good chunk of change. That said, you are paying for amazing craftsmanship and piece you know is going to play at its best right out of the box.