Just realised I never reported back about having a custom SYOS piece made.
Well SYOS asked whether I wanted to be an endorsee and develop an “artist” model.
We discussed what I wanted - based, as previously stated, on a Dayna Stephens model I had been playing. A bit more warmth and more volume was my main requirements. They sent me three different variations (all 3 looked different - physical lengths and shapes, chamber size etc). All three were great playing pieces and in the same ballpark but one really stood out. This mouthpiece was the strangest piece I’ve ever played - it achieved what I asked for but in a way I hadn’t imagined...
I’ve had a particular sound concept in my head for a long time and have some beautiful mouthpieces that enable me to achieve it at low and medium volumes (10mfan merlot, lebayle lriii, morgan fry reso - all beautifully made warm mouthpieces) but when I really push the volume ( and I can play loud) they tended to brighten up and the high partials increase - not shrill but brighter than I like. I’ve compensated for this by really opening my throat and essentially subtone palm keys and believe it or not altissimo.
Now I appreciate many players want to brighten up and “cut through” as they get louder in a live situation, however I just want to get louder - basically I want a ballad-ish sound but really loud.
The mouthpiece that SYOS made me sounds as warm and dark as my other expensive handmade/ boutique pieces but when I go loud is where it differs. I think the very nature of making sound louder makes it somewhat “brighter” ie the treble/ highs increase more than the mids/ lows. This SYOS mouthpiece is quite extraordinary in that when pushed, the trebles/ highs do increase and brighten up BUT there’s this huge bass response underneath that also increases simultaneously balancing out the treble - creating this overall ballad- like warmth with tons of power and projection.
I’ve played/bought/sold 1000s of mouthpieces and this piece is absolutely incredible. I am totally enamoured with it. I’ve been playing it exclusively for a few weeks - various gigs/ settings and am totally stoked with it’s performance. The bass “thing” it does is so unique, I’m currently working on exaggerating it - when pointed out, listeners can really hear it, almost as if there is a “shadow” or second voice in the sound. My other pieces sound lovely until I put this on, then they sound lifeless and weak.
SYOS have sold half a dozen of them so far and it is going to be available on their website soon (you can request it now).
I have 2 and they are both fantastic - as you can tell, I’m exceptionally happy with this company and highly recommend getting in touch and discussing your requirements.
Here’s a couple of egs
Please feel free to ask any ?s - happy to discuss this company/ product with you
View: https://youtu.be/1X-hWRmLuSY
View: https://youtu.be/iAt32uI_Uvw
(bottom of page)
www.syos.co
nice legs for a scouse taxi driver.
