Is this Focustone Precision louder that typical Link? Is it like ,,Link on the steroids"?
Hi!
I am still looking for some good metal mouthpiece and after trying a few Retro Revival pieces, I become interested in Ted Klum Focustone Precision metal piece.
Do you have any experiences with this mouthpiece? Is it worth trying?
Cheers!
Louder? Maybe, because Klum's mouthpieces are very efficient.Is this Focustone Precision louder that typical Link? Is it like ,,Link on the steroids"?
I have to second Phil's statements. Of all the pieces that take the Florida as a basis, the Phil-Tone Tribute is currently my favourite metal piece. I also have a Mosaic which I love equally, but which takes it's inspiration from a blend of Link and Dukoff Stubby.Generally a smaller chamber and brighter than a link.
Most RR pieces are not precise revivals of those they claim. It would be more accurate to say they are inspired by certain pieces.
Frankly I'm the only maker I know that makes an authentic Florida chamber in conjunction with Theo. Everyone else just uses toe word Florida as a marketing gimmick.
That, however may not be what you are looking for.
I have a 7* Precision and although it is a well made mouthpiece I have reservations about it. I am not engaged by the sound and moreover I am not inspired by the few players who do use Precisions. My personal feeling is that it is dark-ish but without much character. I suppose you could argue that it is up to the player to inject their own character and that Ted Klum's mouthpieces are deliberately a 'blank canvas' , but I have had metal Links that were much more engaging to play despite being less well made. I have had this mouthpiece for a good few years now, and I keep going back to it in the hope that I will form a relationship with it, but so far, not.
I also have reservations about Ted Klum's plating longevity. I have had other metal pieces from him and all of them lost flakes of plating when removing worn bite patches.
I also had a Focustone at one point which I had asked Ted to make brighter for me. It was a very disappointing piece I am sorry to say.
I have an Acoustimax 5 alto piece in the black composite material which, conversely, plays great and is a favourite of mine.
Louder? Maybe, because Klum's mouthpieces are very efficient.
Link on steroids? Do you mean greater aggression and projection? No, not really, but again the efficiency makes it much easier to manipulate than a standard Link.
This is always in the back of my mind, that Ted Klum favours quite hard reeds. I don't particularly. Also I prefer Vandoren reeds for the most part, and I think Klum tenor pieces work better with Rico/D'Addario types.I found playing a #4 jazz cut reed added a lot of life to the sound. Worth the extra work
Bear in mind that @Guenne is talking about the Florida model Klum, not the Precision. I have no experience of the Florida, although by some accounts it might have suited me better.Guys, thank you so much for your answers! I'm still looking for something to replace my EB metal Link, so I'll check out this Ted Klum mouthpiece.
Bear in mind that @Guenne is talking about the Florida model Klum, not the Precision. I have no experience of the Florida, although by some accounts it might have suited me better.
I agree that the Tribute is not necessarily to be considered a 'loud' mouthpiece (although that really is up to the player), but fine quality it does have. 20 years ago I would have killed to have had the Tribute: I was doing a lot of studio work where I had to tread a line between different genres and it would have been a heck of a lot easier with such a refined and adaptable piece.
Yes, and he should have kept his mouth shut. Sorry.Bear in mind that @Guenne is talking about the Florida