Inspired by the past, created for the future.
Led by Jack Tyler, saxophonist, repair technician for Berklee’s great masters and students, and designer of these original products, the Boston Sax Shop brand has attracted the attention of saxophonists around the world.
No es casualidad que los mejores artistas del momento utilicen sus productos: Jerry Bergonzi, Joshua Redman, Melissa Aldana, Dayna Stephens, Joe Lovano, Ben Wendel, Kirk Whalum, Seamus Blake, Jeff Coffin, Joel Frahm, Immanuel Wilkins, Adam Larson, Kris Urbanski, Hailey Niswanger, Lucas Pino, Kenneth Whalum, Ryan Devlin, Terrace Martin, Noah Preminger, Braxton Cook, Steve Kortyka, Chris Bittner, y la lista sigue y sigue.
Let’s take a look at their products.
The reeds
They arose from the need to create a reed that would combine the virtues of the two most common types of reeds, those used for classical music and those used for jazz. Classical reeds had the depth and uniformity Jack was looking for, but not the projection needed in a loud band, while jazz reeds seemed to sound too ‘bright’ and ‘buzzy,’ but offered the projection necessary for modern music. So, with the help of French reed manufacturer Rigotti, he designed a ‘hybrid’ jazz reed that had qualities of both cuts, creating an unfiled reed that provided a warm, dark tone while still being able to project. In addition, as a premium reed, it is seasoned and selected to be consistent, so when you buy a box, ‘they all sound the same’. This is how the Boston Sax Shop black box reeds, now called ‘Black Label’, were born, to differentiate them from their latest release to date, the ‘Silver Label’ reeds, or silver box reeds, which maintain the characteristics of their predecessors but with a little more brightness.
The Necks
The Heritage neck was conceived from Jack’s two passions: restoring antique saxophones and playing them. As a repairman, he has had the privilege of examining and testing hundreds of vintage necks and incorporating the best features of each into the design of the Heritage neck. A significant influence on this neck comes from the ‘free blowing’ characteristics of vintage Selmers, such as the Radio Improved and Balanced Action models, which have necks with more open angles. These models are becoming increasingly difficult to find, and while people often prefer their sound, they do not like their ergonomics. Thus, he set out to produce a neck that would allow musicians to experience the magic of these antique saxophones on more standard instruments. After several years of measuring and adjusting the angles of the neck, and many prototypes, the Heritage neck was born.
The Heritage neck sounds more flexible and has more amplitude than a standard Mark VI-style neck without sacrificing control or tuning. Due to its greater angle, it also gives the sensation of blowing further down the saxophone, which reduces resistance. It offers the musician more space to push the air and opens up the mid-range, which is usually more muted on the tenor, producing a more homogeneous sound throughout the saxophone. The Heritage alto neck opens up the more muted areas of the saxophone, particularly the mid-range, and adds resistance and therefore more richness to the sound of the palm key notes. It is a balance of achieving the right amount of projection while maintaining the core of the sound and keeping intonation easy.
Estos necks se presentan con distintos acabados: latón sin recubrimiento, plateado, latón punteado, plata punteada, oro de 18 quilates punteado.
The ligatures
The ‘Superlative’ series is inspired by three vintage ligatures: the Selmer 2-screw, the Magnitone, and the Harrison. It is the result of two years of prototyping and listening to the opinions of some of the world’s most notable saxophonists.
It features a one-piece design composed of three distinct spokes that allow for great ‘reed/mouthpiece’ vibration, while remaining solid and stable. The reed contact plate is laser cut and provides a uniform grip, while giving the middle section of the reed room to breathe, as this is an area where new reeds commonly tend to swell, creating the optimal seal. It features a reverse orientation of two screws and comes in different finishes: Brass, Silver Plated and Gold Plated.
The mouthpieces
Currently, the range of mouthpieces includes three models for tenor saxophone (S-Series, R-Series, and E-Series) and two models for alto saxophone (M-Series and S-Series), but there is already a prototype metal mouthpiece for tenor saxophone, and several projects are in development.
S-Series
It is a reference to the large mouthpieces with ‘horseshoe’ chambers of the past, such as the Selmer Soloist, but made for the modern musician. It is a jazz mouthpiece with body, depth and uniformity, but with the projection necessary to cut through in modern ensembles.
R-Series
The R-Series is a recreation of the legendary Otto Link ‘Reso Chamber’ but with modern openings. The large chamber provides a free and spacious sound, and the medium roll-over baffle gives it plenty of power to project without losing the warmth and spaciousness of the tonal centre.
E-Series
Inspired by the tonal characteristics of the coveted Otto Link ‘Early Babbit’ mouthpieces, they have that perfect balance between brightness and warmth that the best vintage mouthpieces have. Its internal design uses a unique, longer baffle (roll-over baffle).
Unlike the shorter, more upright baffles found on vintage models, the more subtle parabola of this baffle provides the same amount of power without sacrificing sound uniformity. The end result is an incredibly versatile mouthpiece that is sharp, warm and easy to play.
M-Series
Inspired by the legendary Meyer Bros for alto saxophone. The M series is a piece that exudes warmth and projects with the brilliance necessary to evoke a classic jazz sound and the power that a modern performer needs. It has a medium/large chamber, ribbed side walls and a sumptuous roll-over baffle.
All of the mouthpieces mentioned are manufactured in one of the most advanced CNC machining workshops in the United States, allowing for an incredible level of precision and absolute consistency from piece to piece. There is no need to worry about whether you will receive a ‘good’ one because they are all great. In addition, each one is hand-finished in the workshop and personally tested by Jack.
The Voyager Tool
An emergency repair tool specifically designed for saxophones, portable and airline-safe, made of steel and aluminium, in the style of the well-known Swiss Army knives. Includes 1 x 2 mm screwdriver (for palm keys and side keys), 1 x 3 mm screwdriver (for right/left hand keys), 1 x 4 mm screwdriver (for pivot screws and adjustment screws), 1 hook for installing, removing or tensioning springs, and 1 reed trimmer and leveller. Without a doubt, a practical and necessary multi-tool that fits in your pocket.
The Boston Sax Shop list of accessories also includes stylish straps, reed cases, cases, neck joint and mouthpiece cases, grease, compensators, and more.
The brand is distributed worldwide through specialised shops, and we are proud that Brass Market is the official dealer for the whole of Spain.
