The Spectruoso mouthpieces
A great new composite material, the "Grounds"
that brings up the roots of the vibration,
inspired by the determination of finding a modern material
that resonates like wood,
with absolute consistency and more focus.
A new design with a beautifully mixed polished and sanded (matte) surface, with a
curve at the junction between the beak and the body of the mouthpiece and at
the junction between shank and body.
Every single FL mouthpiece is hand finished: tip, baffle, window, facing, front rail,
side rails and beak.
The Signature model is entirely hand finished and signed by François Louis himself,
and is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity.
The Spectruoso is a baffled mouthpiece. It is available with two different chambers.
The Sphere Chamber
Is the replica of the original FL mouthpieces. It offers an unbelievable dynamic range with a full and rich sound color from the pianissimo to the most powerful fortissimo. It really conveys the air you blow into sound, with an enormous efficiency and a total spectrum of harmonics. Highs, Mids and Lows: dark and bright altogether with a rich medium color. For those who love to use sound colors the way painters do.
The Medium Large Chamber
Is an ogival, more traditional type of chamber. It offers quite the same advantages of
dynamics with more separation in the spectrum between highs ad lows. A more airy sound with a lot of bounce. The perfect mouthpiece for "Hard Bop" style. Reminiscent of the sound of the 50's, playing with the efficiency of the best "modern" mouthpieces.
The facing is an important and most probably the most personal element of a mouthpiece. Where one likes resistance combined with projection, others prefer free blowing with darkness or resistance. The facing is the key to the potential of the mouthpiece. An overview of the facing properties can be found below.
Spectruoso for Bb Soprano saxophone
The Soprano Spectruoso mouthpiece is available with the two common chambers, and with six different tip openings combined with different facings.
S155 is a 1.55 mm tip opening (61/00") equivalent to the traditional "6" opening.
Combined with a medium facing length and a progressive facing curve. Very stable with enough flexibility to vary sound colors, fast response.
Best fit with #2 1/2 to #3 1/2 reeds, Jazz cut as well as Classical cut.
S175 is a 1.75 mm tip opening (69/00") equivalent to the traditional "7" opening.
Combined with a medium short facing length and a progressive facing curve. This is the "universal" mouthpiece: very stable, centered pitch, small enough to be playable by amateurs and students, big enough to put some air and be playable by professionals. Very precise. Extremely responsive with a lot of projection.
Best fit with #1 1/2 to #5 reeds, Jazz or Classical cut.
S195 is a 1.95 mm tip opening (77/00") equivalent to the traditional "7*/8" opening.
Combined with a medium facing length and a progressive facing curve. Great flexibility combined with stability and a well-centred pitch.
Best fit with #2 to #4, Jazz or Classical cut.
S215 is a 2.15 mm tip opening (85/00") equivalent to the traditional "8*" opening.
Combined with a medium long facing length and a soft facing curve. Due to the longer facing curve, it brings more resistance and takes more air. (This make it feel "bigger") The soft curve gives it a lot of flexibility. This is the best mouthpiece for the professional players that need to use all possibilities of dynamics, sound colors and range in one mouthpiece, without having to struggle too hard on a real big mouthpiece.
Best fit with #2 1/2 to #4 reeds. Even if the Classical cut will play good, the «Jazz cut» will be a better fit with this type of facing.
S240 is a 2.40 mm tip opening (95/00") equivalent to the traditional "9*" opening.
Combined with a long facing length and a progressive facing curve. Very well balanced and efficient, due to the progressive curve it keeps a well-centred pitch with flexibility, lot of projection and a big low range. For the player who likes to blow a lot of air without loosing control.
Best fit with #2 to #4 reeds. Better fit with “Jazz Cut”
S270 is a 2.70 mm tip opening (106/00") equivalent to the traditional "10*" opening.
Combined with a long facing length and a smooth progressive facing curve. Perfect mix of resistance and flexibility, Enormous sound, projection, very big and full low range. For the players who need a total freedom of expression and are prepared to put a lot of air, having developed a good control of the embouchure/air stream balance.
Virtually any reed.
All XL Soprano size ligatures fit the Soprano Spectruoso mouthpiece.
RRP*: EUR 235.00 (Signature model)
Spectruoso for Eb Alto saxophone
The Alto Spectruoso mouthpiece is available with the two common chambers, and with seven different tip openings.
A185 is a 1.85 mm tip opening (72/00") equivalent to the traditional "5"/"5*" opening. Combined with a medium short facing length and a progressive facing curve. Very stable with enough flexibility to vary sound colors, fast response.
Best fit with #2 1/2 to #3 1/2 reeds (FL Excellence/Classique).
A205 is a 2.05 mm tip opening (80/00") equivalent to the traditional "6" opening. Combined with a short facing length and a progressive facing curve. This is the "universal" mouthpiece: very stable, centred pitch, small enough to be playable by amateurs and students, big enough to put some air and be playable by professionals. Very precise. Extremely responsive and fast staccato with a lot of projection.
Best fit with #2 1/2 to #4 reeds (FL Excellence/Classique).
A225 is a 2.25 mm tip opening (88/00") equivalent to the traditional "7" opening. Combined with a medium facing length and a progressive facing curve. Great flexibility combined with stability and a well-centred pitch.
Best fit with #1 1/2 to #5 (FL Excellence/Classique).
A235 is a 2.35 mm tip opening (92/00") equivalent to the traditional "7*" opening. Combined with a medium long facing length and a soft facing curve. Due to the longer facing curve, it brings more resistance and takes more air. (This make it feel "bigger") The soft curve gives it a lot of flexibility. This is the best mouthpiece for the professional players that need to use all possibilities of dynamics, sound colors and range in one mouthpiece, without having to struggle too hard on a real big mouthpiece.
Best fit with #2 1/2 to #4 reeds (best fit with FL Excellence).
A255 is a 2.55 mm tip opening (100/00") equivalent to the traditional "8*" opening. Combined with a long facing length and a progressive facing curve. Very well balanced and efficient, due to the progressive curve it keeps a well-centred pitch with flexibility, lot of projection and a big low range. For the player who likes to blow a lot of air without loosing control.
Best fit with #2 to #4 reeds (best fit with FL Excellence).
A285 is a 2.85 mm tip opening (112/00") equivalent to the traditional "9*" opening. Combined with a long facing length and a smooth progressive facing curve. Perfect mix of resistance and flexibility, very demanding, for players who are prepared to work hard and get rewarded by a full, rich and big sound, without loosing response and center.
Best fit with #2 to #5 reeds (best fit with FL Excellence).
A325 is a 3.25 mm tip opening (128/00") equivalent to the traditional "11*" opening. Combined with a long facing length and a progressive facing curve. Enormous sound, flexibility, projection, very big and full low range. For players who need total freedom of expression and are prepared to put a lot of air, having developed a good control of the embouchure/air stream balance. This has been specially conceived for Tenor players used to “big mouthpieces” who can hardly find a big enough mouthpiece while they have to double on the Alto Saxophone.
Best reed fit: at this stage, you know about your reeds!
All XL Alto size ligatures fit the Alto Spectruoso mouthpiece.
RRP*: EUR 199.00 (Regular model) / EUR 259.00 (Signature model)
Spectruoso for Bb Tenor saxophone
For the Bb Tenor Saxophone Spectruoso mouthpiece, there are six different tip openings combined with different facings, in order to privilege efficiency.
T235 is a 2.35 mm tip opening (92/00") equivalent to the traditional "6" opening.
Combined with a medium facing length and a progressive facing curve. Very stable with
enough flexibility to vary sound colors, fast response. Best fit with #2 1/2 to #3 1/2 reeds.
T260 is a 2.60 mm tip opening (102/00") equivalent to the traditional "7" opening.
Combined with a medium facing length and a soft facing curve. Great flexibility with a lot
of projection and immediate response. Best fit with #2 1/2 to #4 reeds.
T280 is a 2.80 mm tip opening (110/00") equivalent to the traditional "8" opening. Combined with a medium short facing length and a progressive facing curve. This is the
"universal" mouthpiece: very stable, centered pitch, small enough to be playable by good amateurs and students, big enough to put real amount of air and be playable by professionals. Lots of projection with bottom on the attack of the note, very precise. virtually every reed fits, from #1 1/2 to #5.
T285 is a 2.85 mm tip opening (112/00") equivalent to the traditional "8/8*" opening.
Combined with a medium long facing length and a soft facing curve. Due to the longer
facing curve, it brings more resistance and takes more air.(This make it feel "bigger") The soft curve gives it a lot of flexibility. This is the best mouthpiece for the professional player that needs to use all possibilities of dynamics, sound colors and range in one mouthpiece., without having to struggle too hard on a real big mouthpiece. Best fit with #2 1/2 to #4 reeds.
T315 is a 3.15 mm tip opening (124/00") equivalent to the traditional "9*" opening.
Combined with a medium long facing length and a progressive facing curve. Very well
balanced and efficient, it keeps a well centered pitch with flexibility, lot of projection and a big fat low range "à la Ben Webster". For the player who likes to blow a lot of air without loosing control. Best fit with #2 to #4 reeds.
T350 is a 3.50 mm tip opening (137/00") equivalent to the traditional "10*" opening.
Combined with a long facing length and a progressive facing curve. Enormous sound,
flexibility, projection, very fat low range, for the player who needs a total freedom of
expression and is prepared to put a lot of air, having developed a good control of the
embouchure/air stream balance. Not for everybody, but wow!
All L Tenor size ligatures fit the Tenor Spectruoso Mouthpiece.
RRP*: EUR 209.00 (Regular model) / EUR 279.00 (Signature model)
Spectruoso for Eb Baritone saxophone
The Spectruoso mouthpiece for Eb baritone saxophone is available with 6 different tip openings combined with different facings to privilege efficiency.
B260 is a 2.60 mm tip opening (102/00") equivalent to the traditional 6 opening, combined with a medium facing length and a progressive facing curve. Very stable with enough flexibility to vary sound color, with fast response. Best fit with #2 1/2 to #3 1/2 reeds.
B285 is a 2.85 mm tip opening (112/00") equivalent to the traditional 7 opening, combined with a medium facing length and a soft facing curve. Great flexibility with a lot of projection and immediate response. Best fit with #2 1/2 to #4 reeds.
B305 is a 3.05 mm tip opening (120/00") equivalent to the traditional 8 opening, combined with a medium short facing length and a progressive facing curve. This is the universal mouthpiece: very stable, centred pitch, small enough to be playable by good amateurs and students, big enough to put real amount of air and be playable by professionals. Lots of projection with bottom on the attack of the note, very precise. Virtually every reed strength is suitable, from #1 1/2 to #5.
B325 is a 3.25 mm tip opening (128/00") equivalent to the traditional 8*/9 opening, combined with a medium long facing length and a soft facing curve. Due to the longer facing curve, it brings more resistance and takes more air. (This make it feel "bigger") The soft curve gives it a lot of flexibility. This is the best mouthpiece for the professional player that needs to use all possibilities of dynamics, sound colors and range in one mouthpiece without having to struggle too hard on a real big mouthpiece. Best fit with #2 1/2 to #4 reeds.
B345 is a 3.45 mm tip opening (136/00") equivalent to the traditional 9* opening, combined with a medium long facing length and a progressive facing curve. Very well balanced and efficient, it keeps a well-centred pitch with flexibility, lot of projection and a big fat low range. For the player who likes to blow a lot of air without losing control. Best fit with #2 to #4 reeds.
B365 is a 3.65 mm tip opening (144/00") equivalent to the traditional "10*" opening, combined with a long facing length and a progressive facing curve. Enormous sound, flexibility, projection, very fat low range, for the player who needs a total freedom of expression and is prepared to put a lot of air, having developed a good control of the embouchure/air stream balance. Plays very well on the bass saxophone also.
The Spectruoso mouthpiece for baritone saxophone comes only in Signature edition.
All L Baritone François Louis ligatures fit the Spectruoso for baritone saxophone.
RRP*: EUR 349.00 (Signature model)
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Care
To enjoy your mouthpiece at its best, clean it regularly with a soft toothbrush and mild dish soap. Composite materials are sensitive to solvents, so avoid using any.
Resonance has been privileged. Although stronger than hard rubber the "grounds" is not an unbreakable material. Care for your mouthpiece gently to get the most out of it.
Fore more tips & tricks, visit the FL website.
* RRP: Recommended retail price for sales in the European Union (VAT included).
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