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Final Thoughts On SYOS

SYOS Custom Mouthpiece

Let’s talk about the SYOS mouthpieces I have purchased. I genuinely like the sound I get, but getting that sound is not as consistent as I would like. When I get the sound I’m looking for to happen, things are great, but it does not happen every time I play the horn. Granted, none of my other mouthpieces give me what I want to hear every time. However, there is something different about the SYOS mouthpiece when my reed is not perfect.

The sax becomes harder to play when the SYOS mouthpiece and reed combination do not work. It is so bad that I’m constantly sticking the leak light into the horn to look for leaks. If the reed is not working optimally with my other mouthpieces, the malfunction stops at the mouthpiece. Technically, I suppose that is true of the SYOS, but somehow it seems much worse!

Regardless of the sound SYOS produces, the comfort of the mouthpiece is lacking, and it feels wrong and rough and is hard on the embouchure. It is tough to improve and learn new things if the instrument seems to be working against you. It is almost like the mouthpiece is leaking, making the saxophone very difficult to play. I have been using these mouthpieces for more than 3 months and am often disappointed.

My favorite mouthpiece

Vandoren V16 Metal Mouthpiece

To date, I have to say my favorite and most reliable mouthpiece is the Vandoren v16 metal mouthpiece, T8, T9. As with the SYOS mouthpiece, the Vandoren mouthpiece does not always give me what I want, but it is more reliable than the SYOS (for me). Also, I prefer the sound Vandoren produces; it is a smoother, richer sound. It seems the reed can vibrate more freely, which is less stressful on the embouchure.

The SYOS produces a lot of volume, but that isn’t everything. I have found it hard to control and constantly get what I call “squawks.” It is pretty irritating. When I find the perfect reed to use with the SYOS, it is a great performer.

Again, I prefer Vandoren; even if I don’t have that perfect reed, Vandoren will still give me a usable sound without painfully taxing my embouchure. The Vandoren does not produce much volume, but that is not its purpose, and it makes a particular sound, which I don’t get from other mouthpieces, at least not as quickly.

I have always liked the sound I get with Vandoren metal, a classic tenor saxophone sound. There is more I need to learn about using it. So, I believe I will stick with it and make it my primary mouthpiece.

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Tony T

I was a music major in college. Spent 20 years in the Navy Music Program. I am now living in South Carolina. My struggles are with my weight, loneliness, and a lack of motivation to do anything about either. I still love music. I just don’t have the drive I had in my 20’s to chase after it anymore. I don’t know what’s left in this life for me. I have no desire or ambitions toward achieving anything. Is that a lack of will to live? I don’t know. Here I am though. And I will be here until things are different I guess. I’m tired.

3 responses to “Final Thoughts On SYOS”

  1. Tony T Avatar
    Tony T

    I’m really struggling to find the truth about this mouthpiece. I found other issues with my saxophone, and I was causing some problems with my palm keys. Once I sorted these out, the SYOS mouthpiece worked exceptionally well. As you can hear in the recording above, the horn sounds great with this mouthpiece when everything is functioning.

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  2. Yurii Avatar
    Yurii

    I used to play SYOS steady 0.100 for almost 3 years. Considering the fact that at the time I purchased it I was pretty much a beginer, it helped me to develop my sound, but after some time I decided to try other mouthpieces, as I felt I was lacking something in my sound. I then even ordered a custom made SYOS according to the sound I had in my head. I must say people at SYOS really know what they are doing and have great understanding of small details I asked them to correct. Despite all that, I found out that while the volume and playability was getting better, the sound still remained as dull as my first Steady mouthpiece and that is probably because of the material these mouthpieces are made of. Yes, the interior of the mouthpiece has a tremendous influence on the sound a player is getting, but think about blowing your air on a piece of paper and a piece of baking foil. It goes without saying that a piece of foil will resonate much better. I thought it was due to a lack of experience, but after listening to a few other people playing 3D printed mouthpieces, I realized I heard the same dullness in their sound. Tonal complexity and richeness of sound that I can get from a metal mouthpiece with nearly same dimensions as SYOS is just day and night.

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    1. Tony T Avatar
      Tony T

      For me it just was not consistent. There was only a few times I found it as easy to play as everyone was saying. I also found it hard on my embouchure. I do agree that metal mouthpiece sound better for me. Thanks for your comment. It is very appreciated.😊

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