[George Bundy] [Couf] [Kasper/Goldbeck & Sons] [Otto Link] [Selmer] [Selmer USA] [Strathon] [Woodwind] [Vandoren]
This page is being developed to show a history of mouthpieces - Steve 1/7/06
Click on each picture to bring up a large view.
Couf mouthpieces were produced from (approximate) 1970 to 1989. They were available in 3 types made up of two compounds: Hard Rubber and Ebonite. This excludes the student line which were made from ebonite.
There are Couf mouthpieces made after 1989 which were actually manufactured by UMI, have the Couf name, but were massed produced in a factory that also did the Brilharts and Selmer Goldentones (conjecture). They do not have the same tonal characteristics, sidewall or throat design as the original Couf Mouthpieces and are solely made from ebonite.
It's currently not known who made most of the Couf mouthpieces (the slimline soprano pieces were made by Runyon). But the Coufs were very accurately made. The only other manufacturer that made mouthpieces that accurate (to our knowledge) was Vandoren. And, Vandoren at that time had a line of mouthpiece erieely similar in description to the Coufs. We're still trying to find some for comparison. The trademark manufacturing marks on the Coufs differentiate them from other brands and the UMI variant. The table seems to have been cut using a cylindrical sander, versus normally a flat circular one. Rails and tables are usually quite perfect even after all these years for these mouthpieces.
| [1] Couf UMI piece (post 1989) [2] 4 **** streamlined [3] J8* [4] 5*R |
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| Chambers of [1] Couf UMI piece (post 1989) - striaght sidewalls intruding into the throat. [2] 4 **** streamlined - mostly straightt sidewalls. Large, round throat. [4] 5*R - scooped out sidewalls. large, round throat. |
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| [3] J8* - massive step baffle, slight down angled ramp.
Mouthpiece normally played sharp in relation to normal Artist model (pulled
out on neck more)
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| Couf Artist soprano |
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| Acrylic Couf Alto 4**** - very rare model. |
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Couf Tenor 4*** Streamline Ebonite - Regular baffle, large round throat and chamber. Physical body is much slimmer than the Artist variety.
Couf Tenor 5*R Hard Rubber - Regular baffle, large round throat and chamber
Couf Tenor 8*J HardRubber - step baffle, large round throat and chamber
Couf Alto 3*R
DJH modified (Couf) Alto 4*R
Couf 5*R Hard Rubber - as the sizes get larger the sidewalls become more scooped out.
Couf Ebonite soprano 5
UMI Couf soprano 4 - very poor quality workmanship is the norm on the UMI soprano pieces. The shank bore drilling process can be seen going etching into the throat at various misc. angles on various mpcs.
According to my 1983 mouthpiece Chart Couf had the following pieces available:
Artist Alto regular $45
Artist Alto ,streamline $45
Artist Tenor regular $53
Artist Tenor Streamline (3*, 4* through 9*, 10*) $59
Jazz Tenor regular $59
Jazz Tenor streamline (7*, 8*, 9*, 10*) $59
Artist Baritone regular $83
Artist Baritone streamline $96
Artist soprano (4*, 5*, 6*, 7*, 8*) $44
at the same time Vandoren had these models
Alto streamline (A100, A111)
Alto standard (A101)
Tenor streamline (T100, T111)
Tenor standard (T101)
Bari streamlined (B100, B111)
bari standard (B101)
Soul Tenor (77 open, 99 very open)
Vandy also had their V5 series of sop, salto and tenor mpcs at the time
If anyone comes across a Couf saxophone stand please contact us with
pictures. They came in (a) Couf Deluxe alto/tenor with fl/clar peg; (b)
Couf Deluxe baritone, (c) Couf Deluxe soprano.
Crown alto (Made by Woodwind)
Woodwind soprano N5
Woodwind soprano B5
Woodwind tenor
Woodwood Meliphone tenor
Clear Woodwind rebranded
| Tenor Clear Acrylic - no name branding bore = 65.5mm facing ="2" .068", 42 FL |
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Tenor Tone Master
| Slant Signature Tenor - the signature of "Otto Link" is
written on the mouthpiece in a slant. Considered a very highly sought
after for it's tone. Modern players usually have the tips of these
opened up a bit as they are difficult to find in 5 and above.
bore = 66mm facing = .065", 45 FL Serial # 9719 |
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| Metal Otto Link 5 Seems to be the later Florida model. With U.S.A. stamped opposite "Super" Tone Master writing on the Shank bore = 66mm facing = .083, 43 FL |
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| Metal Otto Link 4 - Florida model Seems to be the later Florida model (per box and design). With U.S.A. stamped opposite "Super" Tone Master writing on the Shank bore = 66mm |
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| Otto Link NY Tone Master Very dark and near tubby sound. Sought after for that vintage blues or jazz sound. bore = mm |
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Kasper 4 alto
| Frank L. Kasper "Superb" silver mouthpiece. 4 w/lig "Successor to Goldbeck & Co." Chicago, IL PAT Feb. 10 1920 A very dark sounding mouthpiece. Size is more reminiscent of a soprano mpc than alto. Very good for vintage horns. When matched with some current modern horns projection is lost and the mouthpiece is a very quiet mpc, very difficult to get loud. Matched with older horns and the mouthpiece is a good fit: especially good on old Selmers, Conns and Martins. This particular piece is available for sale.
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| Selmer Scroll Long Shank Airflow Predecessor to the Soloist. Has round small throat, small tip. Classical players are the normal users. "Airflow Table C*" stamped on table. Gold on Selmer emblem still very detailed. Minor scratching on beak and sides but no gouges from overuse. bore = mm |
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| Selmer Soloist 50s - Similar to the Airflow with a circular throat. Available in larger tip openings. | |
| Selmer Soloist 60s - inverted "U" throat. | |
| Selmer Soloist Style 70s - inverted "U" throat, baffle is less pronounced which produces a very dark sounding mouthpiece |
| Johnston-Selmer New York bore = 67.5mm facing = .060", 45 FL |
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Ajustotone - tenor example. This mouthpiece features an adjustable baffle. Sinple slide the top lever and the baffle moves up/down the interior of the mouthpeice.
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O'Brien mouthpieces were originally manufactured by
1985 Examples
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