Let me just start this by saying that I am absolutely NOT a gear-head! Mouthpieces, reeds, horns....welll.....they don't really interest me. I just like to use whatever works and gives me the sound I'm looking for.  You have GOT to try the newest hard-rubber mouthpiece by Fred Lebayle! It is amazing!

I met Fred Lebayle this January during IAJE.  He is an amazing craftsman.  Lebayle mouthpieces are all made in-house.  Most mouthpiece companies have their mouthpieces made in factories but Fred Lebayle and his talented assistand Nico do all their mouthpiece crafting at their workshop in Lyon, France.   I like my old mouthpiece, I'm not going to lie, it sounds great, its really good BUT the new LR II (i play the number 8) is EASIER, more RESPONSIVE in the ALTISSIMO, and a FATTER sound.  I am so very happy with it AND the amazing ligature! I still sound like me, just improved.  Fred is a really generous person who cares about delivering a great product because he cares about the music genuinely.  Be sure to check out his mouthpieces!  You can find him on myspace at www.myspace.com/fredlebayle and at his official site www.lebayle.com  you can try his mouthpieces also at Roberto's Winds here in NYC www.robertoswinds.com CHECK IT OUT!!!! Seriously!  :)