Mouthpiece comparison charts
Compare tip openings and facings within each saxophone. The alto chart includes additional models beyond the classical recommendations.
Tip opening is the gap between the reed tip and mouthpiece tip. Facing length is the distance from the tip to where the reed meets the flat table. Facing categories are retained as published by each manufacturer.
Alto · Soprano · Tenor · Baritone
Alto Saxophone
| Brand | Model / facing | Tip opening (mm) | Facing length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vandoren | Vandoren A17 | 1.52 | Short |
| Vandoren | Vandoren A27 | 1.65 | Medium Short |
| Vandoren | Vandoren A28 | 1.63+ | Medium Short |
| Vandoren | Vandoren AL3 | 1.52 | Medium Long |
| Vandoren | Vandoren AL 4 | 1.63+ | Medium Short |
| Vandoren | Vandoren AL5 | 1.68 | Medium Long |
| Selmer | Selmer S80 / C | 1.45 | 24 mm |
| Selmer | Selmer S80 / C* | 1.55 | 24 mm |
| Selmer | Selmer S80 / C** | 1.65 | 24 mm |
| Selmer | Selmer S90 / 170 | 1.35 | 24 mm |
| Selmer | Selmer S90 / 180 | 1.45 | 24 mm |
| Selmer | Selmer S90 / 190 | 1.55 | 24 mm |
| Selmer | Selmer S90 / 200 | 1.65 | 24 mm |
| Selmer | Selmer Concept (Alto) | 1.52 | 24 mm |
| Selmer | Selmer Soloist (Alto) / C* | 1.55 | 24 mm |
| Selmer | Selmer Soloist (Alto) / C** | 1.65 | 24 mm |
| Selmer | Selmer Soloist (Alto) / D | 1.75 | 24 mm |
| Selmer | Selmer Soloist (Alto) / E | 1.85 | 24 mm |
| Selmer | Selmer Soloist (Alto) / F | 1.95 | 24 mm |
| Selmer | Selmer Soloist (Alto) / G | 2.05 | 24 mm |
| Selmer | Selmer SD20 (Alto) | 1.74 (unverified) | 30 mm (unverified) |
| Selmer | Selmer Claude Delangle | 1.65 | 24 mm |
| Playnick | Lars Mlekusch (LM) / LM1 | 1.60 | Not published |
| Playnick | Lars Mlekusch (LM) / LM2 | 1.64 | Not published |
| Backun | TM Vocalise (Timothy McAllister) / TM1 | 1.44 | Not published |
| Backun | TM Vocalise (Timothy McAllister) / TM2 | 1.53 | Not published |
| D’Addario | D’Addario Reserve D150 | 1.50 | Medium Long |
Soprano Saxophone
| Model / facing | Tip opening (mm) | Facing length |
|---|---|---|
| Selmer S90 170 | 1.07 | 18 mm |
| Selmer Concept | 1.06 | 21 mm |
| Vandoren SL3 | 1.14 | Medium Long |
| Vandoren S27 | 1.11 | Medium |
| Playnick LM2 | Unknown for soprano | Unknown for soprano |
Playnick currently lists LM1 and LM2 for alto only.
Tenor Saxophone
| Model / facing | Tip opening (mm) | Facing length |
|---|---|---|
| Selmer S90 180 | 1.80 | 23 mm |
| Vandoren T20 | 2.04 | Medium |
| Vandoren TL3 | 1.76 | Medium Short |
| Vandoren TL5 | 2.05 | Medium |
Baritone Saxophone
| Model / facing | Tip opening (mm) | Facing length |
|---|---|---|
| Selmer S90 190 | 2.05 | 27 mm |
| Vandoren BL3 | 1.85 | Short |
References
- Vandoren. “A17 V5 Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece.” Product specifications. vandoren.fr.
- Vandoren. “A27 V5 Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece.” Product specifications. vandoren.fr.
- Vandoren. “A28 V5 Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece.” Product specifications. vandoren.fr.
- Vandoren. “AL3 OPTIMUM Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece.” Product specifications. vandoren.fr.
- Vandoren. “AL4 OPTIMUM Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece.” Product specifications. vandoren.fr.
- Vandoren. “AL5 OPTIMUM Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece.” Product specifications. vandoren.fr.
- Henri SELMER Paris. “S80 Mouthpiece for Alto Saxophone.” Specifications for the C, C*, and C** facings. www.selmer.fr.
- Henri SELMER Paris. “S90 Mouthpiece for Alto Saxophone.” Specifications for the 170, 180, 190, and 200 facings. www.selmer.fr.
- Henri SELMER Paris. “Concept Mouthpiece for Alto Saxophone.” Product specifications. www.selmer.fr.
- Henri SELMER Paris. “Soloist Mouthpiece for Alto Saxophone.” Specifications for the C*, C**, D, E, F, and G facings. www.selmer.fr.
- Playnick. “Lars Mlekusch: Classic Sax Series.” Specifications for the alto LM1 and LM2 models. playnick.at.
- Backun. “TM Vocalise Alto Saxophone Mouthpieces.” Specifications for the TM1 and TM2 models. backunmusical.com.
- Henri SELMER Paris. “Claude Delangle Mouthpiece for Alto Saxophone.” Product specifications. www.selmer.fr.
- D’Addario. “Reserve Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece.” PDF brochure, p. 1. Hosted by Just Flutes. www.justflutes.com.
- Henri SELMER Paris. “S90 Mouthpiece for Soprano Saxophone.” Specifications for the 170 facing. www.selmer.fr.
- Henri SELMER Paris. “Concept Mouthpiece for Soprano Saxophone.” Product specifications. www.selmer.fr.
- Vandoren. “SL3 OPTIMUM Soprano Saxophone Mouthpiece.” Product specifications. vandoren.fr.
- Vandoren. “S27 V5 Soprano Saxophone Mouthpiece.” Product specifications. vandoren.fr.
- Henri SELMER Paris. “S90 Mouthpiece for Tenor Saxophone.” Specifications for the 180 facing. www.selmer.fr.
- Vandoren. “T20 V5 Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece.” Product specifications. vandoren.fr.
- Vandoren. “TL3 OPTIMUM Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece.” Product specifications. vandoren.fr.
- Vandoren. “TL5 OPTIMUM Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece.” Product specifications. vandoren.fr.
- Henri SELMER Paris. “S90 Mouthpiece for Baritone Saxophone.” Specifications for the 190 facing. www.selmer.fr.
- Vandoren. “BL3 OPTIMUM Baritone Saxophone Mouthpiece.” Product specifications. vandoren.fr.