About refacing
The "refacing" of a mouthpiece, what is it?
The "facing" refers to the area (curvature of the mouthpiece) where the reed can vibrate. The "refacing" therefore consists mainly in creating a new curve (faing) allowing the reed to vibrate optimally . This significantly improves the sound, playing comfort, articulation, accuracy, power... In short, the performance of the mouthpiece.
During the "refacing", the other no less important elements such as the table, the rails, the opening, the ceiling, the window, the surface finishes, the baffle are adjusted and optimized to obtain a perfectly tuned saxophone mouthpiece.
We use traditional artisanal work techniques, with modern computer tools for a rigorous and extremely precise result. Every mouthpiece that passes through our hands is meticulously hand-tuned over several hours and tested until it sounds the best it can be.
Our tailor-made, high-precision (1/100 mm) hand-made refacing work will transform your mouthpieces and give you a smile.
Which mouthpiece can be refaced?
The majority of mouthpieces sold new today. They are made by machines to respond to mass production without then passing into the hands of a refinishing craftsman to sublimate them, often neglecting the quality of finish as in the photo opposite.
And many "vintage" mouthpieces . Who suffer them, wear / damage over time, even invisible to the naked eye.
Why reface my mouthpiece by hand ?
For reasons of economy.It's cheaper to reface mouthpieces you already own, than to change instruments or mouthpieces.
And because the mouthpiece constitutes the "vocal cords" of the saxophone, as such it is a determining element which conditions the sound obtained by the saxophonist. Too often underestimated. Mouthpiece care is also important as long as that brought to the instrument, if not more.
What alternative?
The use of a new mouthpiece already refaced by hand, like the ones I'm developing. The refacing work is identical to that that I perform on the mouthpieces that I am sent to reface really accurate to 1/100th of a mm. But with the guarantee of a natural and traditional material selected for its excellent acoustic properties; and a design very close to the most popular large vintage mouthpieces wanted.
What will a refacing of my mouthpiece do for me?
- Release the bass and/or the treble,
- Facilitate the emission of sound,
- Eliminate unwanted squeaks/whistles,
- Improve articulation,
- Add "grain" or "body" to the sound,
- Allow more reeds to work on the mouthpiece,
- Gain in homogeneity of timbre over the entire register of the saxophone,
- Improve accuracy,
- Eliminate "hollow" notes (difficult to make sound),
- Facilitate vibrato,
- Increase power,
- Make the mouthpiece less tiring to play...
Who is refacing for?
To all ! Professional musicians, amateurs, beginners, experienced, students, pupils.
But also all saxophones : Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone.
And to all styles of music : Classical, Jazz, Rock, Funk, Bossa, House, Groove, R'n'B...
Some people might be surprised at how easily and beautifully a saxophone can be played when the mouthpiece allows it. Those who have had their mouthpiece refaced at "Les Becs d'Autan" know this. A good mouthpiece inspires the saxophonist, because a new sound palette becomes possible and old musical barriers are overcome.
Why have my mouthpiece refaced?
The mouthpiece constitutes the "vocal cords" of the saxophone, as such it is a determining element which conditions the sound obtained by the saxophonist . The care given to the mouthpiece is as important as that given to the instrument, if not more. For a much more reasonable budget than changing instruments or mouthpieces.
This is the only way to precisely adjust all the parameters and to draw all the potential and magic from it. Refacing makes it possible to eliminate all the obstacles in the emission of the sound and to obtain a "full" and homogeneous sound over the entire range of the instrument without effort/compensations, so that the musician only has to care about the music and give the best of it.
Where does this know-how come from?
Mainly from the United States . The great American saxophone names (Coleman Hawkins, Stan Getz, Michael Brecker, Ben Wendel...) worked closely with their "refacer" to adjust their mouthpieces. This tradition is an essential element for any saxophonist who wishes to have no problems with his equipment and/or who wishes to get closer to the sound of the great legendary saxophonists.
It is after numerous experiments, tests, study of documents that we have acquired solid knowledge and pierced the secrets on the calculation of the curves and the effect of each of them on the sound.
Before / After refacing of a Berg Lars in stainless steel for tenor sax.
Video directed by Toni Pola from "SaxoEnLaRed":
How is the facing curve defined?
We calculate the "ideal curve" on the computer in a rigorously mathematical way, with regard to the mouthpieces that we have already met and our knowledge, adapting it to the requests of each client to correspond to each one's needs. We then work on the mouthpiece until we achieve the same "ideal curve" as that calculated by computer. For this we always take the maximum number of measurement points on the facing in order to obtain a perfect result. Example opposite.
How is the refacing carried out in practice?
Entirely by hand using specific precision tools, modern measuring methods (computer) and our know-how . All mouthpieces parameters are changed and adjusted with each other:
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The table is made perfectly flat, so that an optimal seal between the reed and the mouthpiece is guaranteed,
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The "side rails" are made perfectly symmetrical and the curve is rectified using the ideal curve calculated by computer,
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The thickness of the side rails is carefully adjusted,
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The "upper rail" is adapted to the curve of the reed,
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The entry curve of the ceiling is optimized and polished,
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The surface conditions are made smooth,
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It is also possible to modify the opening of the spout within certain limits.
During the process, material is removed, which means that any plating disappears only on the worked areas (for metal mouthpieces). But we offer gold and silver plating if you want to remedy this, for a look like the original after refacing. Nothing changes cosmetically with ebonite or plastic mouthpieces.
Each refaced mouthpiece is signed with our initials (LBA) and the exact opening of your mouthpiece in thousandths of an inch. This consists of a discreet engraving on the side of the spout along the table. (Example: "LBA.085")
We recommend using a new reed with a new refaced mouthpiece.