Les Becs d’Autan Florida Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Review

Today, I am excited to review the Les Becs d’Autan Florida model tenor saxophone mouthpiece in a 7* tip opening.

I received an email from Phillipe at Les Becs d’Autan where he described the Les Becs d’Autan Florida model mouthpiece as an “Exact reproduction of a “No-USA” Otto Link Florida tenor saxophone mouthpiece, CNC-machined from the brass with the highest copper content (for a rich sound), refaced and hand-mirror-polished by hand, gold or silver plated with a Green/Black marbled German ebonite bite plate. Carefully and precisely recreated without any modifications. Designed to remain faithful to the spirit and quality of the historic model, down to the smallest detail.”-Phillipe (Les Becs d’Autan mouthpieces)  

After reading this description, how could I say “No thanks” to reviewing this Florida model tenor saxophone mouthpiece by Les Becs d’Autan?  Could you say “No thanks”? Yeah, I didn’t think so……

Les Becs D’Autan Florida Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece

After sending off my email eagerly asking to review this mouthpiece, I received an email back from Philippe asking me for more details in order to prepare the mouthpiece:

Les Becs D’Autan Florida Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece

The Les Becs d’Autan Florida model tenor sax mouthpiece arrived about 4-6 weeks later.  The mouthpiece looked beautiful upon opening the box.  The mouthpiece was well protected in the packaging it made the journey from France to the USA in.

The gold plating on the Les Becs d’Autan Florida model tenor mouthpiece looks thick, shiny, rich and excellently done.  The green and black marbled bite plate looks beautiful and exquisitely crafted.  You definitely want to put a clear mouthpiece patch over this bite plate so you can see that cool green marbled design.

On first inspection, the Les Becs d’Autan Florida tenor saxophone mouthpiece looks very similar to the Otto Link design and body it is replicating.  When it is sitting on my shelf with my other metal Otto Link tenor sax mouthpieces, it is hard to tell which one is the Les Becs d’Autan Florida mouthpiece without looking closer at the green bite plate and engraving.  The shape and size of the mouthpiece body looks identical to an Otto Link tenor sax mouthpiece design even including the ridge on the top of the mouthpiece body.

Les Becs D’Autan Florida Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece

The tip rails and side rails look thin, even and precise.  The tip rail curve is very close in shape to the reed tip curves of my BSS, Rigotti Gold and Vandoren Java Green tenor saxophone reeds I used on this mouthpiece.  I detected no issues in regard to mouthpiece suction (when performing the mouthpiece suction test) or in reed response.

The table looks flat and even and the window looks similar if not exactly the same shape and size of an Otto Link metal tenor saxophone mouthpiece window.

The mouthpiece side rails are scooped out as they lead to the medium sized chamber which is typical for Florida Otto Link tenor saxophone mouthpieces.  The roof of the chamber underneath the table is nice and thin.  When looking into the chamber from the tip of the mouthpiece, you can see a ridge where the bore starts at the back of the chamber area which is a sign that the chamber is slightly larger than the bore of the mouthpiece.

Les Becs D’Autan Florida Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece

The baffle has a noticeable ridgeline that you can see when you look at the baffle in the right light.  You can see it in the photo above and more distinctly in some of the photos of the chamber further down this page where that ridge really stands out.  I have only had two No-USA Otto Link tenor sax mouthpieces through my hands all these years and neither of those had this noticeable baffle ridge but those two mouthpiece were refaced before I bought them so who knows what they looked like originally.

I did just do a Google search for No-USA Florida Otto Link tenor saxophone mouthpieces, and I do see some with that same baffle ridgeline when photographed in the right light so there was probably variations in the baffles of these Otto Links as there are in modern day Otto Link mouthpieces as well. Interesting!

*I just found this important bit of info on Theo Wanne’s Mouthpiece Museum page:

“The first Otto Link No-USA tenor saxophone mouthpieces had a very high and deep arced roll-over baffle. This made them very bright. Since this roll-over was completely done by hand, the sound from one mouthpiece to the next varied greatly . The later versions had less of a round, and a bit more of a step shape.”-Theo Wanne 

I think, from this description, that the Les Becs d’Autan tenor saxophone mouthpiece might be a copy of a later No-USA Florida Otto Link tenor saxophone mouthpiece.  Thanks for the clarity Theo Wanne!

You can see the Les Becs d’Autan Florida tenor saxophone mouthpiece next to the No-USA Florida Otto Link mouthpiece it was copied from in the photo below.

Les Becs D’Autan Florida Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece on Top

Otto Link No-USA Florida Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece on Bottom

Philippe included a letter with the Les Becs d’Autan Florida tenor sax mouthpiece and I’ve included a portion of it below just to convey his obvious passion and heart when it comes to making Les Becs d’Autan saxophone mouthpieces.

“Hi Steve,

Here’s my latest model of metal mouthpiece for tenor saxophone: the Florida 7*/48 gold-plated hand-mirror polished.

As you know, I’ve been following your reviews closely for several years now, and I must say they’ve often inspired me. Your precise and honest look at the material is a real reference for saxophonists. That’s why I’d love to get your opinion on this mouthpiece through a review.

As a passionate French craftsman, this mouthpiece represents the culmination of many hours of work and a love for detail and the history of the saxophone.  My aim, over and above creating a high-performance mouthpiece, is to offer musicians real emotions with a genuine hand-crafted replica of a legendary model that is increasingly expensive and increasingly rare, for a much more affordable price.  I hope that it will capture your interest, and that of your community of saxophonists.”-Philippe (Les Becs d’Autan website)

Les Becs D’Autan Florida Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece

Here is how the Les Becs d’Autan website describes the new Florida model tenor saxophone mouthpiece:

“The Les Becs d’Autan “Florida” mouthpiece is meticulously handcrafted with precision and care. This model is a faithful reproduction of the highly sought-after numbered “Early” Otto-Link STM Florida No-Usa mouthpieces from the 60s. With its large chamber inherited from the Otto-Link STM Florida Double Ring mouthpiece of the ’50s and a subtly reinforced baffle, it offers a unique and versatile sound, appreciated by jazz legends such as John Coltrane, Dexter Gordon, Johnny Griffin, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, Sonny Rollins, Benny Golson, Chris Potter, Joshua Redman…

The sound is broad and buzzy, with the impression of a “natural reverb” built into the mouthpiece. It is homogeneous throughout the range of the instrument, in all nuances. This mouthpiece really lets you shape your own sound, and feels like it’s following you through whatever you want to play. It’s also compatible with all your reeds, thanks to its perfectly flat top. The dynamic range is quite impressive and extensive: low nuances are truly whispers and loud nuances are roars. Highs and lows are very easy in direct or subtone sound… The true vintage Otto-Link sound!

Like the mythical mouthpiece from which it takes its inspiration, the “Florida” is sold new, already traditionally hand-refaced by Philippe, checked and tested before shipping, guaranteeing the highest level of finish and playability.

Manufactured to the highest standards of quality and performance, the “Florida” is the perfect choice for discerning saxophonists seeking a rich, traditional, free-blowing sound with excellent projection.

Treat yourself to an exceptional musical experience with the superior build quality and sound of the “Florida” – Metal Tenor Sax Model.”-Les Becs d’Autan website

Les Becs D’Autan Florida Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece

I was looking forward to playtesting the Les Becs d’Autan Florida tenor saxophone mouthpiece.  I was also excited to try a 48 length facing curve because I have been thinking of having that 48 length facing curve put on a Florida Otto Link (it now has a 50 facing curve length) tenor saxophone mouthpiece I own, but wasn’t sure if I wanted to have it refaced again.  By playtesting the Les Becs d’Autan Florida mouthpiece with that 48 length facing curve, I could test if I really liked that 48 facing length as much as I thought I did.

I have found that shorter facing curve lengths (such as 47 or 48) on tenor saxophone mouthpieces allow me to use a softer reed while still feeling some healthy resistance to blow against while playing.  For example, in four of the clips below, I am using a strength 2 1/2 reed.  Conversely, a 2 1/2 reed on a 50 length facing curve would most likely feel too soft and flimsy for me but on this 48 length facing curve the 2 1/2 Hard Roberto’s Winds reed felt very comfortable.

Les Becs D’Autan Florida Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece

The Les Becs d’Autan Florida tenor saxophone mouthpiece played great for me.  I was a little worried by looking at that rollover baffle that it was going to be too bright for my tastes but I really enjoyed where it sat on that scale from dark to bright in the tenor saxophone tone spectrum.  I would say that this Les Becs d’Autan Florida tenor sax mouthpiece leaned to the darker side of that tone spectrum.  While playing,  the tone seemed to remain mostly warm and fat while up in the second register and altissimo register the tone didn’t get annoyingly bright and edgy for me.

I also felt like the tone of the Les Becs d’Autan Florida tenor saxophone mouthpiece balanced nicely between being focused and spread sounding. I have played Otto Links that were laser-beam focused and others that were way too spread in tone for my tastes.  For me, a spread tone can be large and fill the room, but to my ears, it is hard to hear the center or edges of that spread sound. It’s like the notes are filling the whole room with a wash of sound but I have trouble hearing the details of that sound if that makes sense.  The Les Becs d’Autan Florida mouthpiece seemed to sit in the middle of those two extremes.  It has a big sound that I would describe as spread but also a beautiful focus to the tone that allows me to hear more of that centered core of the sound I like to hear.

I also loved how each reed I tried on the Les Becs d’Autan Florida mouthpiece gave a different vibe and tone in my opinion.  I usually don’t included six sound clips in a review, but each of those reeds played really well on the Les Becs d’Autan Florida mouthpiece and I felt they each offered slightly different sounds, textures and responses.  I loved bits and pieces of each sound clip and decided to offer all six of them for your discerning ears as well.

Les Becs D’Autan Florida Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece

I would say that the Les Becs d’Autan Florida tenor saxophone mouthpiece is a great example of a terrific Florida Otto Link style tenor saxophone mouthpiece.  In my opinion, it straddles that midway point between dark and warm to brighter and in-your-face in a great way.

For jazz ballads, it can be so warm and lush sounding with the foo foo sub-tone sounding so beautiful.  The tone is round and full sounding with the tone having a character and weight to it that is substantial.

By hardening your bottom lip and blowing a bit harder it can morph into a more in-your-face brighter tone while still retaining that core “Link” sound and roundness of tone.  Don’t get me wrong, it is not at all similar in tone or power to a Guardala or Ponzol M2 tenor sax mouthpiece, but it is a great playing Otto Link style mouthpiece that can be pushed in that brighter direction when needed.

Les Becs D’Autan Florida Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece

I found the Les Becs d’Autan Florida tenor saxophone mouthpiece to give me a similar volume as I would typically get from a great Florida Otto Link tenor sax mouthpiece.   On my volume scale, a great Otto Link style tenor mouthpiece usually gives my an 8 out of 10 for volume. The truth is,  that writing that doesn’t mean much to those of you who haven’t played a great playing Florida Otto Link tenor mouthpiece.  I will say that for me, a great playing Otto Link style tenor mouthpiece can bridge a bunch of styles of music.  You can kill it with a warm and sultry jazz tenor sax tone on a ballad or rip into a brighter R&B solo like Clarence Clemmons or Michael Brecker.  Again, to reiterate, not like a Guardala mouthpiece or other high baffled tenor sax mouthpiece but could I push it in that direction?  Yes.  That being written from the comfort of my home office is one thing, the true test is how the Les Becs d’Autan Florida mouthpiece performs on a stage with a loud band and whether this mouthpiece has the volume and brightness to cut through the mix in that setting.  The only way to test that, is to try playing it in that setting for yourself.

Les Becs D’Autan Florida Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece

The intonation on the Les Becs d’Autan Florida tenor saxophone mouthpiece was excellent and the tone was even and smooth throughout the range of the saxophone when playing fast jazz lines.   The articulation was responsive and crisp and the mouthpiece responded immediately to vibrato and bends.

The altissimo register was great and all the notes in that higher register responded as expected.  I did have some altissimo issues on the softer Roberto’s Winds 2 1/2 Soft reed at first that made it hard to reach the altissimo notes but after a bit of playing, I figured out the altissimo voicing needed as you can hear in the altissimo clip for that reed.  In my opinion, that struggle was more an issue of using too soft a reed than anything to do with the mouthpiece.

One of the best aspects of playing the Les Becs d’Autan Florida tenor saxophone mouthpiece for me was the low notes.  I just felt like they were so rich, warm and full sounding that I really just enjoyed sitting on those low notes while playing.   This, in my mind, is a key characteristic of a great playing Otto Link tenor saxophone mouthpiece. Those hearty, full of character low notes that just vibrate and ring around the room whether played at full volume or a sultry sub-tone.

Les Becs D’Autan Florida Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece

I’ve included three sets of sound clips for you to check out. The only difference between the clips is the strength of reed I used.

The first two were recorded with a BSS (Boston Sax Shop) #3 Silver Box tenor saxophone reed.  I recorded a clip of my usual lines and licks I play in every mouthpiece review for the first sound clip.  The second sound clip is more of an R&B altissimo style clip with reverb added.

The second set of clips (clips 3 & 4) is with a Roberto’s Winds 2 1/2 Hard tenor saxophone reed. I really enjoyed playing on this reed as well.  It felt similar to the BSS #3 reed as far as strength to me but where the BSS 3 seemed to have more thickness to the sound, the Roberto’s Winds 2 1/2 Hard reed seemed to have more focus to my ears.  I also recorded an altissimo clip with this reed with reverb added as well.

Lastly, the third set of clips (clips 5 & 6) is with the Roberto’s Winds 2 1/2 Soft tenor saxophone reed.  This reed felt a bit soft for me but there are some lines, tones and sounds in this clip that I really liked as well so I left it in.  As mentioned above,  I also included an altissimo clip with this reed as well.

Les Becs D’Autan Florida Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece

In my opinion, the Les Becs d’Autan Florida 7* tenor saxophone mouthpiece is a great tenor sax mouthpiece for those of you looking for a tenor saxophone mouthpiece that is inspired by a vintage No-USA Florida Otto Link.  An original, vintage No-USA Otto Link tenor saxophone mouthpiece is hard to find,  and when you do find one online, they are incredibly expensive,  so having an option to buy an excellent mouthpiece along the same lines as a No-USA Otto Link at a much more affordable price is nice.

The body and design of this mouthpiece is in the Otto Link style but the true test is how the Les Becs d’Autan Florida tenor mouthpiece performs for the player.  You have heard tenor sax players claim that there is nothing better than a great playing Otto Link tenor mouthpiece and in my mind this is what this mouthpiece is.  It is a beautifully crafted tenor sax mouthpiece that in my mind captures that amazing vintage Otto Link quality even though it doesn’t have the Otto Link name engraved on it.

Phillippe at Les Becs d’Autan did an absolutely incredible job creating this tenor saxophone mouthpiece.  His artistry and craftsmanship are evident from his work.  I am looking forward to seeing more of his mouthpiece work in the future.

If you like the sound and look of the Les Becs d’Autan Florida 7* tenor saxophone mouthpiece, you can find them at the Les Becs d’Autan website.

If you try a Les Becs d’Autan Florida tenor saxophone mouthpiece or have any thoughts, comments or questions on this review,  I would love to hear what you think in the comments below.  Thanks,   Steve

Les Becs D’Autan Florida Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece-Boston Sax Shop 3 Silver Box Reed

Les Becs D’Autan Florida Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece-Boston Sax Shop 3 Silver Box Reed-Altissimo Clip with Reverb Added

Les Becs D’Autan Florida Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece-Roberto’s Winds 2 1/2 Hard Reed

Les Becs D’Autan Florida Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece-Roberto’s Winds 2 1/2 Hard Reed-Altissimo Clip with Reverb Added

Les Becs D’Autan Florida Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece-Roberto’s Winds 2 1/2 Soft Reed

Les Becs D’Autan Florida Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece-Roberto’s Winds 2 1/2 Soft Reed-Altissimo Clip with Reverb Added