Back in 1996 I was on a quest to find a mouthpiece for my Balanced Action alto that would do what I wanted. With the incredible number of pieces available, I was going nuts play testing them.

I’d tried dozens! Then I spotted your ad in The Saxophone Journal and gave you a call. I was immediately impressed by your willingness to spend time on the phone determining what I was looking for. You found out what my horn was and what I’d been playing on it, what I’d tried and what I found lacking in those, and you asked a few other questions. You also explained your policy was no refund, but that you’d work with me virtually forever until I was satisfied. When it arrived, the first thing I noticed was the obvious quality of workmanship. As a former machinist, I have an eye for those fine details that truly finish a piece of work; no easy job with copper. I put it on the horn and it took exactly one note, less than a second, and I knew that there was no way I was sending it back; not even if you offered me twice the price I paid!

The low register just rolled out of the horn, the altissimo screamed, and everything in between was easier to play in tune. Sure, intonation is the player’s job, but my Super Gonz did (and still does) an impeccable job of transmitting my intentions to the instrument. You just can’t ask for more than that.

Since then, I’ve mostly been playing lead in big bands in the area and the tone quality is crystal clear and never shrill. Without over-blowing, which we tend to do when trying to survive in front of all those brass players, I can be heard above the section. This not only means that I can actually lead, but that subtle dynamics are possible. At the same time, I can get a very contemporary sound when called for in a small group setting.

Have had the KWI I for several weeks now and am just amazed at how great my setup has become.

My new sound has not gone unnoticed. The section I play in has given it rave reviews.

You have an outstanding mouthpiece! I am looking forward to receiving my soprano piece in the next several weeks. I highly recommend to you to all my friends.

I've been playing the saxophone for about 12 years and about a year ago I bought a tenor.

After failed attempts to find the 'right' mouthpiece to give me the sound I was looking for, in frustration I boxed up my horn and went back to my soprano.

I was invited to see Kirk Whalum in concert at a local church and was awe struck at how he handled the horn. The sound was just incredible.

Needless to say I grabbed my tenor and continued my quest for the right hook-up (mouthpiece-ligature-reed).

Finally after more failed attempts to find the perfect match I tried the Kirk Whalum Sugal mouthpiece and needless to say the rest was history.

The KW I had the full-bodied round sound at the bottom and still enabled me to reach the top with sheer clarity. My goal was/is to have the tenor as my primary and now my soprano is on stand-by as I make my tenor horn a part of my character.

Thank you Sugal and thank you Kirk because I have finally found the right hook-up for my tenor. As horn players we can go months and even years until we find the set up that suits us. Thank you guys for helping to bridge that gap and bringing my search to an end. PJ

If you're looking for a sound of the past with the power and demand of today's music I highly recommend the Sugal Kirk Whalum I & II Mouthpieces for Tenor Saxophone! The sound is pure, clean, yet powerful and focused. My horn responds better. The articulation is clean, extremely fast. There is no resistance at all. Anything you want to play can be played with these mouthpieces. Try one today, you'll be glad you did, and you'll never buy another mouthpiece again...saxman-Boston MA.

I met Kirk Whalum's nephew Kenny this summer, a great young player in his own right ,who Will be on of the top players in the not to distant future . Of course he was playing one your KW models, with incredible sound !

Here are some kind words from players who have received one of the very first KW II's and the New Stealth. Our "NEW" tenor models has everyone talking!

I spoke to you earlier about the KW II. I received it yesterday from the Woodwind and Brasswind.

MR. SUGAL

" THANKS FOR ALL THE SPECIAL ATTENTION IN MY PURCHASE.

I BOUGHT THE NEW SUGAL MOUTHPIECE BECAUSE OF THE PRICE AND YOUR REPUTATION . I KNEW IT WOULD BE GOOD BUT. --I WAS TAKEN BY SURPRISE ITS GREAT!.

IT IS SO VERY EASY TO BLOW AND IT HAS THAT BIG SOUND I WAS LOOKING FOR . I WOULD LIKE THE SAME MOUTHPIECE IN THE BARITONE WHEN YOU GET AROUND TO MAKING ONE . THE 110 OPENING WAS A GREAT CHOICE FOR ME. THANKS FOR LETTING ME SELECT THE OPENING AT TIME OF ENDING AUCTION".

LONNIE B. 35 YEAR TENOR , BARITONE

Damn if that isn't the best playing piece I have ever felt. I threw it on thinking how could it be better than what I was using. It played great at low volumes which brought a new dynamic to my playing and ultimately the band's. After playing 4 songs I put my other favorite mouthpiece on just to see what would happen. I noticed right away the smaller width and less airflow of my Dave Guardala. You got me hooked. Of course, you knew that would happen. Go ahead and charge my card and thank you for insisting that I try it. ERIC

1st I thought it was going to be hard understanding that a mouthpiece like the kw2 could really be that good until I received mine in the mail .

You explained it to the tee my friend ,,after using a Beechler metal, a yaegasawe metal,, and the beechler diamond inlay,, still was not satisfied ,also after meeting Kirk Whalum in person and talking to him,,

It was like going into a doctors office telling him where I am hurting and after calling you and explaining to you what I was using you put me on the map ,,the mouthpiece is wide with a area of improvement that I can work with ..to make a long story short it been a blessing every time I talked to you.

For the price I still say with my Yahama mark2 62 pro series I can take my other two horns and melt them down a make a watch out of them,,,,,,,,always remember you cannot put dollar general tires on a Lincoln town car,,, thanks for everything Gary ,may god continue to bless you and your craftsmanship ,,,lets keep in touch ,my next step is to get something for my alto and soprano saxophones….

A few years ago I heard about Gary Sugal Mouthpieces. At the time, I didn't know much about him other than he makes a descent mouthpiece and they are a bit pricy.

Later I purchased a Super Gonz 2 from one of my friends and I really loved the mouthpiece but this was not the mouthpiece for my style. I later called Gary Sugal and we talked for about 2 hours discussing the vision i have for my sound. About a month later on schedule, the new mouthpiece arrives. The mouthpiece plays like a dream and I couldn't put my horn down for the rest of the day. Perfect intonation, plays with such ease, a better sound than i could even imagine. What more could you want. These mouthpieces are definitely top quality and are worth every single penny.

Just opening it up gives the first glance as to what your company is all about. The beautiful KW ll tenor piece in pure copper looks like a fine piece of jeweled art. The impeccable craftsmanship is something that immediately stands out. It's obvious to see why horn players from all over the planet talk about the beauty of your mouthpieces and the quality of your company.

I have played my saxophones all over the world with world-reknown artists for 25 years. Finding the right piece for that perfect sound has been an obsession for me. I believe I have played on about every mouthpiece out there. Until now, I have never found what I was looking for in terms of sound, clarity, freedom of playing, richness and evenness throughout all the registers.

I am so elated with what I believe is the perfect mouthpiece. It is absolutely flawless and effortless to play. The sound is incredibly brilliant and clear. It's amazing how all the little nuances of the sax can truly be expressed now.

This is the first time that I've ever been so ecstatic about a mouthpiece. The fact that I'm even writing, is because I want to share the good news with other players.

Gary Sugal does it again! I am another discriminating and satisfied customer.

The Kirk Whalum II is a brilliant combination of comfort, intonation, and projection. I started studying saxophone at the age of 10 and continued through high school. Toured with the McDonald's All-American Jazz Band, received a scholarship to Berklee School of Music, studied with Bill Pierce and others. I have performed and/or recorded with Mulgrew Miller, Phineus Newborn, James Williams, Rosemay Clooney, George Benson, Joey DeFrancesco, Al Green, Dave Porter of Sam & Dave, and many many more.

I have a music pallete for all types of music and my playing styles cover a big range as well, from Traditional straight ahead jazz, to commercial, and all in between. ...and being from Memphis, growing up and playing in the church, a soulful big sound is important! This mouthpiece will do the job and do it well.

Gary provided me with great customer service, and provided his product in a timely fashion. I cannot say enough good things about this mouthpiece and its maker, Gary Sugal!

I just wanted to let you know that I truly appreciate your service and the tenor copper mouthpiece I received from you.

After years of searching for that big, full, powerful sound with a bite to it- I have found it with your copper Whalum II mouthpiece. If you added up all of the money I have spent on mouthpieces over the years, it would be at least double the amount I paid for this mouthpiece. In other words, it is worth every penny. To anyone out there who is still searching: get a Sugal !!!!!! What are you waiting for?

Chris L.

Professional musician

Denver, CO

Today I received the mouthpiece ,and from the first blow it was one of the most incredible experiences that I have ever had during my saxophone years (10 years so far),Its almost scary cause is so easy to play even in the altissimo register ,I know that you daily revice lots of mails talking good things about your mouthpieces ,well ,take this humble testimony as an example of how far can go the big help that you`re give to sax players all over the world .Your certainly in the right path .

It was good talking with you the other day. I received my mouthpiece a few weeks ago and have been playing on it ever since. The mouthpiece I received was the Super Gonz I Copper Tenor Sax mouthpiece with a number 7 facing.

This is by far the best mouthpiece I have ever played on. The low notes come out with very little effort as well as the high notes above the written range of the saxophone. One important thing I noticed was the even timbre throughout the range of the saxophone. On many mouthpieces, the highs or lows would be a little brighter than the mid range or visa versa depending on the mouthpiece. This is so consistent throughout the saxophone range. The sound I am able to produce on this mouthpiece is the best of any other mouthpiece I have tried.

The mouthpiece arrived today. It plays great! My sound was instantly louder, more open and more centre without anymore effort on my part. thanks very much!

Just a quick note to thank you once again for the excellent Super Gonz, I got
today. It was well worth the money and wait. I have tried many pieces and
this one really is on the top of my list. I like to put it on the neck, and
look through the mouthpiece, through the chamber and visualize the air
passing into the neck, I can hear it in my minds eye and hear the sound I
want. Your mouthpiece gives me all the timber I am looking for....thank you,
Larry B