Metal HL 2024 is Gottsu’s rendition of a high-baffle, Tin mouthpiece from the 1980s (the golden-era of Fusion).  The HL utilizes a special Tin alloy to achieve an excellent tone while having a greater physical strength than pure Tin.  The polished, bare Tin alloy will naturally tarnish and darken over time, which causes the HL to acquire a very vintage appearance. In the 2024 edition, Gottsu’s sliding ligature system now accompanies the mouthpiece. The ligature slides into grooves cut parallel to the mouthpiece table, and utilizes a mechanism that presses the contact plate securely and evenly down onto the reed, which significantly improves performance over a conventional ligature.

Tin alloy resonates similarly to Ebonite (hard-rubber), which has a warm tone and rich harmonic overtones.  The high baffle chamber causes the HL to produce an edgy and powerful tone, which enables clear and crisp expression – especially in fast passages and cadenzas.

There is a legendary mouthpiece that has curved table, asymmetrical side and tip rail, and is roughly made; it is like a wild stallion.  Although difficult to control for beginners, you are able to produce a wonderfully unique tone once you master it.  Many saxophonists, such as Kenny G. and David Sanborn, became addicted to the wonderful sound once they were able to control it.  I think the true essence of this mouthpiece is the impression of it being bright with sharp edges; however, it has a dark side as well, which makes it very attractive.  The Metal HL aims to be such a mouthpiece.”

–Masahiko Goto

Instruments: Soprano, Alto, Tenor

Opening size: 

Soprano: 53, 55, 57, 59, 61, 63, 67
Alto: 71, 75, 79, 83, 87
Tenor: 89, 95, 100, 105, 110, 115, 120

※see table below for mm sizing 

Material: Tin alloy  

Chamber Shape: Medium large Chamber, semicircle  

Baffle: High baffle  

Tone characteristics: Bright and Dark, Rich overtones, has an edge, Powerful

Style: Pop, Fusion  

* Natural cane reed recommended