SYOS Alto Sax Mouthpieces: Unboxing + Play Test! 

0:00 - Disclaimer 0:06 - Intro 2:54 - Promo Code Message 4:46 - Unboxing 6:20 - First Looks 8:24 - Mouthpiece-Only Play Test 9:22 - SMOKY (Blue) Mouthpiece Play Test + First Impressions 12:18 - SPARK (Red) Mouthpiece Play Test + First Impressions 13:42 - Trying Different Styles 15:11 - Meyer 6M Demonstration (Comparison) 15:55 - Final Thoughts + Initial Verdicts 17:48 - "Actually..."

You’d sound good on a hollowed out carrot 🥕. Fascinating to watch this video. 👍🏻

Let's do some long tones

I pretty much feel the same about every time I hear people compare syos to their personal mouthpieces, and that’s that their mouthpieces always have more complexity/depth, etc. and even a lot of the players you mentioned aren’t playing syos anymore, I like the concept but it just seems like they can’t match a good rubber or metal mouthpiece yet

Real talk though, it is so rad you played on such a not very impressive setup for so long and sound the way you do. Gear really doesn't matter, once you get stuff that works with what you want. Appreciate you g

New mouthpieces are always interesting, at first the physics of the mouthpiece will lend towards the intended sound, then the more you play it the sound in your head will become more prevalent, your brain will signal you to adjust your airflow, ombechure, tongue to get the sound you've always heard. We usually stick with the piece that helps getting our sound the easiest or comfortably. My experience with SYOS was that the material they use lacked that character that hard rubber has... at least when I tried them.. Great review though😊

Syos make fantastic mouthpieces. Have a couple myself. Wonderful hearing you play test them.

The tough part about trying new mouthpieces is the adjustment period on the new piece. You'll almost always sound better at home until you've put hours and hours into it. It's always a gamble when switching over. I think you sound great on both. As long as you feel comfortable playing on all of them, I don't see why you can't use them all. Different tools in the toolbox!

Very cool that your collaborating with JL. Two of my favorite saxophone people. I tried the syos and its incredibly responsive. In the end went back to a stock Meyer as it has a little bit more character. But that's just a personal opinion. Syos have a great concept.

JL Woodwinds! John is a great guy. I love his channel and the man can blow! Congrats on your cool horn!!

Wow, this is awesome, I have learned so much from this video because I never had any experience of testing mouthpieces. Those two plastic mouthpieces sounded so beautiful and powerful than the Meyer and I don't know why...it's really mysterious! Thanks, Patrick.

Great Syos reaction! I switched over to Syos about a year and a half ago. MAN, the main thing I like about these mouthpieces is that they are almost like a blank plank. Like, it really responds and reflects whatever I give it. Regardless of inflection or attack. I had no longer have to even think about the mouthpiece, and I can just deal with my thoughts, I am pretty much just limited by my imagination with these pieces. Once Steve Kortyka told me to embrace the plastic, that was all she wrote! 🏃🏽‍♂️

I feel the same way seeing this as I have when seeing other reviews of SYOS pieces. They seem to have really good response and generally solid tone quality, but they’re missing a lot of the depth that something like a Link or Meyer have. Like there’s a muddiness to the sound that SYOS pieces have to my ear. When you put the Meyer back on, the sound was so much clearer and more resonant with a lot more overtones. Part of me wonders if the reason SYOS pieces have been played by so many people is because they sound nicer from the perspective of the player. It’s certainly possible there’s some resonance shenanigans going on, but I don’t know…Of course the sound is generated largely by the player, but I certainly would rather you stayed with the Meyer (if it were my choice).

I think I prefer your sound on the Meyer the most, though that's prob because you're the most used to that one and know how to bring out your best sound on it. I've found for me that the differences between mouthpieces that aim for the same general sound profile are all in how it feels to me trying to get what I want out of it, and it takes me sitting with a mouthpiece for a bit to figure that out. If you're interested in a great mouthpiece that emulates a Meyer, Boston Sax Shop recently released an excellent mouthpiece that I think you'll enjoy trying. Thanks for the content as always!

That’s a really interesting difference. When I last played sax I never tried tooting the mouthpiece away from the body, so that took me by surprise! I definitely think your normal mouthpiece has the sweetest tone in these tests. Looking forward to the longer term review :)

Patrick, we weren’t told what SYOS model(s) these were. I’m very impressed with my Spark tenor. Considering one for alto.

Awesome video. You definitely motivate me to be a better musician. Keep up the good work!...I think the red mouthpiece is similar to your meyer but you sound more free on the meyer. You also been playing it for 14 years though lol. I do believe once you play more and get used to the red syos mouthpiece you may prefer it over the meyer.

It was so funny seeing you in our first lesson seeing you with the red mouthpiece lol. I've noticed that you sound like you on all of them from hearing you on the red in lessons but being used to you on the meyer from your videos so it really seems like it's what you prefer to play.

Great review! Imo the red mouth piece seems to fit your style especially if you’re going for a brighter sound👌. The Meyer seems to be somewhere in between the red and blue mouth pieces as it seems to leans more towards producing a darker tone like the blue moth piece but has some brightness similar to the red. Overall, I’d say I like the red mouth piece for you style of playing.

I play on the Spark for my alto after a long time playing on a Meyer 5M, and I like the response and sound I get.

In my opinion you sound best on the Meyer, but I also really like the Smoky (blue) SYOS.

Thanks Patrick!

My favorite thing about the Syos are the colors.

Sounds great man! I also play a Meyer 6 on alto. If you want to try something new with the soul of a Meyer, try a “GS New York” size 6.

You sound great on all three, however, that red one seems to have some new sounds to it. I think it, the red one, has a bit more edge to it. It would depend on the tune you are playing. The Meyer does have a "full" sound to it. Your technique is so fantastic that it almost doesn't matter!

You sounded best on the Smokey !!

Stick with the Meyer! After my Meyer of 27 years broke, I bought a Retro Revival NY Meyer and it blew me away.

I think the core sound of the Meyer was thicker than either of the Syos pieces. I’ve tried a few myself and have the same general impression. I’m also not a gear head I’ve played on one tenor sax mouthpiece the entire time I’ve had the current horn I have (Otto link 9) and I think that plays a huge role in my continuing sound development. I tried another piece a little while ago in order to try and get a mellower sound for my swing group. But ended up sticking with my current set up and just working on playing with a more mellow and broader tone.

Hi Pat, if you were playing more funky stuff continuously, the red one would be in my opinion the most logical option. But considering that you play in many different styles, the Meyer has a beautiful core sound and versatility.

In terms of stuff I want to see, I'd love to see you try out some synthetic reeds. I've actually been digging on the legere signature cut on my jazz setup (yes, not American) and have been looking into fiberreeds. Would be interested to see your thoughts.

I loved my SYOS at first, but I found it kept changing how it felt with temperature and it was reed picky. Been playing a v16 S+ for a few years now and I’m sticking to it. SYOS has lots of potential though; I think they just need to feel more stable.

For me your sound on your Meyer just seems “lighter” compared to the syos, like a cloud. The syos has a huskiness to it or earthiness

The Meyer. It's earned its place it saxophone musical history. You have to give respect.

Definitely give the red a chance, but.....stick with the Meyer, in my opinion. Maybe take a little more time to get acquainted with SYOS, but you sound at home with your Meyer. The red sound at the very end is killing!!

I’m Mr. Old School - I like the Meyer the best, even after the appendix with the Spark. It has a core…. I played Meyer for many many years, both as a lead player and in small groups, but I recently ran across a series of mouthpieces I think you should try. If you are looking, that is. That is the 10MFan mouthpieces. A little bit expensive compared to either Meyer or SYOS, but not over the top. I’m playing the Alto Madness piece, and it’s everything my Meyer wanted to be when it grew up. I really want to hear what you have to say after you try the Spark at a gig or two. For more current music, like video game covers or anthing with an edge, it might be nice. For bebop, the Meyer is it. Just my opinion of course, but hey, you asked :)

You sound great on anything! But for me the Meyer has a bit more complexity in the sound. A blind test might not show this though - we tend to hear what we expect!

Hi Patrick, first of all, congratulations on the sound, the timing and the language you use during the solos... I would like to buy the SYOY Blue and I would like to ask you exactly which model you use. Thanks.Good Music

Keep the Meyer bro. LOL. The red joint was almost there but........naw lol

havent even watched yet but heres to the algo rhythm!

that different style sounded a lot like Colman Hawkins on Body and soul, sounds amazing! just tapping into that sound and improvising in his style even though you play the alto is ridiculous to me.

Patrick, that blue one, just not doing it for me. The red one sounds great though. There's definitely more power "available" but it doesn't lead with this bright tone. It's more similar to your Meyer than the blue one was. I am lucky to have found a setup I can stick with, Ted Klum London tenor with Rigotti reeds. Pretty pricey piece, but its handmade and I think its worth the price.

Meyer all day long - and I play the SYOS Chad LB on Tenor.

That other blue thing you took off the mouthpiece is a no screw system ligature

It was interesting to hear something different, but the Meyer is best. Gear acquisition syndrome is a real thing, and for the most part, it seems you haven't been infected. Hopefully, it stays that way. There's plenty of expensive hand-finished pieces out there to try thats cost hundreds, but you'll always sound most like you with the old reliable Meyer.

It would be cool to hear you try the Meyer Bros New York that JJBabbitt released and Ted Klum’s Yardbird metal and hard rubber

Which exact reed/mouthpiece combination do you finally play at min 18:30? Sounds very rich!

Preferred the blue over both the red and your Meyers (spelling?) -- but cannot tell you why, Patrick.

honestly I totally get being attached to a mouthpiece. My lesson teacher gave me a Meyer and I fell in love with it. Sadly it broke :( but I got a Theo wanne ny bros 2 mouthpiece and it seriously is just a more refined Meyer and I love that mouthpiece so much

5:39 Big Meyer is always watching 👀

Curious to know the tip opening of those mouthpieces.

The Meyer will feel like home, for a long time. It'd be lovely to just drop by JLWoodwinds in person. If you're playing any of the Smoky, Steady or Spark models you're not shaping your own sound. That's if you go with the custom option. Those three models exist, so that customers can arrive on their website and have some rails to guide them. Otherwise many would be overwhelmed by possible choices. Chad LB, Nathan of Saxologic and Steve Kortyka don't play their SYOS signature mouthpieces any more. My experience with the custom part of SYOS is that if you live far away, like Australia, in my case the shipping times and costs make getting a custom SYOS piece a problem. They didn't get it right the first time. My Jody Jazz super jet and my Theo Wanne Durga are amazing. I chiefly play baritone sax.

Could you tell us the reed you put at the end on the Syos mouthpiece ? Great playing, thank you.

cool man, sounds great. That's saxophone is not build in the usa right? I mean it seems that they import the parts and put it together in the shop. Anyways, keep em commin'

Definitelly... Meyer... maybe because you need to try good time with Long tones in syos...

Hey man, I was wondering what reeds you’re playing on these?

I dont know what people are hearing tbh. I think there is an aversion to new technology in the saxophone world overall. That red SYOS sounded the best imo especially when you pushed it at one point.

Sounds like a gazoo!

Great concept but the plastic just doesn’t have the tonal depth of hard rubber or metal. I wish I could hear what they sound like if they were more filled in the print or if SYOS could use a different material. They sure do put more money into marketing than any other brand. Some R&D funds into materials instead of marketing would be cool!

I wish thus video came out earlier before I purchase a mouthpiece

I wrote my comment before you pulled the surprise ending. Balls to the walls.

SYOS mouthpieces lack depth of sound, which has always been their biggest downfall. Its really apparent when played side by side against the Meyer.

sparky fits you.....but i see why meyer is the main

The Meyer suit you most the other are missing something 🎷

Tekken 8 release stream... Gameplay + saxplay

Your MEYER sounds like in the spirit of Cannobal. The Ble is like a BIRD tribute. The RED one.... may be good for a live performance... my 20 Cents here.

Yo, what size is them? 6 or 7?

Your mouthpiece sounds better Patrick.

Meyer better. SYOS sounds like plastic still but you're very good. I prefer Spark over Smoky.

Wya Brandon Padillo™

Alright, Pat...I took some time to think about this one. I like the SYOS philosophy and I think people that play SYOS pieces generally sound good. However, you're playing the "Smoky" and the "Spark" - these are generic, entry level pieces. You left out the middle one, the "Steady" which might have suited you better than the other two. It would have been more interesting if you had designed your own Patrick Bartley custom piece, which is what the other pro players you've mentioned have done. At the moment, I think you sound better on the Meyer but of course, you could sound good on a Yamaha 4C so, you still sound good on all the pieces. So, I don't know, overall I'm not sold - I think the colorful pieces are fun but draw too much attention to themselves. So, in short, they can definitely sound good and I think it's cool that you can custom design your own but I find them distracting overall. Just food for thought, you could get a stock Meyer and send it to a pro refacer and literally get whatever you want for around the same price as a custom made SYOS. It wouldn't be plastic either - your Meyer has gone 14 years, still going strong. I cannot imagine a 3D printed SYOS going even half way that long. Sorry for the rambling, just trying to keep it real.

The SYOS sounds better,