FRANK CATALANO MOUTHPIECE for CONN F MEZZO SOPRANO SAXOPHONE - NEW J.J. BABBITT

Description

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*Today I am listing the latest installment of mouthpieces and other sax gear which I am selling on consignment for saxophonist Frank Catalano. For those of you who may not be familiar, Frank is a true heavy hitter in the jazz world and has been featured on multiple Grammy winning albums. He is also the quintessential gear hound, having amassed a collection of over 500 mouthpieces! He now endorses and plays Jody Jazz mouthpieces exclusively so he is purging some of his massive collection of mouthpieces he has acquired over many years, as well as other random gear. Be sure to check out my other items for more great items from this collection. There will be more to come later, so add me to your favorites list and check back later to see new additions.
T
his listing is for a "Frank Catalano" brand mouthpiece for key of "F" saxophones. There has only ever been two production model saxophones made in the Key of "F"...the rare F Mezzo soprano, and the even rarer Conn-O-Sax. Both instruments were manufactured by C.G. Conn ltd. in the waning days of the 1920's 'saxophone craze'.
If you happen to be lucky enough to own one of these rare horns (or both, as Frank does), you no doubt already know that they are virtually impossible to play in tune without a mouthpiece specifically designed for them. Unfortunately, many of these rare instruments have been separated from their original mouthpieces over the years, and no aftermarket options were made for them. Even if you do have the original mouthpiece, it will have a very small tip opening, making it difficult to play in a modern context.
As an avid player/collector of these rare horns, Frank sought to remedy this situation by commissioning the manufacture of a modern mouthpiece designed for them. He has had several (small) batches of these made over the years by J.J. Babbitt, with tweaks/improvements made with each successive batch. This is from the latest, and I'm told the last batch, as Babbitt has declined to make any more.
This mouthpiece is made specifically for "F" saxophones, with a chamber to match the bore of the instrument. It has deeply scooped inner side walls (like the originals), but a wider tip opening (.065"). It has a nicely sculpted baffle with a slight roll over. It is machined from solid rod rubber, and hand finished.
This mouthpiece is in 'like new' condition. It was play tested only, by Frank. There are absolutely no flaws, cosmetic or otherwise. It has been sanitized just to be safe.
This listing includes a cap and ligature to match the mouthpiece, both of which are also in 'like new' condition.
Please feel free to email me with any questions.
Thanks again for looking!
Note to international buyers:
Due to the current global pandemic, international shipments via USPS mail are experiencing significant delays. This is due to lack of available transportation (ie. mail is normally carried overseas as cargo on commercial passenger flights, however the flight schedules have been slashed). European buyers have experienced wait times of up to 2 months for shipments to arrive. If this potential wait presents a problem for you, please refrain from purchasing at this time. I sincerely apologize for this, unfortunately unavoidable, inconvenience.