best tenor sax mouthpiece for altissimo AMBIKA Tenor MouthpieceThe AMBIKA IV Tenor Mouthpiece is our darkest mouthpiece. It has a deep, hauntingly gorgeous tone! The AMBIKA IV has a full bodied sound reminiscent of the vintage 1940's mouthpieces, but with much improved projection, ease of play, and dynamics. Built to outplay Theo's very best Vintage New York Tone Master and Master Link Otto Link A deep and haunting sound best left to poetry. Hauntingly dark! Revolutionary in improving upon the true vintage sound!

The AMBIKA IV Tenor Mouthpiece is our darkest mouthpiece. It has a deep, hauntingly gorgeous tone!

The AMBIKA IV has a full bodied sound reminiscent of the vintage 1940's mouthpieces, but with much improved projection, ease of play, and dynamics.  

• Built to outplay Theo's very best Vintage New York Tone Master and Master Link Otto Link
• A deep and haunting sound best left to poetry. Hauntingly dark!
• Revolutionary in improving upon the true vintage sound!
• Extra Large True Large Chamber, Straight baffle, and rounded inner side walls.
• Crafted to the highest accuracy in the history of saxophone mouthpieces.
• Designed by Theo Wanne, the foremost expert on the design and manufacturing of vintage and new mouthpieces.

The AMBIKA IV maintains the fundamental beauty of the AMBIKA III, but with a richer, fuller body to the sound. During research and development stages 100% of the endorsers who were using the AMBIKA III have switched to the IV, which is a great testament. As our darkest model we are pleased to make it even more 'lovely & beautiful' sounding! 

We made changes to the 'standard' large-chamber, which has evolved into our Large-Stadium-Chamber™. This chamber design gets its name from its shape, which is reminiscent of a Football Stadium. This allows an even bigger bottom end, and a fuller sound at the same time.

The indented lines you see on the baffle, are our patented Shark Gill Baffle™.  Being patented means you will only find this innovative feature on our mouthpieces. It works on the physics principle of 'boundary layer effect', similar to the dimples on a golf ball. In a mouthpiece, the airstream is pulled closer to the floor and side walls. This allows one to 'fill' the mouthpiece more with air, resulting in increased dynamics.

The Metal AMBIKA is plated with 24K gold. The Hard Rubber AMBIKA uses real vintage style hard rubber just like the vintage mouthpieces of the 1940s-50s, and its new thin body allows the premium hard rubber to fully resonate, giving quite a fantastic sound.  Now you can hear the full magic in this type of hard rubber.  If you like the vintage sound, you will love the AMBIKA.

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DESIGN & INNOVATION

Design & Innovation Features of the AMBIKA IV Tenor Mouthpiece

1. Shark-Gill Baffle™:  The arced lines you see on the baffle of the mouthpiece is the shark-gill-baffle™ which is patented by Theo Wanne, so you will only find this innovative feature on our mouthpieces, or those we license it to. The shark-gills™ work on the physics principle of ‘boundary layer effect’, similar to the effect of dimples on a golf ball, which allow the golf ball to travel further through the air. The golf ball dimples suck air behind the golf ball, so the golf ball does not ‘drag’ an air pocket along with it while it travels.   In a similar way, the shark-gills™ disturb the airflow, removing air pockets in the mouthpiece/neck/saxophone. The airstream can then flow closer to the inner walls of the mouthpiece and instrument. The result is much greater dynamics, from soft-to-loud, and an overall ‘fuller sound’.

2. Large-Stadium-Chamber™:  The open area, under the reed, inside the mouthpiece is the chamber. Theo’s large-stadium-chamber gets its name from its shape, which is reminiscent of a Football Stadium. The large size gives tremendous warm and big sound, but the unique stadium shape fills out the sound too, making it dense and lush. The result is a BEAUTIFUL sound!

3. Wave-Baffle™: The baffle is the interior-front of the mouthpiece that the airstream first hits. The baffle is very important, as it is the first place the airstream hits. To accurately form this area, we precision machine it. It is not possible to reproduce this extremely complex AMBIKA IV baffle shape by hand, it is just too complex. The Wave-Baffle™ is similar to a traditional roll-over baffle, however it is shaped in the form of a sine-wave. The sine-wave shape is a combination of convex and concave shapes formed in a highly specific pattern. This is why it is not possible to reproduce by hand. You will hear both fullness and sparkle simultaneously in the sound, due to this specially shaped baffle.

4. Elliptical Window:  The window, the open area under the reed, is wide, and uses Theo's proprietary elliptical shape. This allows more air to enter into the small chamber, giving fullness to the focused sound.

5. Theo’s proprietary “bullet” chamber: The term ‘bullet chamber’ has been used for years in describing Berg Larsen mouthpieces. It is the transition of the back of the baffle into the chamber. We used a unique ‘elongated-oval’ shape for the BRAHMA, to enhance the already focused, yet full, sound.   While it looks simple, the shape is actually highly sculpted.

VIDEO & AUDIO

REVIEWS & TESTIMONIALS

“The AMBIKA was a total experience.  I was expecting it to be dull with little projection. To the contrary, it played with a tone a la the Texas Tenors of old. It had tremendous range and flexibility.” – Paul Harr Paul Haar (JazzTimes Magazine September 2009 Review)

“The AMBIKA is reminiscent of the old Tone Master NY Otto Links used by old jazz legends like Ben Webster and Coleman Hawkins.  In the past I had a Tone Master NY Link and I think the the AMBIKA’s tone is very similar.  The sound is big and spread but at the same time you have the high overtones that make the sound more modern and versatile.  The AMBIKA plays very even through the whole range.  An aspect that I love of the mouthpiece is that the high range never looses volume and remains big and fat when you want to push and play loud.” – Fabrizio D’Alisera (Video Review)

“The AMBIKA is WAY beyond the vintage mouthpieces.  I was playing a vintage link for 20 years, but no more!” – Pat Rizzo (WAR, Sly and the Family Stone, Frank Sinatra)

“The AMBIKA 6* metal mouthpiece is great  to play on in classic  jazz ,hard bop,modern jazz  and also electro acoustic music. It is easy to control and has fantastic dynamics when you push it. All the overtones are there. What a great classic jazz mouthpiece with vintage sound.  I can play exactly what I hear inside of me with it!” – Doug Lawrence (Count Bassie, Tony Bennett)

“You haven’t scored a home run with the New AMBIKA, you’ve hit a grand slam! I am totally blown away. It’s time I start selling off my quite large collection of mouthpieces.” -Doug Moffet (Larry Carlton, Tony Bennett, Garth Brooks, Take Six, Lou Rawls, Faith Hill, Garth Brooks)

“The AMBIKA is the only mouthpiece I’ll now use! I really dig how the AMBIKA makes my tenor sound. It is open in the upper register but retains a warm sound. And the sound remains warm throughout the horn. Articulation is aided as well as the Ambika has a big centered sound. Altissimo notes are open a very easy to achieve and manipulate. Pitch is centered, especially in the palm keys, which can be problematic with some mouthpieces. I really like how versatile the Ambika piece is. I can approximate an ol’ school Coleman Hawkins/ Sam Butera sound AND a modern Michael Brecker/ Lenny Pickett sound by just adjusting my embouchure.  The last thing you want to be thinking about on stage is why you can’t achieve the note or sound you desire because you are fighting with your mouthpiece.  Theo’s mouthpieces let me create without any distractions.” – Karl Hunter (Big Bad Voodoo Daddy)

“Hey Theo, you’re blowing my mind here, Brotha! The AMBIKA my new go-to piece, no question. Responsive, expressive, phat and versatile. Surprisingly (or not!), I can get more bite out of it, even though it’s ostensibly your darkest piece. Beautiful work, Theo!” – Robert Martin (Frank Zappa for 20 years)

“Wow…that´s it!! No kidding: This mouthpiece is just fantastic: Very colorful, dark and fat even when it´s getting played soft, big, big low tones, the highs don’t get thin, absolutely perfect! The playability is great, the sound is really haunting, you didn’t promise too much!” – Joerg Kaufmann

“The Ambika tenor allowed me to tap into an extra level of expression that I didn’t even know that I possessed.” – Alex Milstead

“The AMBIKA takes me to heaven every time I play the saxophone. I just can’t take this mouthpiece out of my mouth anymore! Thanx so much for your talent, vision and skills!” -Frank

“My first reaction was “Why … this is haunting!” It truly has a distinct deepness that is lovely. Great lows that just flow out. Clear altissimo. Great intonation. Reed friendly.  I can ‘feel’ the mouthpiece which allows me to control my tone and projection more. So … looks like I have a keeper! Is it worth the $$$??? I sure could have saved a lot more than I have spent on the AMBIKA if I had found it sooner!” -William

“The AMBIKA produces the warmest, fullest sound I have gotten with any mouthpiece. Yes, even haunting. Intonation is there, it’s easy to play and I don’t have to struggle with the horn. I was able to lay back and just focus on what I was trying to do. The proof is in the sound.” -Joe

“Theo Wanne mouthpieces truly are THE new standard in tone production for the saxophone. I consider Theo a true genius at what he does, in that he has found a parallel approach at achieving a vintage sound–not by simply copying great mouthpieces, but rather studying the concepts of sound production and finding his own unique approach to producing a superior sound. Theo, thank you for your artistry and commitment to furthering our art, because we can’t do what we do otherwise. I just have to say what an honor it is to be able to be involved in the promotion of Theo Wanne mouthpieces.” -Mark Hynes

“I just played 10 hours and I still can’t believe the Ambika. I feel like I am wrapped in a warm cocoon playing with my daughters in mind. It is my love for them which plays!!! -Oliver R.

“The AMBIKA has a beautiful Fat, Dark tone. Quite like Grossmans tone of the last 15 years. If you are looking for Lush, but still with power, then this is what you are after…..reminds me of the best BD Hollywood that I’ve ever played!!” -Simon

“I did initially have some trepidation about the price, but I am hugely pleased that I got it. It has a full rich dark tone (similar to the Otto Link NY) and is easy blowing. The lowest notes are particularly easy with this beautifully crafted mouthpiece.” -Tony K

“I still can’t say too many good things about your AMBIKA mouthpiece. It has made playing my tenor such a joy. After receiving the AMBIKA my tenor is the only horn I have played. I started playing the tenor back in 1960 so you can figure out that I’m no youngster. I retired and became serious about playing again in 2007. I think every saxophone player has a sound in their head that they work to produce. I found my sound when I played your AMBIKA mouthpiece. Not only do I get the sound the ease at which I am able to produce each note amazes me. I have never played a finer mouthpiece”.

“I’m writing just to say thanks for creating a Fantastic mouthpiece as the AMBIKA.  I am blown away by how easy the mouthpiece plays in all the registers of my sax.  And the intonation is great!  Theo, Thanks for making my life as a sax player better!” – Carlos Serrano

“The AMBIKA’s dark sound blew my mind and changed my whole idea of what a dark sound is!” – Tatsuya Sato

“The AMBIKA has changed my life!! Thanx guys!” – Omar Kabir

“During last 20 years I have tried a lot of saxophone mouthpieces such as the Slant Signature Otto Link , Florida Otto Link and modern handmade mouthpieces,  but the best is the AMBIKA  by Theo Wanne™. Theo Wanne™ mouthpieces sound and even look amazing!  Thank you for your passion and fantastic work! It is a challenge to find such incredible products in the musical world of saxophone!” – Deniss Pashkevics

“Wow!  I’ve been playing the AMBIKA and I love it more every day. Folks in my band the Rusty Prose all love the sound. The AMBIKA is mellow, like Lester Young with a beautiful tone, yet it is capable of rocking out with the Rolling Stones, Talking Heads, and Nirvana with the best of ‘em. Then when we do a beautiful John Lennon ballad, it just sings. Gosh I love it!!!!!    I have my Masters degree on Clarinet from the UW and know a little bit about tone!!!!!”  – Kathryn Pjetursdottir

“The AMBIKA mouthpiece is one of the best mouthpieces in my arsenal. I use it for blues, rock and roll, and ballads. It is mellow and not too loud for practicing in the house. I like the ligature that comes with the mouthpiece. Theo Wanne makes great mouthpieces.” – William C.

The AMABIKA’s tone is stunning and everything I imagined/hoped it would be for me since hearing Jan Garbarek’s demo audio playing the first version.” – Peter Block

“The AMBIKA is excellent. It seems as if it has a soul of its own and doesn’t allow for wastage. The qualities it brings to the sound are great! I send you my sincere compliments, you are a true artist.” – Silvio Binello

“This mouthpiece is awesome! I am getting more tonal colors each time I play on the AMBIKA. My true tenor voice is coming through!”-Bob Hackett

“I tried AMBIKA on my series 3 using the gold plate and I must say that this mouthpiece is the one for this horn. I used two different reeds to see how ambika would sound; Java red first and then hemk second both worked perfect. This mouthpiece stayed dark, thick sounding and projects better than any mouthpiece similar, also your mouthpiece is the only one that can do this for a selmer series 3 because the horn is bright. I already have the Gia 7* metal and for me that mouthpiece is good on the Yanagisawa. I feel that for me ambika is the best mp for my series 3 to obtain a warm, dark, mellow tone that is vintage where no other hr mp on the market can do this for that horn being it is bright by nature.”– Jared Couvillion

“After I recently decided to change my tenor sax mouthpiece from an Otto Link to a Theo Wanne AMBIKA, at my first gig playing with it, I experienced to an even greater degree that feeling, according to the movie “Chariots of Fire,” that 1924 Olympian and missionary Eric Liddell said he felt when he ran: God’s pleasure!!” – Malcolm Hunter

“With AMBIKA I’m continually discovering new things and I really believe I have found the right mouthpiece for me.” – Silvio Binello

“Man, is this thing fun to play!! Build quality is amazing and tone is exceptional.” – Chad D

“After I recently decided to change my tenor sax mouthpiece from an Otto Link to a Theo Wanne Ambika, at my first gig playing with it, I experienced to an even greater degree that feeling, according to the movie “Chariots of Fire,” that 1924 Olympian and missionary Eric Liddell said he felt when he ran: God’s pleasure!!” – Malcolm Hunter

“I want to let you know how much I love the Ambika 3. It destroyed my expectations. I have never played a mouthpiece with so much color and dynamic control. It is an incredible successor to the Ambika 2. I had such a hard time putting down my horn last night.” – Jacob Deaven

“The AMBIKA 3 Tenor Mouthpiece arrived yesterday from Intrada Music in Poland (great guys), I spent an hour to get familiar with it and played a small performance yesterday evening. The best tenor mouthpiece I’ve ever played, really! What an ease to play, what a resonance and projection, fantastic balanced over the whole range. I’m getting more and more addicted to Theo’s products. I think the world definitely needs more of Theo’s mouthpieces.” – Ulrich Drechsler

“I am really enjoying playing my Ambika 3. It’s very powerful, wonderful dark sound and tremendously versatile. Easy to play, tunes better than any other mouthpiece I’ve played, tremendous dynamic range offering lots of subtlety. Even after more than 50 years of playing the saxophone, it has opened new possibilities for me. Thank you Theo!” – Gregory Alper

“I just have received my AMBIKA 3. It is my first mouthpiece made by You. I have ordered it without trying it earlier, and decided to trust You. I almost feel obligated to tell You – as an artist to an artist – You have made something absolutely magic and beautiful! It is difficult to describe, but when I play AMBIKA, I just want to play in the most beautiful way I am able to, because it just deserves it! AMBIKA just asks pleasantly to be played the best! I was asking myself many times “what will be that first impression”? So, now I know – I just sit down and say to myself “oh my God!… it is pure beauty!” I have never felt something like this with any other of the MANY mouthpieces I have had. The sound is so haunting and sub-tones are so easy and war. It is so alive in high register – and full of control in the entire scale and dynamic. I just can’t imagine what I will discover after one month, let alone in years to come with the AMBIKA. Because I know for sure – this is my one and only mouthpiece now! Thank You Theo and your crew for such a work of art!” – Tom Welna (Poland)

“I bought the Ambika 3 for tenor and it’s by far the best mouthpiece I have. It’s very free blowing and dark, it can definitely get the job done when performing with a group. It has boosted my love for playing my saxophone. I’ll definitely will get a Theo Wanne for my alto too.” – Derrick Bent

“I received the Ambika 3 mouthpiece today, and thought I’d leave you some feedback. Simply put, this is the best mouthpiece I’ve ever played in my life. Totally effortless playability, and exactly the tone I’ve searched for everywhere and found nowhere. I really can’t praise this mouthpiece enough, it feels almost like it was tailored to every one of my preferences, some of which I didn’t even know I had!” – Neil Wheeler

“I’ve purchased this metal Ambika for my Tenor Keilwerth SX90R Shadow and have used it for the last few days. Before that I was using a hard rubber Otto Link “Tone Edge” 7* which I really like. However, this Theo Wanne mouthpiece sounds much better to my ears and is definitely easier to play. It has really been pure joy for me to play with it!” – Ilan Aisic

WHAT'S INCLUDED

CASE: Beautiful Leatherette Case! 

MATERIAL: Reticulated 24K Gold plated Brass or the finest vintage style hard rubber on the planet!

LIGATURE: The metal AMBIKA includes our integrated two-point contact 24K Gold Plated Liberty Ligature and Alive Gold pressure plate. The Enlightened Ligature is included with the Hard Rubber AMBIKA. To truly individualize your sound, try our Premium Pressure Plates, which fit all of our mouthpieces and ligatures! 

CAP: Reed Replacer Cap. The most secure cap in the world.

BITEPAD: Our user replaceable bite pads, allow you to peel and stick on new bite pads.