Testimonials

Principal trumpet of the Radio Symphony Orchestra of Frankfurt
www.juergenellensohn.com

I´ve been searching a long time for a cornet mouthpiece with a warm sound, good intonation and good articulation. I always changed between mouthpieces with deeper cup and mouthpieces which gave me a good articulation. A friend of mine showed me the Sparx 2B soloist. This is the mouthpiece I’ve been looking for! Now I´ve got one mouthpiece for everything!

Jürgen Ellensohn

Assistant Principal Trumpet Frankfurt/Main Opera Orchestra, Germany

I was looking so long for the perfect cornet mouthpiece – now I found it! The SPARX Soloist 2 offers the perfect balance between a brilliant sound and a dark cornet character. Since I opened the parcel from Ted Sparks, I never played another mouthpiece. I played several solistic pieces on it as well as Italian and french operas – some weeks ago even Mahlers famous “posthorn solo” in his 3rd symphony on a C-cornet. I recommend this mouthpiece!

Markus Bebek

Professor of Music Literature, Asbury College Music Department Music Director, Lexington Brass Band

Several of my cornets in Lexington Brass Band are using your Sparx mouthpieces, and with great success!

Dr. Ron Holz

“Legendary Brass Teacher”

Don’s career has encompassed many Avenues in the music world. From his teen age days in the Toronto Symphony, plus his many years as a studio player, he was also Musical Director playing name acts at a night club. During this time, he developed a multitude of first class players in his teaching studio. His teaching also included being Head of the Brass Department and Music Program at a College for many years. Don was recently described in the latest issue of the “International Musician”, as a “Legendary Brass Teacher”.

Having heard much about the Sparx mouthpiece, I eagerly awaited receiving my order. I had been playing a standard size mouthpiece but was not entirely satisfied with the sound.

My first impression and sensation with the Sparx, was of freedom and flow of air. The bowl was larger than the mouthpiece I had been using, which enhanced tonguing and also gave me more of the quality of sound I was looking for.

Over the days that followed, many other areas fell into place. One area that really surprised me, was the improvement in intonation. I even had to push my tuning slide back in.

This is a first class mouthpiece and is well deserved of its reputation.

Don Johnson

Principal Trumpet – Kingston Symphony Orchestra

After a very long search for the right cornet mouthpiece, the gold-plated Sparx 2B was the perfect fit! Lovely, flexible sound that can add sizzle with ease. Thanks, Ted!

Jonathan Elliotson

Vice-President/Soprano Cornet
The Brass Band of Central Florida

I’d heard about Sparx Mouthpieces for years, at all the competitions we went to, as well as some of the guys in the band. Never being much of an ‘equipment guy’, I have stuck with the same couple of mouthpieces for the last 25-30 plus years.

On a whim, I tried one of Ted’s mouthpieces that one of our front row guys had after rehearsal one night. Although it wasn’t a Sop. piece, I was amazed at how balanced and clear the sound was.

With a little apprehension and trepidation, I called Sparx Music. Not only did I get hold of somebody right away, I got Ted himself. He remembered me and the BBCF. He knew how varied and diverse the Sop. book was in our group, and suggested I try the 4E. I said “I’ll start there and see what happens”. He said, “I guarantee that’s where you’ll end too, every Sop. player using the 4E loves it”.

Man was he right! I can’t remember a more balanced, easy-blowing mouthpiece. It was comfortable at once, and there was very little ‘getting used to’ time. I think half a rehearsal. The glassy, brittle quality I would sometimes get when fatigued dissapeared completely. It’s learning curve is astonishingly short and it absolutely sparkles. It’s also forgiving on the many lead trumpet charts we do, because it’s not a peashooter. You got a winner here Ted. I’m an official convert!

Donald P. McAfee

Associate Principal Trumpet, Toronto Symphony Orchestra

I find the Sparx 2B Soloist to be the perfect cornet mouthpiece. It spans the gap between the British “V” cups and the North American “C” cups. It has relieved the “stuffy” feel of my cornet. It produces crisp attacks and a secure high register while still producing a dark , rich cornet sound. I love it! I wish I would have had a Sparx mouthpiece twenty years ago. Thanks Ted for a truly great mouthpiece!

Barton Woomert

2nd Trumpet, Houston Symphony

I was about ready to give up on my new cornet when I tried the Sparx soloist mouthpiece and changed my mind. It made the horn come to life and helped me to find the center of every note. It is now a joy for me to switch from trumpet to cornet and back. It also gives me the versatility to play in the orchestra on 2nd cornet and perform solos with my brass quintet! Thanks Ted!

Anthony Prisk

Principal Trumpet, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra

The Sparx 2B cornet mouthpiece bridges the gap between large V cups that sound good and C cups that feel good. I finally have a well balanced cornet mouthpiece that I can use in the orchestra. Thank you Ted!

David Krauss

Cornet, Egham Band of UK

Ted, I have been playing your 3DV with my Smith Watkins cornet for a week now including a couple of rehearsals with my band. Thank you so much for your advice. The 3DV matches my Smith Watkins cornet perfectly.

From the moment I played it I was taken aback by the rich sound and security it gives me through out the range (pitch and dynamics). My Dennis Wick 4, which I have played for years, feels paper thin in comparison and the difference is clear to the band.

I am really looking forward to our first performance in 2 weeks time. I will have no hesitation to recommend your mouthpieces to my fellow players. Thank you again!

David Wicks