Testimonials

Eighth Note Publications

As a trumpet player playing cornet, I found the switch from a Stork 3C (trumpet mouthpiece) to a Denis Wick an uncomfortable one at best. Although the Denis Wick gave me a true cornet sound, it felt so foreign that endurance, consistency and range all suffered at the expense of achieving a good cornet sound. Ted Sparks introduced me to his then new line of cornet mouthpieces and I was truly excited. The Sparx 3 felt so much better and maintained the sound and even playing through all registers I was after but endurance for me was still an issue. Also, as Principal Cornet of the Whitby Brass Band, I am called upon to play some jazz solos and even play some “lead” playing in the section. I found that difficult on the Sparx 3. When Ted told me about the “soloist” line, I knew it was the balance I needed. It produces a great “leathery” cornet sound but I can also step it up a notch and get some of that brilliance that is often required of modern brass band works. Its sound is smooth and even enough to play Hailstorm but bright enough to play high D’s and Eb’s in jazz numbers. Thanks Ted, you make all trumpeters playing cornet sound as they should! 4 of the 6 front row Cornets in the WBB all play your mouthpieces.

David Marlatt

Former Soprano Cornet, Canadian Staff Band

This mouthpiece allows me to have a more open and solid sound in all registers!

Ron Heintzman

Former Deputy Bandmaster & Solo Cornet Player with the Canadian Staff Band

Searching for the right mouthpiece can be a frustrating, tedious, time consuming task. This is usually the case until you try the new Sparx mouthpiece.

In my experience as a cornet player, I prefer not to switch mouthpieces. I have been using a very old mouthpiece that my favourite cornet player and teacher, Derek Smith gave me when I was a young boy. After 50 years, the Besson was showing wear, the shank was rotting and thought I had better buy a new one. The Wick line was OK but not what I was searching for. I tried the Sparx mouthpiece and immediately discovered a very comfortable mouthpiece. I am not a mouthpiece technician but there is something in the design that enhances endurance, tone and presence of sound. It would seem to me that Ted Sparks and Gary Radtke have discovered the secret in the making of an excellent brass band cornet mouthpiece. I would highly recommend this mouthpiece to anyone.

Art Dean

Music Director, Lydian Wind Ensemble

Dear Ted: This past concert season, the cornet section of the Lydian Wind Ensemble improved markedly in blend, intonation, and warmth of tone. The cornet players found that their control throughout the range of the instrument improved, as well as their endurance.

What made the difference? These veteran musicians tried the Sparx mouthpiece, and they are staying with it!

Calvin Friedrich

Trumpet/Cornet soloist, Instructor, McMaster and Brock University

Having tried a number of cornet mouthpieces, I found the Sparx to be the best for intonation, response and tone. All my students agreed that in a side by side comparison the Sparx sounded better than all the other mouthpieces that I had been using. Thanks Ted!

Tim White

Principal Cornet, Ellington Colliery Band

Ted, I recently bought a Sparx no.3 cornet mouthpiece from you. After using it for a week I can honestly say that it is the best mouthpiece I have ever played on. I have been playing cornet now for 32 years, 30 of them as principal cornet in a successful contesting band and using your mouthpiece has re-kindled my enthusiasm for playing and practising. The comfort and control that the Sparx mouthpiece gives is significantly better than any other mouthpiece I have tried. I believe that other mouthpieces get the rim right but the cup wrong, another can get the cup right but the throat wrong etc., what makes the Sparx mouthpiece so good is that everything; the rim, cup, throat and backbore, matches. Thanks for a superb product.

John Colvine

Trumpet soloist and Bandmaster of the “German Staff Band”

Ted Sparks, a former solo cornet and soprano player of the Canadian Staff Band of the Salvation Army, has recently designed a 1st. class cornet mouthpiece.

I chose his # 3 for my brass band cornet playing. The mouthpiece has a comfortable rim that is well balanced with the cup and backbore. The tone is somewhat more focused than other mouthpieces and blends well with other types of mouthpieces used in the ensemble.

Heinrich Schmidt

Former Principal cornet, Canadian Staff Band

While I have experimented over the years with a number of cornet mouthpieces, I have always returned to the Denis Wick 4B as the one that worked the best for me. That was until I played the Sparx 4. It provides the full sound I enjoyed with the Wick 4B and has solved a few minor intonation challenges I was having with the Wick on the staff E, A as well as the A above the staff. The Sparx is great in band and solo situations.

Doug Chaulk

Soprano Cornet, Weston Silver Band
Principal Trumpet, Symphony Hamilton & McMaster University Chamber Orchestra

After 20 years of looking for the elusive ‘soprano cornet’ mouthpiece I have found the perfect solution in the Sparx4C. The sound quality is perfect for blending with Bb cornets while allowing the brilliance required from soprano. The intonation removes the struggles I have had with compromise equipment derived from the piccolo trumpet. Particularly noteworthy is the tone quality, which does not change with register and the stability at all dynamic levels. High register pianissimos are routine rather than unnerving. Ted’s experience on soprano cornet is evident in this design that for me is the end of a long road.

For Bb I have found the Sparx 2 to perfectly complement my trumpet equipment, making the switches between trumpet and cornet in orchestra seamless. Recently on a performance of Lt Kije; the change from offstage Bb cornet to C trumpet was no problem. Even though I have a matching cornet mouthpiece by the same manufacturer to my trumpet equipment, I have found the Sparx on cornet an easier transition. I attribute this to the design that is perfected for cornet and not adapted from a trumpet Mouthpiece. I look forward to trying the Soloist version.

Also noteworthy and of great value is Ted’s personalized service and advice.

Graham Young

Principal Cornet – Weston Silver Band

Hey Ted. The mouthpiece is awesome. I have nothing but good things to say about it.

I’ve tried every kind of mouthpiece and the Sparx mouthpiece is by far the best. The Sparx mouthpiece produces a rich, brilliant sound while maintaining flexibility and comfort. Great job Ted!

Ryan Baker