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The GAIA 4 alto is fully re-designed! It still has the classic alto sound, but much more full and alive sounding!
The result of the GAIA 4’s new design is an expressiveness, and creativity-of-play, never before experienced in a traditional sounding alto mouthpiece! Once you spend some time on it, you will find a dynamic range and flexibility not found in any other alto mouthpiece.
Large chambers have been widely explored in the history of tenor mouthpieces, but very little has been done with alto mouthpieces. The GAIA 4 Alto mouthpiece opens up a whole new world for the alto saxophone. Not only is the DESIGN revolutionary, but it uses our state of the art manufacturing and premium materials so that design is made right! The GAIA 4 has evolved from the GAIA 1 with significantly more core and body to the sound.
The GAIA alto is available in premium hard rubber and in 24K gold plated brass. At first we were hesitant to make this mouthpiece in brass, however, due to popular demand we made a few and the brass version was a huge hit! Hear Ian Hendrickson-Smith with the tonight show band and Ed Sheeran playing on the metal version HERE!
SOUND
Outplays history’s best traditional alto mouthpieces.
Full, rich and fat traditional sound with a hint of edge.
DESIGN
Includes our newly designed Large-Stadium-Chamber! Rounded inner side walls all the way to the tip. Perfectly sculpted roll-over baffle.
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.
DESIGN & INNOVATION
It includes and updated version of our proprietary Shark-Gill Baffle™, and our newly designed Large-Stadium Chamber™, which is a technologically advanced version of a traditional large chamber.
Shark-Gill Baffle™: The arced lines you see on the baffle of the mouthpiece is the shark-gill-baffle™, which is patented by Theo Wanneso you will only find this innovative feature on our mouthpieces, or those we license it to. And yes, the shark-gills-baffle™ gets its name because it looks like the gills of a shark! The shark-gill-baffle™ works on the physics principle of ‘turbulent flow’, 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-gill Baffle™ disturbs 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’.
REVIEWS & TESTIMONIALS
“I never thought I’d find anything better than my vintage metal Florida link but Theo has done it again and created a masterpiece that surpasses all my expectations. The metal Alto Gaia 3 plays like an old soul but with modern sensibilities. The intonation is laser beam accurate, the response is incredibly fast and the range of sounds this mouthpiece can create is nothing short of astounding. From a full, fat tone to the power and edge needed to cut through a band–the Gaia 3 metal can do anything I ask of it. It’s a complicated piece too–I find something new about it every time we meet. It has that indescribable magic or mojo… whatever you want to call it. Soul. Do yourself a favor and run, don’t walk to try one of these. The days of straining and fighting my set up are over. Thanks, Theo!!!” – Ian Hendrickson Smith (The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, The Roots, Amy Winehouse)
“The GAIA is everything I have looked for in a piece. I have played on an early Babbitt Link for 30 years and the GAIA responds with less effort, the tone is more refined and clean, it has more punch and edge, and the intonation is more locked in and accurate than my Link. When I really lean on this piece, it really does bark! The altissimo, wow, much less effort! The notes up there really pop out with minimal effort. Theo’s attention to detail is phenomenal! Everything is absolutely perfect and symmetrical. All the machining on the inside is flawless. I am stoked! For me, it’s well worth the money and I am a [poor] full time musician, not a doctor or lawyer.” -Alastair Ingram (Alastair’s Sax Lessons)
“The GAIA Alto is the atomic %^&* Meyer.” – Nelson Rangell (14 Internationally Acclaimed Albums)
“You haven’t scored a homerun with the GAIA, you’ve hit a grand slam! I am totally blown away by them. The GAIA is seriously kick! It’s time I start selling off my quit large collection of mouthpieces.” -Doug Moffet (Larry Carlton, Tony Bennett, Garth Brooks, Take Six, Lou Rawls, Faith Hill, Garth Brooks)
“The GAIA is the answer to a saxophonist’s dream! The only mouthpiece I’ve played in seven decades with EVERYTHING! I’ve been playing the saxophone for almost seven decades now … have tried and performed on a multitude of all different types of mouthpieces but have never come upon such a mouthpiece that has everything in the “SOUND”, until I played Theo’s hard rubber GAIA alto mouthpiece. What a wonderful innovator he is! His mouthpieces provide better intonation, total evenness in one’s “SOUND” that covers the entire range of the instrument including the altissimo range. l also must include the fact that Theo’s mouthpieces include a palate that also provides the answer to a saxophonist’s dream by being able to use an unlimited amount of nuances when necessary. For example, I think that Johnny Hodges would have loved to be able to play on one of Theo’s mouthpieces! As far as mouthpieces are concerned for me, Theo’s are definitely “a home run with the bases loaded”! “THANK YOU” again and again, for all of the wonderful things that you’re doing for us and the MUSIC, in making our tasks as players so much easier. And, also for providing that extra enjoyment with our equipment as you continue to assist us in making the MUSIC … and making it “SOUND” better!! Although I play several woodwind instruments, I’ve played the alto saxophone for seventy two years. Over those many years, I’ve experienced many changes in the saxophone, especially the mouthpiece and it’s function, some good, and some not so good. This now brings us to today and the wonderful work and craftsmanship of Theo Wanne and his dedication to making the world a better place with his relentless creativity. Since I’ve had the opportunity and pleasure of playing Theo’s GAIA alto hard rubber alto mouthpiece, my whole universe of SOUNDS … be it Classical, Jazz, Pop or Rock MUSIC has been greatly enhanced. Over my sixty years of performing in either recording studios, or performing live concerts, I can finally do it all with one mouthpiece instead of carrying several pieces around with me to satisfy the demands of so many different styles and types of playing. Theo’s mouthpiece enables me to be that occasional chameleon when having to deliver the correct character musically on any given project. The GAIA alto generously gives me my voice, enabling me to forget about any equipment struggles, and just think about … and go for the MUSIC, in the moment. In addition Theo’s mouthpiece is reed friendly and enables me to produce full quality of SOUND whether I’m playing pianissimo or fortissimo and from the low Bb with evenness extending into the altissimo range of the instrument. Without any question, it’s a ‘sonic miracle’!” – George Young (John Lennon, Rolling Stones, Dizzy Gillespie, Frank Sinatra, Madonna)
“The sound of the GAIA is everything I ever dreamed of. The playability is perfect! It reminds me on one of the really good Florida Links, which have this “Dexter-thing”? A lot of core, fat, and dark sounding. When I push it, I can play funky too; a very versatile piece. The GAIA projects very good, the sound-quality is great in all registers and with all dynamics. This is the thing!!! The GAIA is my personal choice, and will be what I play and record on from now on.” -Joerg Kaufmann Review
“The GAIA pieces are awesome and working out beautifully. My long search for the perfect mouthpieces has ended. I can’t thank you enough for offering such great mouthpieces. You have truly inspired me to play as never before. I am playing Theo Wanne™ mouthpieces on all 3 of my saxophones. My wife told me to say “thank you from her also.” She is so glad that I am spending time playing and not looking for mouthpieces anymore.” – Anthony Rhyne
“The Gaia alto caused a crisis for me. It opened up so much more room for expression than I knew my horn was capable of. Every horn I have has a Wanne mouthpiece. I particularly think the Gaias are masterpieces. I can’t think of one, I certainly have not played one better…ever.” – Larry P. Rauson Jr
“Today I play on all my horns on Gaia Mouthpieces, thank you all for making this happen. It is a great help for my performance not to struggle with the mouthpiece! Excellent work! It’s like converting my feelings into sound. Thank you, Theo!” – Kostas Kirkizotis
“I’m playing on Gaia 3 alto now. Normally, it’s the Durga. And I have to say, it’s competitive now… When recording, I’m at a stand still on deciding which of the two mouthpieces to use. I enjoy them both. I really really really appreciate the thinner body. From the Gaia 3, Im finding that the hard rubber feels nicer in my embouchure. I have been wanting a thinner hard rubber mouthpiece like forever. Theo I love you for this. You are the man!” – Tarrus Powell
“Thank you for the fantastic GAIA alto mouthpiece. It’s even better than I expected. I can use this mouthpiece for any style. I’m getting the beautiful warmth and I’m getting the brightness I want when I push the volume.” – Mark White
“I have got to share about this Gaia for alto… My last gig I was playing obligatos behind a very good vocalist on All The Things You Are. During my solo the vocalist came over to me with TEARS in her eyes. She said my full name and told me to please keep playing. It choked me up. For one brief shining moment, I was the best saxophone player in the world, and isn’t that the goal of every saxophonist. I was playing a Gaia, and have to say it is a MASTERPIECE. Sensitivity, color, control, dynamics, intonation, immense power, immense projection, everything…I feel the tears welling up again.” – Larry Rauson
“The GAIA 3 is never going back! It is amazing!!!” – Jim Lamb
“I can’t describe how grateful I am. I have become a happy saxophonist who can experience the incredible pleasure of playing on the GAIA 3 alto mouthpiece. Your mouthpiece is the best I’ve had in my entire work as a saxophonist and it stay that way. I’m finally finished my search!” – Andy from Cyprus
“I have never had a mouthpiece that I don’t even have words for it! The most amazing thing that has ever happened to me playing the horn. I just cannot believe how this GAIA 3 mouthpiece plays!! I cannot thank you enough! Now I just need to dump my tone edge 7. Thanks!” – David Byl
“G’Day! I just want to let you know that I received the mouth pieces and your recommendation was 100% perfect, namely Slant Tig Tenor #6 Love it and GAIA 3 Alto #6 IT leaves me to think why in the hell I had been persevering with the mouth pieces I had. Once again, thanks mate.” – Regards David Turk
“I have to say that the GAIA Alto is amazingly versatile, it can go from a whisper to a scream effortlessly. I wish these mouthpieces had been around 55 years ago when I was starting out……” – Chris Mercer
“I received the Gaia 3 Alto and it is a really nice piece! Easy playing, very full nice rich sound, and even sound and feel, throughout the range. I am playing on a 1/2 strength harder reed effortlessly, and playing with more dynamics and forcefully in the upper register, mainly I think because of increased confidence its going to sound great! It’s not been that way for me on alto previously, always playing weaker in the palm keys. My wife who was in a different room thought I was playing a tenor. You probably used hear all these accolades. Anyways, thanks!” – Ho-ping
“The alto Gaia 4 has given my sax more power, better tone, and easier range. My low notes have so much meat to them while my altissimo has never been more natural. The overall loudness of my sax is also noticeable louder, but with killer tone. HomeSlice has been gigging for 20 years without a single audience member asking about what mouthpiece or reeds (Plasticover 3) I use. After getting this new mouthpiece, I have already had 4 people at different shows come up after our sets in the last 1.5 months wanting to learn what I was using. I LOVE this mouthpiece!” – HomeSlice Band
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Case: Beautiful Leatherette Case! Like the case? See our other Mouthpiece and Reed Cases here!
Serial Number: Includes serial number showing care given to your mouthpiece.
Plating: Reticulated 24K Gold plating with highlights on globe logo.
Premium Hard Rubber: The Hard Rubber GAIA4 uses the finest vintage style hard rubber on the planet!
Ligature: The metal GAIA 4 includes our integrated two-point contact 24K Gold Plated Liberty Ligature and Alive Gold pressure plate. The Hard Rubber GAIA 4 includes the Enlightened Ligature, rated #1 ligature in the world. To truly individualize your sound, try our premium Pressure Plates, which fit all of our mouthpieces and ligatures!.
Cap: Patented Reed Replacer Cap. The most secure cap in the world.
Bite Pad: User Replaceable Bite Pads allow you to peel and stick on new bite pads.
California residents please click here for Proposition 65 WARNING
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