But aren’t the mouthpieces from Meyer and Otto Link already perfect?

They are iconic! Used by the likes of John Coltrane, Dexter Gordon, and others, Meyer and Otto Link have been loved for decades. Their designs helped define what jazz, classical, and contemporary saxophone playing should sound like. From smoky clubs to conservatoire recital halls, their pieces shaped the instrument’s tone and response in ways that still influence how you hear the instrument today.

JJ Babbitt, founded in 1919 in Elkhart, Indiana, became the long-term steward of these iconic designs. Over more than a century, their mouthpieces earned trust through feel and consistency in performance settings that really matter – on stage, in the studio, and in the practice room.

Other brands have borrowed and copied their designs, but for saxophonists and clarinettists who want the mouthpieces that set the standard, Meyer and Otto Link are the go-to. This new partnership with Theo Wanne isn’t about redesigning what is already so established and adored, it’s about refining them even further with modern manufacturing techniques.

The original designs and moulds will be retained, which is why dedicated fans of Meyer and Otto Link are so excited about Theo Wanne’s inclusion.

What will the Theo Wanne and JJ Babbitt partnership bring?

JJ Babbitt’s partnership with Theo Wanne brings together the original Meyer and Otto Link designs with modern manufacturing expertise. The aim is to protect what made these mouthpieces iconic while improving how they’re produced.

Through this collaboration, the original designs and moulds will stay the same, but they will be manufactured with new levels of precision, repeatability, and process control. The result is consistency.

You shouldn’t feel like you’re entering a “lottery” when choosing a mouthpiece. The goal is to deliver the character you expect, more reliably.

As well as this consistency, having such a refined production process also ensures skilled craftsmanship remains central.

Now, there’s more advanced machinery being used – adopting Theo Wanne’s modern, innovative practices to carry the legacy of decades-old designs. And the people of JJ Babbitt have undergone detailed training to ensure the meticulous human part of the manufacturing process and quality standards are upheld.

In essence, the JJ Babbitt and Theo Wanne collaboration is about respect for the heritage and influence of Meyer and Otto Link’s mouthpiece designs, using improved tools and standards to carry their quality forward. The result is a process that balances tradition and innovation while preserving the unmistakable core of these legendary designs.

For you, that brings greater confidence every time you pick up your saxophone. You’ll have a mouthpiece routed in history, made with precise, innovative, modern techniques.

FAQs

Where is Theo Wanne located?

Theo Wanne is located in Bellingham, Washington. The company moved their facilities here in 2014.

What mouthpiece did John Coltrane play on?

John Coltrane used the Otto Link Tone Master mouthpiece with a wedge inside to get that signature bright sound that worked perfectly with his tenor saxophone.

Does a saxophone mouthpiece matter?

Having a good saxophone mouthpiece can drastically influence your sound – in fact, it’s possibly one of the most important parts of your setup. It won’t completely transform a poor-sounding instrument but will improve the dynamic range and tone of your playing, depending on its tip opening and materials.

Final thoughts

We’re excited to see where the Theo Wanne and JJ Babbit partnership takes us – and so are many other saxophonists around the world. This is a defining moment for all the brands involved, one that sees history and legacy recognised and refined with modern manufacturing.