Lotus Trumpet Mouthpiece 9XS 3rd gen

Up for sale is the Lotus Mouthpiece 9XS (Brass), an increasingly prominent player among next-generation mouthpieces.

This mouthpiece is created under the concept of making it possible to express your music more enjoyably and easily in any genre, personally overseen by top player Adam Rappa. While a newer instrument, its user base is growing, and its popularity has surged, especially after the lead and 4th trumpet players of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, who recently visited Japan, were seen using it. In terms of mouthpieces, it also gained attention as a favorite of Till Brönner, who also visited Japan recently.

The 9XS is equivalent to a Bach 10-1/2, with a cup depth suitable for reeds around E-F. I used to play a 10-1/2E myself, and compared to that, this mouthpiece allows for playing without feeling excessively tight. At the same time, it functions like a double cup, effectively supporting clear high notes.

It's believed that Adam Rappa, who previously used Monette, was influenced by their design philosophy. Compared to traditional mouthpieces like Bach, it has a shorter overall length, making it less prone to high notes sounding strained. However, its overall length is longer than most common cups, and the throat is made smaller, allowing for easier access to the higher range.

This is just my personal opinion, but shallow mouthpieces like the YAMAHA Eric Model are often used as a secret weapon for pop music or horn sections. However, I believe there's a clear difference in effect when comparing those to modern mouthpieces with a re-evaluated overall structure. (I also used to play EM mouthpieces.) The sound resonates well, making it versatile for bright, upper-register playing.

I have previously used the 7S Brass 2nd gen, 7XS Nickel 2nd gen, 7XS Nickel 3rd gen, and now this 9XS Brass 3rd gen. I found the XS cup to be excellent for tackling songs from Southern, EW&F, TOP, and similar genres. However, I also felt that while the Nickel version produced a solid sound, it could be too piercing for backing vocals. Therefore, to adjust the size and sound, I switched to the 7XS Brass, leading to this sale. (I currently use the 7M2 N and 7XL2 B in parallel.)

This item shows minimal signs of use and is in beautiful condition.