The Caravan C-Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece represents a modern open-chamber mouthpiece produced to complement vintage C-tenor saxophones (commonly referred to as “C-melody” saxophones). Thousands of these instruments were produced in the U.S. (most in Elkhart, Indiana) prior to 1930, and many of them are still being used in various settings today. While often presenting more pitch problems to overcome compared with more modern Eb altos and Bb tenors, the C tenor produces a uniquely beautiful sound. This new C-tenor mouthpiece is similar to the Caravan Bb Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece on the inside and has essentially the same facing curve and tip opening (around .067 in.), but its shorter length and bore are sized to be appropriate for the C-tenor. Dr. Caravan used a Conn C-tenor saxophone (serial no. 132xxx) in the design and testing of this mouthpiece. Compared with an original vintage Conn C-tenor mouthpiece, the new mouthpiece produced a larger, darker tone and a somewhat better pitch center. (NOTE: This C-tenor mouthpiece is designed to use a regular Bb tenor saxophone reed and ligature.)
PRICE CHANGE NOTE: After holding prices steady since Jan. 1,
2022—despite some unusually high inflation during the last couple
years—list prices for all mouthpieces have been adjusted upward as of
July 12, 2023. The increase was made necessary principally because of a
15-percent increase in the cost of all mouthpieces from the factory as
of Jan. 1, 2023. Standing inventory of most mouthpieces at the beginning
of the year enabled Caravan Mouthpieces to delay increasing retail
prices past the half-year mark, and the percent increases per product
have been generally held to between 5 and 6 percent. (Exceptions are the
clarinet mouthpiece, which had a larger increase previously, and the
C-tenor [C-melody] saxophone mouthpiece, which had a $15 factory
increase earlier in 2023 that was immediately added to the retail price.
Hence, retail prices for these two were adjusted minimally this time.)
Owing to the strict quality control of each mouthpiece placed into
inventory for sale to customers, all the Caravan mouthpieces remain an
unusually high value at their price points.
