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Mission
Area Flat Five LLC develops superior original designs for musical instruments and accessories at its secretive Acoustic Test and Training Range. Its first product, the Stachelvarius Orca saxophone mouthpiece, was developed over a year and a half of intensive testing and research. This original design was the brainchild of Norbert Stachel, inspired by cetaceans to create a mouthpiece as beautiful in form as in performance.
Pictured here are some of the earliest Orca prototypes in raw bronze, 24 karat gold plating, and black rhodium plating. These are painstakingly produced using a combination of traditional and modern methods from lost-wax casting to 3D printing. We put an extraordinary amount of hand-finish work into each piece from surfacing the rough castings to applying precision facings. Guided by acoustic principles, our chamber design has evolved with meticulous experimentation and data collection into an incredible performer.
The Orca
Norbert Stachel’s woodwind mouthpiece line, inspired by the sleek forms of whales, begins with the Stachelvarius Orca tenor saxophone model.
Stunning looks combine with unprecedented power. The Orca exhibits none of typical high-baffle compromises — it provides jaw-dropping volume without sacrificing low end or intonation. A solid tenor tone, louder than you’ve ever heard it before! But also expressive to the quietest pianissimo and subtone.
So unique that 4 out of 5 saxophonists exclaim, “WTF is that?!!” the first time they see it. Such projection that saxophone tech Frank Kozyra dubbed it the “Freaky Mouth Cannon”. This one won’t sit in the mouthpiece drawer.
Availability
The tenor Orca will be available in limited qualities starting December 1, 2019. Check the Area Flat Five Depot for available stock or to place advance orders.
Terms of sale are on our FAQ page.
For more information, check out the Stachelvarius Mouthpieces brochure site. We’re also on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
Feel free to contact us with any questions.
Design Features
- An aggressive rollover baffle that isn’t bonkers high
- Rounded side walls for that fat, classic tone
- Unique throat design improved over 200 iterations for projection and character
- Chamber available in micro-sizes to optimize intonation for different players and horns
- Double the mass of typical metal tenor pieces
- Cast silicon bronze
- Gold or black rhodium plating
- Striking, patented appearance
Gallery
Testimonials
My new Tenor mouthpiece created by the awesome Norbert Stachel and Kevin Danenberg is as amazing a mouthpiece as I ever played! Thank you guys for widening and fattening my tone and making my job so much easier!! For those of you on a mouthpiece search you need to check out the Orca Stachelvarius!
Tom E. Politzer
Lead tenor with Tower of Power