"I highly recommend Karl Hammond mouthpieces. They are well-made, free-blowing, even sounding and easy to play. When I called Karl, he listened carefully to what I was looking for musically, made some recommendations and quickly sent me mouthpieces that were exactly what I was looking for. They're versatile and work great for any style of music. Go to Karl Hammond and you'll find superior quality, great service, reasonable prices and a craftsman who understands musical demands from the perspective of a performer. A heck of a nice guy too!"

-Charles Lazarus
Minnesota Orchestra

   "After satisfying my initial curiosity about the Hammond Design 21BL mouthpiece, I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly I adapted to it and how comfortable it has become.
   My needs for a mouthpiece that can be used for everything; orchestral, chamber and solo playing have been met.
   For me, it has the perfect balance between cup depth, rim size, throat, density and comfort. It seems to make things easier to play, while helping me produce the sound I’m used to. I highly recommend this stock mouthpiece."

-Randall Hawes
Bass Trombone Detroit Symphony Orchestra
Lecturer Northwestern University

   "The mouthpieces that I have had made by Karl Hammond have been exactly what I have been looking for in terms of ease of registers, clarity of sound and improved intonation. The willingness to listen to the customer and make adjustments is a testament to making truly great trumpet mouthpieces that match the instrument to near perfection. There is no “acclamation period” for his mouthpieces as they felt almost identical to what I had played on before but much improved. The rim diameter, contour and cup depth are exactly what I was looking for. I can finally play on mouthpieces that I know are a good fit and not have to try an assortment of mouthpieces from other companies to find a similar feel between my mouthpieces."

   "To find one mouthpiece maker that makes equipment that is truly versatile is not common. Other mouthpiece manufacturers sacrifice one thing for another. They may make great “Lead” mouthpieces, but not very good “Classical/non-Lead” mouthpieces, much less cornet or flugelhorn mouthpieces that will have the ability to keep the exact rim shape, contour and diameter as your trumpet mouthpiece. I have never found a mouthpiece maker that can do what Karl does with such ease and speed. I know these mouthpieces will be the talk of many trumpet players for years to come."

- Dr. Ramon Vasquez
Professor of Trumpet
Auburn University

   "After nearly 40 years of trying all "newcomers" to the mouthpiece market, Karl Hammond of Hammond Design has developed a line of trombone mouthpieces that is truly exceptional. From the small bore tenor to large bass mouthpieces, response, focus and depth of sound as well as ease of play are all astonishingly combined. The workmanship is without equal and his true willingness to provide custom work is absolutely refreshing. I have never had such a pleasurable experience with any maker. Karl is a true artist whose interest is in providing the musician with what they want in their equipment."

- Elliot L Chasanov
Professor of Trombone
Chair-Brass Studies
School of Music
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA
Former Principal Trombone and Soloist The United States Air Force Band
and Orchestra, Washington, DC

   "Hammond Design mouthpieces are superbly crafted and a beautiful design, but most importantly, they make an immediate tonal difference. Ease in achieving focus, clarity, and resonance encourage me to recommend Karl Hammond's mouthpieces to my own students, as well as the thousands of brass players that I see each year in clinics and master classes."

- Joe Dixon
Dallas-based trombonist, brass clinician, instructor, and lecturer

   "As a jazz and free-lance trumpeter in Chicago, I need the best "all-around" mouthpiece I can find. I have found that in Karl's 3mlx mouthpiece. It has the comfort and warmth of a larger mouthpiece. I can easily play it in combo, big band or studio settings. It helps me get the open sound of a Bach mouthpiece, but with a bit more flair and lustre when I need it. Thanks,"

- Art Davis
Associate Professor of Jazz Studies
School of Music
Northern Illinois University
Former Soloist with The Ray Charles Orchestra

"The Hammond 12 ML mouthpiece is the best 5G-type mouthpiece I have played so far. It has a rich, articulate, present and warm sound, and is easy to colour as well. It is also comfortable to play. Simply what I have been looking for!"

- Håvard Svendsen
principal trombonist, Western Norway Army Band

"I am very impressed by the overall singing quality of Karl Hammonds' trumpet mouthpieces.
Karl offers design that respects and amplifies a players’ biggest asset: his tone."

- Dr. Alfons Vernooy
free-lance classical trumpeter. Nieuwegein, The Netherlands.

   "Finding Karl Hammond has been the final leg of a long trip. His patience, willingness to listen, knowledge and attention to detail have made him a rare commodity in the sea of mouthpiece makers. The trumpet and flugel pieces that he built for me have simplified my life. Intonation, response and tonal quality, from below the staff to above double c, have become something that I expect, rather than something I have to monitor every minute. I've even had guys, that have sat in front of me for years, turn around and compliment me on the new setups."

   "If you're looking for a great "stock" piece, with better playing characteristics than what you have, or a specific tool for a specific job I would recommend Hammond Design above all others. I can say this because of the respect I have for his integrity and abilities in addition to the respect he has shown me."

- Chuck Parrish
Chicago Freelance Trumpet Player
Former lead player for Ray Charles, Woody Herman,
Mel Torme and many others