H. COUF Superba I Alto
- Grey Stone
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
The H. Couf Superba I alto saxophone, a professional model manufactured by Julius Keilwerth in Germany (with rolled tone holes and a distinctive dark, powerful tone), pairs well with mouthpieces that complement its bold, spread sound and large bell design.
Players often report it responds best to large-chamber pieces for a fat, dark timbre, though brighter options can add edge depending on your style.
Recommended Mouthpieces
Stock H. Couf Artist mouthpiece (often a 6* tip opening) — Many original owners praise it for delivering the classic fat, dark tone the horn is known for. It's a large-chamber hard rubber piece (likely made by Zinner) and a great starting point if you can find one.
Vandoren A27 (or similar Optimum series) — Frequently cited as an excellent modern match for good intonation and a warm, controlled sound on the Superba I alto.
Other popular pairings — Vintage Otto Link (e.g., tone edge or metal for more projection)
Meyer or Rousseau models, as the horn can handle a range of classical to jazz setups without major tuning issues (unlike some high-baffle pieces that may cause instability).
The Superba I tends to favor medium to large chamber designs over very bright/high-baffle options, which can sometimes feel mismatched.
Famous Saxophonists
No widely documented famous jazz or professional saxophonists are specifically known for playing the H. Couf Superba I alto as their primary instrument. The brand was highly regarded in its era (1960s–1980s) and has a cult following today for its Keilwerth build quality, but it didn't achieve the mainstream endorsement status of brands like Selmer or Conn.
Herbert Couf himself was a professional saxophonist (and clarinetist with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra), but he is better known as the importer and brand namesake rather than a recording artist on the Superba I.
Some notable players have used Keilwerth horns in general (e.g., James Moody historically, Ernie Watts and Euge Groove more recently), but not specifically the Couf stencil models. The horn's reputation comes more from enthusiastic amateur and pro players who value its unique, powerful voice.
