This is a very fine mouthpiece in my opinion, providing really good quality and playability at an affordable price, suitable for playing a variety of genres. It has a clever cup and throat design combination with the thickness just right and high quality finish, (in Yamaha's Neo series), all combining to support better tone over a wide range and ease of tonal control in the lower range of the horn. I found, happily, with this particular mouthpiece, slight changes in how the low notes are blown can alter the tonal character quite a lot, making the horn more of a solo-suitable instrument, probably reminding the player or listener of other brass, or even a reed-played instrument like the alto Sax or bass clarinet. Mid-range notes are so easy with warm tone and higher notes are fine with practice. If you are fairly new to alto horn, (as I am), but used to playing trumpet, cornet or other higher brass, most of the full range will soon be yours! So this is a really good well-designed item which would suit many players. The thing is, we all have different needs, so a particular mouthpiece won't suit everyone. Yes, it's a modern design from a best brand, supplied by a best supplier - Thomann - of course! It arrived well packed and protected, in only several days. Please note I have been so pleased with this item, I have now ordered another similar mouthpiece from Thomann, also of this Yamaha Neo range, but this time to suit my baritone horn.