[Humbardi]

Hi All :
I had the opportunity to buy a new Otto link Super Tone Master 6 for my Alto Saxophone. As I am returning after many, many years without playing , I would like to hear your experiences with this mouthpiece in particular. Which reeds do you use with this mpc and where can i find some clips of audio made using this mpc. I appreciate your info. Many thanks

 

[LeftySaxDude]

I would look up Peter King on youtube, since he played on a STM 6 or 6* for years, before switching to a similarly designed Freddie Gregory mouthpiece. I personally don't care for the extra large chamber of the STM on alto, as it tends to make the tone super tubby sounding. I would try using Rico Select Jazz 3M reeds, either filed or unfiled. Good luck!

 

[Zephram]

I play one. It needs a fairly free blowing reed. Superial 2.5 is about right, I've also used Fibracell #2s with success.

I never have cared for the OL ligature; I think the Olegature ($$) or Eddie Daniels is where it's at. But I'll recommend the Superials without reservation for the stock OL setup.

 

[Dagvei]

I play one too (7*), on my spare, good old Yamaha YAS-21 alto, with Alexander Superial 2,5 reeds for big band/lead stuff. Otherwise, I play the Phil-Tone Custom HR/Tone Edge 6 with Rovner Legacy and same reeds on that sax. A Link can transform an otherwise thin sound into a fat sound!

 

[AlanU]

I use a 5* (the same as Peter King used for many, many years) which I like a lot on some horns.
It works well on my Buescher TT and Martin Handcraft but not the Mauriat which it seems to stifle.

I agree with Zephram about the Link ligature which merely pushes the end of the screw into one point of the back of the reed. And the knurled knob hurt my thumb when trying to get it tight enough.
I find a Rovner type works well.
I'm using Rico Jazz Select 2 or Fibracell, but still vacillating over that problem.

 

[bakkiemetkoekie]

I play mine 6* with java red 3 reed. The ligature i put quite high on the reed. Also i cut my reed so i have little bit more resistance. Mine is also florida, very good! I Llike!

 

[Nefertiti]

Here's a sound clip of a 7 metal link that Freddie Gregory worked on http://www.neffmusic.com/blog/2009/08/freddie-gregory-refaced-metal-otto-link-7-alto-mouthpiece/ . It was much brighter than I imagined a metal link would be.

 

[madbebopper]

I used a metal otto link super tone master for years when I was in my 20s and 30s, and when I played in the Lionel Hampton Orchestra between 1982 and 1986. I got a metal otto link for the alto because I had always loved Sonny Stitt's sound and Sonny used a Super Tone Master on both tenor and alto. Sonny Stitt always had an incredible focused sound with great character, a nice bite and yet a very warm full sound whether he was playing up tempos or a slow ballad.
Now, after many years, I am trying to play a metal otto link on alto again, but am finding that they are especially tough to find good reeds. I have been playing a metal super tone master on tenor for years and I don't find it much of a challenge to get a decent sound with most reeds, but the alto is rather finicky. Good luck with your piece and I suggest just to stick with it for a while until you can get comfortable. It's a very different kind of mouthpiece and you have to blow them a bit different than say a Meyer or Gregory or any hard rubber piece. If you can get it working, there's nothing quite link it. Check out some Stitt from mid-fifties through late sixties and you'll hear that sound.