[HOUSTON NONET]

Seems like Meyers are the standard measure for alto mpcs and Links for tenor. But recently I am more aware of alto players (other than Bird) that use metal Links on alto and sound great-- Jesse Davis, Peter King, Ian Hendrickson-Smith. Similar to hard rubber Links and Meyers but despite the same low baffle design the metal links sound different.
WHY?:? :?

 

[Dave Dolson]

Why? Because of their individual embouchures. There are no one-fits-all mouthpieces. DAVE

 

[HOUSTON NONET]

Agree Dave but the 3 cats I mentoned (have you heard them play) all have similar tones-- real nice "BUZZ" to the tone-- has to be something with the mpcs. All 3 use old Tone Masters

 

[Dave Dolson]

Houston: No, I haven't heard them. I can't answer "Why" other than to repeat that it is in their embouchures (and desired tonal style).

I am not surprised that several players all may play the same mouthpiece design in seeming opposition to common wisdom (that Meyers are the hot ticket for alto) - and come up with a similar sound. If you ask me (and I know you didn't), many players sound the same, regardless of their equipment.

My favorite altoist is Paul Woltz, a traditional-jazz player who lives in Seattle. His alto is an old Conn 6M with a metal Link (at least it was the last time I played with him). While I love what he does, he sounds like a good alto, that's all (with tons of trad technique and style thrown in).

I use a Don Sinta or Meyer 6S-M on my various altos and only wish I could sound like Paul, but I'd probably never switch to a metal Link on alto (tried it already). DAVE

 

[milandro]

link STM on alto, 6M or Martin, great spread sound!

 

[HOUSTON NONET]

what is a DON SINTA
that is a new one for me
Conn altos and metal links should be a great combo

 

[Martinman]

I played a Link on my Selmer alto with a ZZ and it sounded exactly like my CS80 C*

 

[Dave Dolson]

I recently received a new Don Sinta (hard rubber) alto piece from a fellow SOTW poster. He claimed the tip-opening was similar to a C*, which is normally WAY to closed for my tastes. I don't have a way to measure that.

However, I slapped it on one of my altos and with a Fibracell 1 1/2 (SOFT) reed, the thing has by far the biggest, most controllable voice among my alto pieces that I normally use (Meyer 6S-M, Super Session F, Soloist F, Morgan-Bilger 6). DAVE

 

[HOUSTON NONET]

WOW-- never heard of a Sinta--cool

 

[Agent27]

Don't forget Sonny Stitt. Stitt often played a Link on alto as well as tenor.

 

[hakukani]

Don Sinta's been the sax prof at Michigan for a number of years, and has had many 'classical' pieces written with him in mind. I've always thought of his tone as very dark and has a certain testicularity.

I would assume that his mouthpieces were designed to help him in that respect, just as Rousseau's were designed for flexibility.

But that's just my $.02...

 

[J.Max]

The Sinta mouthpiece is made by Richard Hawkins in Chicago, and is an excellent piece. Be aware though, that Donald Sinta doesn't actually play on one...Mr. Hawkins says that the Sinta mouthpieces are "inspired" by Prof. Sinta's Short Shank Soloist. (It's made from a very nice Zinner blank too.) I had one, and liked it a lot, but it couldn't unseat my Morgan 3C.

As far as Links on alto go, one of the reasons that they sound different is because they generally have a larger chamber (try comparing a Meyer L chamber if you can find one) and there isn't as much "squeeze" to the chamber as in a Meyer. I also believe that the "floor" of the throat of a Link is lower, (Brian Powell describes this much better than I can) and this contributes to a more spread sound. This is great for tenor, but on alto it can sound tubby if you are used to hearing a more compact sound.

 

[Peter Stevens]

Seems like Meyers are the standard measure for alto mpcs and Links for tenor. But recently I am more aware of alto players (other than Bird) that use metal Links on alto and sound great-- Jesse Davis, Peter King, Ian Hendrickson-Smith. Similar to hard rubber Links and Meyers but despite the same low baffle design the metal links sound different.
WHY?:? :?

Hi Houston,

I play both a Slant link and a NY meyer. Recently I purchased a V-series made by Zagar. The interesting thing about the V is that according to Dave Zagar, this mouthpiece is a hybrid between these two great vintage mpcs.

To tell you the truth, I always liked the slant for its fat and effortless low notes, but love the NY meyer for the peircing top end; particularly the altisimo.

Now I have both in one great piece that didnt cost me the earth either. I suggest you give Dave a call. BTW, great guy, superb products and fantastic return policy!!!!

Hope this helps....

 

[Grumps]

Yeah, who cares what this thread is about. Buy a Zagar...

 

[jamiejazz]

I've used a HR link 7 for 15 years. Apart from the odd fling on others it's been consistently good for Jazz, section playing etc. I was practicing the Bach Cello suites on it just this morning. (You can hear me playing it with my 4tet on the Youtube links below)

It wasn't until reading this website that I had any shakes on the Link-but in the end, nothing else had the right sound for me.

I have a feeling that any problems I've had with it have to do with playing it on a Mk VI. These altos are quite resistant and usually work best with close facings. Peter King & Mike Williams (about the best, most underrated alto player in the UK) both play Yanagisawa horns that allow the notes to speak more quickly than a Mk Vi. But with time, I've found I can play almost anything on this mouthpiece.

Jamie O'D.

You

 

[patseguin]

I didn't think Pete King was using a Link. The couple times I saw him playing I thought it was a Lebayle.

 

[HOUSTON NONET]

I've used a HR link 7 for 15 years. Apart from the odd fling on others it's been consistently good for Jazz, section playing etc. I was practicing the Bach Cello suites on it just this morning. (You can hear me playing it with my 4tet on the Youtube links below)

It wasn't until reading this website that I had any shakes on the Link-but in the end, nothing else had the right sound for me.

I have a feeling that any problems I've had with it have to do with playing it on a Mk VI. These altos are quite resistant and usually work best with close facings. Peter King & Mike Williams (about the best, most underrated alto player in the UK) both play Yanagisawa horns that allow the notes to speak more quickly than a Mk Vi. But with time, I've found I can play almost anything on this mouthpiece.

Jamie O'D.

You

Hmm this cat is a player
What link do you use STM Tone Master. Does King still use a Link mpc?

 

[Peter Stevens]

Yeah, who cares what this thread is about. Buy a Zagar...

or buy a NY meyer and a slant link and play then both together at the same time! lol.....

Hope this helps....

 

[SaxyAcoustician]

Peter King is awesome.

Dave is right. That buzz you hear comes from the player.

 

[benbyrne]

I play an early babbitt HR link on my alto and I wouldn't have it any other way. But like everyone says everyone likes different mpcs. I hate meyers with the exception of the only NY meyer I've ever played... that thing was a work of art... but I think any one would tell you the same!