[kryz]

Hi,
I'm a bit in trouble with my Link 9. ITs an older STM with less baffle than the models that are currently in production.
I'm playing this piece since a few moths and havin trouble with squiks in the high register, from about A-C.
It just happens when I attack the notes heavily and only with certain rather soft reeds.
I first thought, this is because I've choosen a too big tip (I'm about 6 years on sax, 3 on Bari, practicing about 2h a day and bari is my main horn) but everything works fine on the 8* and has been for over 2 years.

Facing on the STM 9 looks fine, but I'm not a mouthpiece guru

any hints?

Chris

 

[blindside398]

I had the same problem, actually. On the same piece ^_^, on a 7 facing though. I sold it and bought a runyon custom :]. Good luck with the ordeal.

 

[kryz]

I thought about that, but I really like the sound of the Link, and obviously the audience and other musicians do too, because I get often compliments on my sound.

Chris

 

[saxymanzach]

Try other links, other reeds, or send it to somebody to get it fixed.

 

[kryz]

Try other links, other reeds, or send it to somebody to get it fixed.

Hi,
I thought of that before. The Rico Royal 3,5 is definetely the read I like.

Trying other links is definetely an idea, but where? Shops here only have a 7 or a 7* at and there are the modern ones.

Refacing is an option, but here in Germany refacers are rare, and I don't want to pay 100 Euros for nothing.

Thx for your answers

Chris

 

[dirty]

Hi,
I thought of that before. The Rico Royal 3,5 is definetely the read I like.

Trying other links is definetely an idea, but where? Shops here only have a 7 or a 7* at and there are the modern ones.

Refacing is an option, but here in Germany refacers are rare, and I don't want to pay 100 Euros for nothing.

Thx for your answers

Chris

Those are really your options, equipmet-wise. You could send your mouthpiece to one of our own SOTW refacers like Ed Zentera (EZ sax) or Keith Bradbury (mojobari).

You could check to make sure you're taking in enough mouthpiece that you're not biting, though, which might be causing squeaks.

 

[kryz]

You could check to make sure you're taking in enough mouthpiece that you're not biting, though, which might be causing squeaks.

I talked to two teachers. Mine and anotherone. The both think that my embrouchoure is good, and I'm not biting.
They also both consider this mouthpiece comfotable for me.

The SOTW refacers are quite a bit too far for me (Germany!) but I'm emailing with Hans Werner Peters of Steamersound.de right now.

What would you think about the Tip? Leaving as is, or making it smaller?

Chris

 

[Grumpie]

kryz, here is another reface option for you in Germany, Mundstuck-Service.
I have no problems with Rico's on my STM 7, but some Vandorens had a tendency to squeek. After their first soak I put them on the mpc, play them for a few minutes and after that I give the backside of the reed a few strokes on very fine grit sandpaper to flatten it again. Most of the time the squeeks are gone after that.

 

[rleitch]

Although I don't have a problem with squeaks, I often find that if I'm not getting top sound from my STM it's because the reed has become slightly misaligned--either I haven't put it on straight or it shifts while I'm putting the mouthpiece on the neck. Often I won't notice this when looking at the tip, but it's off center at the back. Compared to my HR pieces, the table on the Link is a little more...narrow and slippery(?)...so I have to be extra careful about the placement? What lig are you using? If it's the stock one, that could be the culprit.

R.

 

[kryz]

Hi Grumpie, I know tittmann at least from the web, but I just don't feel comfortable sending my MPC to hin - don't now why.

I often flatten the table of my reeds with sandpaper on a mirror, but I'll pay some more attention next time!

@rleitch: I'm using a rovner dark and I'm always very careful about the reed position.

Chris

 

[Grumpie]

I agree that you have to feel comfortable about sending your mpc in. As I recall at least 2 members here had a piece done by tittmann with good result.
I use Rico Royals too, but on a STM7 and they do just fine. Good luck finding a solution.

 

[Dr_sax]

Hi Chris,
I know at least two pro sax players here in munich that had their mouthpieces refaced by tittmann with superb results. It´s probably the cheapest and best solution to have it refaced to your specs.

 

[kryz]

Hi Boris,
I had some email cotact with HWP and another guy for whom he opened up an vintage Bari Link (4**** I guess, but forgot). He answered all my questions very kindly, and I'll send my MPC to him. His cost estimate seemed very reasonable.

I'll report, when it comes back

thanks again for all your answers

Chris

 

[littlemanbighorn]

It sounds to me like you might be tightening up your jaw to make up for the extra openness at the tip on the 9. You might want to drop your reed strength a half-step and work on lots of long tones while focussing on keeping your jaw low and your embouchure reasonably loose. Also, long tones with jaw vibrato will help make sure you're not too tight while helping to build embouchure strength.
Above all, don't let it get you frustrated, as that can lead to creating more technique problems.
Is that the Link I sold you? I didn't have any specific problems with it but it's not the best one I've ever played and could probably benefit from the attention of one of our fine mouthpiece gurus.

 

[kryz]

It sounds to me like you might be tightening up your jaw to make up for the extra openness at the tip on the 9.

Thats, what I thought too, but I don't think so. Everything looks good, and feels comfortable. Can .005 make such a difference?!

You might want to drop your reed strength a half-step and work on lots of long tones while focussing on keeping your jaw low and your embouchure reasonably loose. Also, long tones with jaw vibrato will help make sure you're not too tight while helping to build embouchure strength.

I already tried. Even some of the 3,5 are nearly too soft.
I try to do about 20-30mins longtones, 8th and 5th everyday + about 10mins vibrato exercise.

Is that the Link I sold you? I didn't have any specific problems with it but it's not the best one I've ever played and could probably benefit from the attention of one of our fine mouthpiece gurus.

HUmm.. it is beter than the new 9 I had before and I like the sound, so I think I'll keep it.

Wi'll see what comes after the reface...

 

[kryz]

Hi,
I recieved the MPC back from the reface today.
I haven't been practicing much recently and couldn't find much time today, but for now I really like it.
The Sound in the middle register is much fuller and richer.
Response over the whole range. It also improved my squeek problem, but it's still there. Now its up to me

Chris

 

[kryz]

I know, nobody is interested anymore, but I just wanted to "finish" this thread.

The problem that was/is causing the problems is the horn. It was leaking in the upper register. I got it fixed for now, but maybe have to get it to a tech.

Otherwise it plays great, and after all i might have saved money with that reface. I have a bunch of 20 read, I thought were bad and can play now or at least practice^^

Chris

 

[Wattson]

I was reading through the thread and was like "this sounds like me!"
I've been having the same trouble with the school horn I was using. I recently went to the shop and tried out some horns (really nice ones) and none had that trouble with squeaking and concluded it was my horn.
I was gonna reply and suggest that, but there you go~

glad everything worked out