[Nopunonsax]

I recently purchased an alto Otto Link Tone Edge 6* from a well-know European internet store and upon receiving the sealed unit, opened it to discover that the mouthpiece's chamber was dirty, scratched and unpolished and the inside of the rails had machining marks. The unit was immediately returned and, thanks to threads on SOTW, I declined to order another, ordering a Selmer Soloist D instead. This duly arrived in an unsealed carton. The mouthpiece had developed a two-tone colour scheme of dark green/black, the black being underneath the metal ligature. There was a deep scratch on the reed table, there were small chips out of the mouthpiece tip and a rubber mouthpatch had been fitted. I immediately returned this mouthpiece expressing the view that I could be forgiven for thinking that it was second-hand. I currently await the replacement for this mouthpiece.
The first example was not the fault of the retailer, but one can hardly say the same for the second.

I live in hope of receiving a new, intact mouthpiece.

This is my very first post on this most interesting forum, that I have often visited and, I suppose, is a way of introducing myself. So, "Hello!"

 

[BlueTone]

Hi Nopunonsax: A warm Welcome to SOTW.

Boy..Sounds like you've really "Broke the law of averages"
Most of us (when ordering mouthpieces) have been very...or at least, Fairly content with the condition of new mouthpieces.
I can only speak for myself but I've Never had a "New but looked Used" mouthpiece sent to me....anyway...Future Good Luck!

 

[Grumps]

Now that you're here, make sure to check out the Marketplace section. Lots of mouthpieces offered for sale and/or trade daily. I certainly would return a used mouthpiece sold to me as new, but then again, all my main pieces on alto, tenor and bari came to me second hand.

 

[bruce bailey]

I think the Selmer was used outside in the sun which discolored the area outside the ligature. Used for sure.

 

[Ptrick]

OK - since noone else is asking the obvious - I'll play devil's advocate and ask: " did you play any of them?"

I realize that the mouthpieces you ordered are probably hacked by someone. And on the other side of the coin I know that some manufacturers have people working on the pieces that have no clue how to actually play the saxophone. BTW polishing a table or rails makes them "purdy" but polishing also removes material thereby rendering whatever measurements done before the polishing stage invalid.
I personally leave areas of my pieces in an unfinished state to save my customers money. Also I have found a certain sound/response factor coming from my rough large chamber pieces that when honed smooth disappears... ooooohhhh :shock:
The state of quality in this current world is getting more and more polarized. (great work in places, garbage in others)
Cheers,
patrick