[LiAm84]

:line6: I just aquired an old 'no usa' florida link which is a 6 opening. Ive been playing on a 7* florida for a while now so thought I might get the 6 opened up to around an 8 by Freddie Gregory. I picked Freddie coz he's closest to me here in europe.

Im after a Grant Stewart type sound and although the 6 blows suprisingly well, it has got abit of a sharper, thinner sound in the upper register where as I'd like a fuller and thicker tone up there.

Any opinions on Freddie's work at refacing links? Do you think its safe opening a piece from a 6 to an 8 or might it ruin it?

Im still trying to find out what size link grant stewart plays so if any one knows please tell!!!

You can listen to him on youtube if you havent heard him.

thanks!!

 

[Saxland]

I have no idea, but I just emailed Grant Stewart from his website at www.grantstewartjazz.com and asked him about his tip opening and mouthpiece. When you click on the Contact button up pops a window that has a good picture of his mouthpiece with reed in it.

 

[LiAm84]

Ive tried emailing before but got no reply. let me know if you find anything?

 

[Dr G]

LiAm, it may not be the mouthpiece - neither of your mouthpieces should be getting sharper and thinner in the upper register. That is most often a sign of one closing one's throat and forcing the sound.

Regarding Freddie Gregory: I play one of his Mk II metal mouthpieces and consider his finish work exquisite.

 

[LiAm84]

Dr G, have you got any recordings of yourself we can hear??

 

[Saxland]

I'll post his reply if there is one. A computer generated reply has already been sent saying thanks for viewing the website.

 

[Nefertiti]

I have a FG Mark II recording posted on my website if you want to hear it. I've played a few FG pieces and all of them were very good and looked amazing.

 

[Chicken 'Lil]

I agree with most; his work is excellent. But, I hate to say it, it's not for me. I feel the same way about JVW pieces (I know that's got to be sacrilege but, you know).

 

[byas-a-drink]

I agree too. Freddie's work is great. I had him reface some of my vintage links. they all play beautiful, but they definitively do not have the Grant Steward's Rollinesque vibe (BTW i think he plays an open link 9 or 9*) .
All the mpc he works on get his typical Gregory sound, open dark sound with enough edge, great articulation etc...

 

[Tryptykon]

I'm pretty sure that Grant's using a Tonemaster which, if stock, lacks the
pronounced rollover behind the tip .

The era of Links you have, probably have more of the rollover which will
add some distinct edge [capabilities].

You might try a darker reed to add some resistance, and pay more attention
to how you blow and attack the notes to get more of a Rollins vibe.

 

[byas-a-drink]

if you have a look at the pics on grant's web page, you can see that when he's wearing his dark blue suit he 's playing a tone master, and when he's got his black suit on he plays a Fla link.
I think he wears black suits on weekends, but i'm not sure...

Thanks for the advices, i have some originals fla links that have that rollins vibe (9* and 10* played with FL 3 1/2 work fine fir that kind of sound).
The Freddie Gregory refaced link are more going for a George Coleman kind of sound, which isn't bad neither

 

[Selmer's_glu]

I can't speak for Grant (someone I used to play with, back in my earlier days in nyc), but I believe he would agree that, as long as you can find a metal link that can play & thats not overtly bright, and like in the 7* to 8* range, & a softer reed, THE REST IS UP TO YOU.

 

[newsax]

Liam, If you can i would leave the link as original and you may find it plays better with another horn some day,later on you might regret it if you have it worked on .the so called perfected links in my experience dont have the Rollinesque vibe ,you would be better to try one of freddies pieces and if you like it get one of them instead but as allready mentioned i would agree they have a more George coleman type vibe.I say keep it original if you can

you might need a nice open sounding horn to get a 6 to sound big enough

 

[LiAm84]

Thanks for the imput guys! Im not really after that george coleman sound so may leave the 6 as it is for now like you suggest...

One reason I was considering getting freddie gregory to reface the link was becuase he had refaced a really good british tenor players old master link from a 5 to a 10* and he gets a great Grant/Rollins-esque sound...

Check him out and let me know what you think...

his myspace: http://www.myspace.com/robertsfishwickquintet

 

[newsax]

Yeah ,sounds good.I have seen and heard this page before ,i know the Fishwicks.Harry Allen plays one of those mpcs ,opened to a 10 makes sense ,big chamber and big lay ,easier to blow and good on reeds as well nothing wrong with that.

 

[Saxland]

Grant Stewart's setup

Grant Stewart answered my email question asking what mouthpiece he uses. His response concerning his setup is:

"My mouthpiece is an 8* florida link, the face of the piece is longer than usual, I think 150 or 155. I use #3 vandoren ZZ."

Straight from the source.

 

[MojoBari]

Riiight.....What's a cubit?

He may mean 50-55 facing length. = 25-27.5 mm long

 

[Saxland]

I have no ideas about facing lengths, only tip openings, and if I sound good . What I wrote was a direct quote from Grant. Thanks for pointing that out Mojo, I was scratching my head trying to figure out what he ment. I guess a 150 would mean a 75mm facing length? Now thats got to have some floof power.

 

[MojoBari]

Yeah, it would extend into the ligature. I doubt he meant tip opening, but .150" tip is a possibility.