[musicteen098]

ok im thinking of getting an Otto Link 7* super tone master for my tenor saxophone, any tips on getting one or any better ones out there on the market i want my saxophone to have a blues or jazz sound

 

[hakukani]

That piece would be a good start. Just remember--it's YOU make the sound, the sax just responds...

That being said, you could do worst than a copy of Bergonzi's mouthpiece, as made by the mouthpiece guys...

 

[dstack79]

Go for it.

If possible, play a bunch of Otto Links side by side. Don't be afraid to try something a bit smaller like a 6 or 6*. They may work better for you and sound a bit clearer.

-Dan

 

[musicteen098]

i never got that whats the 6 and 7 mean i know there facings i just dont know what facings change or do and thanks for the help and my name is dan to lol i just find it funny when i see somebody with the same name as me

 

[dstack79]

The numbers refer to the tip opening...the gap between the reed and mouthpiece into which you blow.

Larger openings are more flexible and can be played louder but require greater control. Without getting too technical, I think mouthpieces like Otto Link play best w/ more conservative openings.

Just try a bunch of whatever you can get your hands on and play whatever feels right to you.

-Dan

 

[eidollon]

That is the one that I use with my yani T880 - works well for me and I am happy with it. I changed the original metal lig for a black leather-like (do not have any clue on the brand/model). I found that it gave little more flexibilty and smooth.

That being said I have very few experience in tenor mps.

 

[steve]

I don't know what your budget is, but here is an option:

http://saxquest.com/productDetails.asp?productcode=Link7StarSTenor

I bought a Tenney 8* STM from Saxquest a few years ago and have been very satisfied with it.

Another option would be to try several off the shelf Links, pick the best, and send it to Mojo. He did wonders with my NY STM 9*

 

[dagnabbit]

ok im thinking of getting an Otto Link 7* super tone master for my tenor saxophone, any tips on getting one or any better ones out there on the market i want my saxophone to have a blues or jazz sound

What piece are you playing now? Knowing that might help people recommend an appropriate facing.

If, for example, you're playing a smaller-chambered piece with a relatively closed facing now, a Link 7* might be difficult to adapt to immediately. (And I know from experience that there's nothing worse than playing a mouthpiece that you can barely get a sound out of!)

 

[hgiles]

Lots of Links come up for sale in the marketplace that have already been refaced by someone -- EZ, Mojo, Jary, etc. Be patient and wait it out.

I have a 7* Link done by Mojo that I traded a Barone New York for. Sounds line a lopsided trade, eh? And I have to agree, I feel like I got away with murder in that trade!

 

[Frank D]

i never got that whats the 6 and 7 mean i know there facings i just dont know what facings change or do and thanks for the help and my name is dan to lol i just find it funny when i see somebody with the same name as me

I find it curious that you don't know what the numbers mean, but you want a 7*. You definitely need to play before you buy, since you appear to be relatively inexperienced. You should try a number of different mouthpieces, you may not even like how a Link plays or sounds for you.

 

[Giganova]

ok im thinking of getting an Otto Link 7* super tone master for my tenor saxophone

Excellent choice! I have played some of the most expensive mouthpieces over the past years and keep coming back to a stock NY STM 7*.

 

[musicteen098]

What piece are you playing now? Knowing that might help people recommend an appropriate facing.

If, for example, you're playing a smaller-chambered piece with a relatively closed facing now, a Link 7* might be difficult to adapt to immediately. (And I know from experience that there's nothing worse than playing a mouthpiece that you can barely get a sound out of!)

im playing a yamaha 4c and thats all i know about it

 

[musicteen098]

I find it curious that you don't know what the numbers mean, but you want a 7*. You definitely need to play before you buy, since you appear to be relatively inexperienced. You should try a number of different mouthpieces, you may not even like how a Link plays or sounds for you.

no the reason i want a 7* is because i went to a jazz clinic at school and this tenor for the navy jazz band had a great sound and i wanna mimic it and he was using a otto link 7* mouthpiece, and yes i know that someone can play a sax and it sounds completely different when you give the same sax to another guy but i just wanna try to get that sound

 

[maestroelite]

I would go for something more conservative coming from a closed student Yamaha mouthpiece. More like 6-6*, the sound won't really be effected just ease of playing and flexibility of tone. It'll be easier for your chops to adjust to and you'll probably play more in tune.

 

[brucemacdonald]

I made the jump from stock Yamaha piece to an Otto Link 7* via buying a Runyon Spoiler 6 mouthpiece first. But my teacher at the time (although he was very polite about it) didn't like the sound I was making. I wasn't entirely happy with it either so he brought along some spare Otto Links he had in various lays. I tried an 8 and an 8* as well, but it was the 7* that was the easiest to blow. It wasn't easy, but easier than the others. It took time to get used to - allow a week or two of playing every day. (Incidentally I had bought the Runyon after trying out a lot of pieces including an Otto Link metal which I didn't like at all.)

I think that the 7* opening is the sweet spot for the saxophone, neither too narrow nor too wide, but allowing for a lot of power and individuality from the player. My sound used to be fairly light - thin, even - now it's quite husky when I want it to be, certainly thicker than it was years ago.

I say try it.

 

[musicteen098]

thanks

 

[Fred]

As someone else mentioned, there will be a huge difference in your 4C and a 7*. Should you get one, you might find it totally unplayable at first - you need to know that before you make the jump. And you will probably need much softer reeds on the 7* than you are currently using on the 4C - at least at first. I just don't want you to assume that you can put the 7* on with your current reeds and produce a nice jazzy sound - it may not work that way. It's so easy to get disappointed in a new mouthpiece when your first attempts on it fall short of expectations. So if you make the plunge, expect that you will need new reeds and that there will be a learning curve to get adjusted to it. Best of luck to you!

P.S. - It would be a great plan to try some different size STM's and make sure the 7* is where you want to be. Also realize that STM's are fairly inconsistent, so one 7* might play totally different from another 7*.

 

[Nobby Keys]

You could always get a Otto Link STM Tenney Custom Select from Saxquest, these only come in a 7*.

At least you know it will have been 'perfected' and test played, so you should have no problems.

I bought one myself recently, Saxquest provided first class service and I am very pleased with the mpc.

 

[musicteen098]

I'll look in to that thanks

 

[Sigmund451]

You DO NOT need a large tip opening to get a Link sound. Just get the link and practice a lot. Links are not easy to play effectively. Even good ones...even custom ones require considerable air stream control. Do youself a favor and get a small tip opening. Its going to be harder to play well on a link than on your 4C.

Dont fall into the big tip opening ego thing. If you start to do that just remember that Coletrane played a 5 or 5*. For your reference, thats just a little bigger than your 4C. What made him great was talent and 6 hrs of practice a day!