[Roger Nordling]

I am a Otto Link guy and recently I have been in a mouthpiece testing phase. I have played metal mouthpieces on tenor always. A few days ago I received this TE from SOTW member Vendela. I have played it for a few days and still exploring its capability. The STM florida link, I have had a month or so. I like both of them, the STM is more resistant and has more edge and more focused sound, still with lots of depth and richness. The TE is very freeblowing with lots of guts. SPREAD! Very responsive and subtones great. Comments are welcome (dont bother to comment the gurgle, I were a bit lazy while playing).

My setup on the recordings is Selmer mark VI 226xxx and RJS 3M reed. Unfortunately not the same reed used on recordings (recorded about a month apart). No EQ, no effect, no compression.

Otto Link TE Tenor Madness Custom EB 7*

Otto Link STM Florida 8

 

[magical pig]

I believe that TMEB was originally mine. It was a great mouthpiece. I much prefer you on it than on the Florida Link, especially on that tune and the way you play it. That said, some FL can be quite bright.

I have played a 7, 7* and 8 tip opening of these models and they all played great. The 8 was a little darker than the other ones, the 7* was kind of the best of both worlds and the 7 was more focused with less edge (but some brightness).

 

[Roger Nordling]

Thanks for reply. I have been wondering how this TE was acting compared to other TE. I do not have experience with TE before, only stm. The stm is smoother but not as meaty in comparison.

 

[Nefertiti]

I really like the TM. You sound more comfortable on it and the sound is fuller and more meaty like you say.

 

[magical pig]

Thanks for reply. I have been wondering how this TE was acting compared to other TE. I do not have experience with TE before, only stm. The stm is smoother but not as meaty in comparison.

These TE's have smaller chamber and inner side walls than an STM so they usually sound more focused initially. It's possible to bring some "meat" back into the STM if you blow it differently (more focused airstream - but that's a vague term). You clearly have enough chops to do so. IMO these TMEB's are very versatile. It's harder for me to be loud enough for rock gigs on my STM than it was on this EB - but I much prefer the response and tone.

 

[saxguy1953]

Roger-
What piece did you play Sugar on? You sounded great on that. (on the VI) Was it this Florida STM 8?
On both these samples you are getting "your sound". Which one do you prefer from the perspective of being behind the horn?
I think you sounded good on both these takes but played better on the TMEB take. It such a mindf#$! isn't it?

MP- are you saying you prefer the response on your own STM or the EB? I am confused by your statement.

 

[magical pig]

MP- are you saying you prefer the response on your own STM or the EB? I am confused by your statement.

On the STM, sorry about the confusion. But it's a Florida double line exquisitely restored by Marin Spivack so it's almost an unfair comparison. These TMEB's definitely have been my favorite rubber pieces so far. They have a great sound and response, and most important have that Link "resonance", almost sustain-like, most other copies don't.

 

[Saxlicker]

Another vote for the TMEB from those 2 recordings.

 

[Roger Nordling]

Roger-
What piece did you play Sugar on? You sounded great on that. (on the VI) Was it this Florida STM 8?
On both these samples you are getting "your sound". Which one do you prefer from the perspective of being behind the horn?
I think you sounded good on both these takes but played better on the TMEB take. It such a mindf#$! isn't it?

MP- are you saying you prefer the response on your own STM or the EB? I am confused by your statement.

Thanks for your comments. You know, on sugar i played a stock modern 7*STM that is no more....i mean, I got tired of the brightness and thin sound up top with it so I grabbed the sand paper...Yes, i ruined it. Now its too dark and stuffy.

I feel that the TE is so much more rewarding and responsive compared tothe florida. I feel that I can focus more on the music than on struggling with getting the notes speaking so thats may be why I played better on it? Also, the recording with the STM florida was not meant to be public, just noodling to check out the sound for my self. The TE is a really great mouthpiece and can be my do it all mouthpiece. have to give it some more time, only had it for a week now. The florida is also great with a smooth tone and I like the resistance when blowing it. The TE is just a little too freeblowing and I do not get the attacks I want from it due to this. You cant have it all can you?

 

[mrpeebee]

You sound very good on both, but I found in these clips the EB TE better. The STM FL seems to have some facing issue, your lower notes didn't speak well. I have some FL STM's (with bigger tips) that don't have that issue at all. Maybe you should let it check by a refacer (Brian Powell is great) if you want to explore the full capabilities of it (like MP did with his FL Double Ring).