Some band directors in the past got it in their head there was a difference in the way these two materials project and sound.

Most importantly the metal feels different as it has a slimmer profile. If you take more mouthpiece in your mouth, and you should, the metal can actually make it easier to get your bottom lip to the place where your reed can vibrate at its maximum. And of course there's less stress and strain on your chops because you're not clamping down on the reed trying to close down a large tip.

At the end of the day you tried out the mpcs and you chose what works best for you. That's the best way to chose what you use. I wouldn't let someone else's bias affect what you play.

Also typically when it comes to getting a good sound, smaller tips are usually less problematic when it comes to Babbitt. I recently picked up some more NY STMs in small tips and I dig the way they play. I've found as the tip sizes increase you run into more problems with stuffy sounding pieces. I don't know if I agree with the commonly assumed tip size as being 7* when it comes to a STM or NY STM. I've found great players in the 5, 5* and 6 range that out play the bigger tips.

 

I use an STM 6* and I love it too. I too have found that metal mouthpieces tend to be much more free-blowing, which is a quality I like in my mouthpieces. The only issue you may have with the 5* is projecting. I still have some volume problems with my 6*. The more open the mouthpiece, the louder you can play, but the drawback is that it's harder to play quieter and lower. I'll be the reason the STM isn't recommended is because it's a jazz mouthpiece. A lot of people start learning saxophone in school, and until high school (and middle school in some cases) most of the music played is classical. In addition I think cost is probably a factor. $175 is a lot to pay for a mouthpiece if you're just starting out on an instrument.

 

The only issue you may have with the 5* is projecting. I still have some volume problems with my 6*. The more open the mouthpiece, the louder you can play, but the drawback is that it's harder to play quieter and lower.

$175 is a lot to pay for a mouthpiece if you're just starting out on an instrument.

Actually you can buy STM or NY for $120 new.

The other problem is the common assumption that larger tips translate into more volume.

This is sort of like the volume knob on your amp. 1-5 is loud, but 6-10 isn't twice as loud.

There are players that use .085 tips and smaller that really project and others that use .125 or larger and don't project very well at all. It's more a matter of the player. A lot of the legendary players used modest tips, don't be suprised by how many of them used 5* and 6. If you go way back to Hawkins and Webster you find guys that were playing on even smaller tips.

A player needs to ask themselves what their most comfortable playing on, not what some player that they admire uses. Lots of greats have used 10* Links, but if that set up holds you back it's better to look at it objectivily and go with what works for you.

 

Thanks for the replies guys!

Its interesting though since my instructor (I'm taking private lessons) told me to shy away from metal pieces until I was at an advanced level. My entire training is jazz focused so I found that to be a bit strange. In any event, I didn't listen to him and I tried everything I could get my hands on. The Link STM 5* is by far easier to play than all the recommended beginner pieces! I used a Rico Select Jazz 2.5 reed to go along with it. No squeaks, no issues with biting, heck I catch myself biting more on the Jody Jazz HR* than this piece.

As for the price being too high, I dunno man. The amount of effort and struggle I had to put up with in my cheaper plastic mouthpiece, and the value over JJ HR*, I'd say this piece is well worth the money. If it makes u wanna play more, a buck and a half really isn't too bad.

I'm just hoping somebody who is not looking at metal as an option reads this and does consider trying a few pieces out.

 

I just started on tenor 3-4 months ago and I am using a STM 5* as well, it is a great piece, but I can't get too much volume with the piece, well for me (74' Mark VI very dark). It is a tad little stuffy as well, but I might get it reworked.

 

Don't get it reworked. Try some different reeds.

My 5* NY Link plays with plenty of volume. I haven't noticed my larger tipped .105 NY playing with anymore volume then the 5*.

I'm using these pieces on a Ref 54.

 

Yeah, i have a STM 5* as well and can play it both loud and soft. I use Rico Jazz Select 2.5s..

 

I prefer a harder reed on my 5*. I'm using a 4S unfiled Rico Jazz Select.

 

Why would someone NOT recommend an STM for a beginner?

 

They're bad band mouthpieces for one thing, and most people start by playing in a wind band. (If you want to play a Link in band, a Tone Edge is a much better piece.) Second, I'm not convinced that playing a metal piece with its smaller beak is the best thing for developing a good embrouchure.

Those two small bits aside, they're pretty good pieces.

 

I'm not convinced that playing with any specific beak size is good for developing a good embrochure.

You can take more mouthpiece in with a smaller metal beak, you can get to that sweet spot easier by taking more mouthpiece in your mouth opening up your oral cavity and letting that horn sing and the altissimo.

I've got tons of mouthpieces now in rubber, vintage rubber, modern rubber, and lots of metal pieces as well. Comfort is important whether it be rubber or metal. As far as tradition, a NY metal Link has a large round chamber the only difference is the beak size and the fact that it's made of metal. The Tone Edge has a bigger beak(bigger than the slant or EB) that doesn't work for everyone, but I've played them in the past.

 

It won't affect your ability to form a proper embrochure. Countless jazz legends that have the most gorgeous tone have played on metal.

There are even a number of great classical saxophonist that have used metal.

Mind you we're not talking about a high baffle piece with an ultra small low profile beak. We're talking about the otto link STM profile and the slightly wider NY profile.

Some beaks do indeed tax your embrochure a whole lot more. Some mouthpieces have beaks that feel like you've got a corn cob stuck in your mouth.