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Since upgrading from my old Winston soprano to an Antigua 590, I've really had a time finding a mouthpiece that I really like on the Antigua. After trying many different pieces included the Selmer SS, I think I am beginning to setting in on a good ol' Link STM #7.
When I first got the Link, I really didn't like the sound. The piece was just too bright. This is the same issue I had with the Selmer SS. However, the response of the Link was awesome up and down the horn. After working with the piece for over a month, I think I am finally beginning to find the tone I want.
I really like the sound of several of the larger chambered pieces I have tried but the resistance is always too much for comfort. Also, when I record myself or I let my son play, the tone of the large chambered pieces is just not as good as it sounds to me in my head when I'm playing them. On the other hand, the Link STM seems to give better clarity similar to the Selmer SS but with more complexity and timbre. Plus, with time and practice, I seem to be able to balance the timbre and brightness into a better mix that sounds more like a sax and less like a trumpet or snake charmer. I've considered sending the Link to EZ to see if he can darken it a little. But the more I play it, the darker it seems to become.
So I think I am ready to start performing with the Link setup. Response and tone are solid from the bottom all the way up through the palm keys. And the sound is fairly close to what I think I should sound like. I hope that telling my experience might help some you that are still searching for that darker soprano mouthpiece. It just takes lots of experimentation and practice to get there.
When I first got the Link, I really didn't like the sound. The piece was just too bright. This is the same issue I had with the Selmer SS. However, the response of the Link was awesome up and down the horn. After working with the piece for over a month, I think I am finally beginning to find the tone I want.
I really like the sound of several of the larger chambered pieces I have tried but the resistance is always too much for comfort. Also, when I record myself or I let my son play, the tone of the large chambered pieces is just not as good as it sounds to me in my head when I'm playing them. On the other hand, the Link STM seems to give better clarity similar to the Selmer SS but with more complexity and timbre. Plus, with time and practice, I seem to be able to balance the timbre and brightness into a better mix that sounds more like a sax and less like a trumpet or snake charmer. I've considered sending the Link to EZ to see if he can darken it a little. But the more I play it, the darker it seems to become.
So I think I am ready to start performing with the Link setup. Response and tone are solid from the bottom all the way up through the palm keys. And the sound is fairly close to what I think I should sound like. I hope that telling my experience might help some you that are still searching for that darker soprano mouthpiece. It just takes lots of experimentation and practice to get there.