[leehwd]

I wanted to buy one, but I was told it was in production and the next batch will come toward the end of this year. So I am on the waiting list, but I ran into this post: http://forum.saxontheweb.net/showth...nor-Madness)&p=1790526&viewfull=1#post1790526.

If the TMEB is inconsistent in its quality, I don't know what I have to do. Will this be a true hit or miss? Any experience from those who have tried/used this piece?

 

[Nefertiti]

The two I tried were great. The tips didn't match the shape of the reed exactly but they played very well as I remember.

 

[leehwd]

The two I tried were great. The tips didn't match the shape of the reed exactly but they played very well as I remember.

Thank you, Steve. That's reassuring.

All - any other experiences?

 

[DexterS123]

I don't understand the buzz about these pieces. They don't sound to me like Early Babbits, their voice is too high or something. Not sure how to say it best. An Early Babbit has a deeper voice, much more low end in the tone.

 

[phannah]

I don't understand the buzz about these pieces. They don't sound to me like Early Babbits, their voice is too high or something. Not sure how to say it best. An Early Babbit has a deeper voice, much more low end in the tone.

I've been trying to figure it out... it definitely is a brighter piece for me. it has great projection but I still have not figured it out.... Lately, i've been going through the mpc shuffle and I keep coming back to the TM EB mpc. It really does have some great qualities to it. I have lately found that a harder reed (3 maybe a 3 1/2) seem to make this puppy sing... if you have the air!!

 

[Roger Nordling]

I love my TMEB piece. It is medium bright and full sounding. Super fast response. Tuning is great. Played here:

www.rnmusik.se/allofme_pmauriat66r.mp3

 

[Horned Toad]

I have had some of these through my shop. They are their own thing in terms of Otto Links, but the design, the shape internally is not really similar to an EB where it counts. Maybe the next batch will be different. Facing does count though and the ones I saw were bad, in a prohibitive way for playing. Now, to be fair, so are most original EB's I've seen so....

 

[Nefertiti]

Well, played about 7 EB HR links that I can remember and 2 new EB links. The new ones played just as well for me as the original 7 EB's I have played. That being said, I usually find EB links to be too bright for my tastes. I ended up selling all the EB links and the new EB link I had. They have a certain type of sound to them. I still have my large font EB but I consider that more of a slant since it was made from the same mold and I have never seen another EB like it in the last 8 years. Also, every EB I have had has been refaced either by the previous owner or by me so I'm not sure what that says about the original EB pieces.

 

[Horned Toad]

...Also, every EB I have had has been refaced either by the previous owner or by me so I'm not sure what that says about the original EB pieces.

I think it says that they really suck off the shelf.
I have had, played and sold a number of pretty 'desirable' EB HR Links, and without exception, every single one of them has sucked, heartily with it's original setup, just awful. Now, I have also setup a number of them myself, for clients, and for myself, and pretty much all of those were outstanding mouthpieces. I recently got an original from another forum member, and it as well was w tub of garbage until I set it up, now it is my main piece.

As far as I see it, EB HR Links offer an extremely good blank to setup in the right hands, better than a lot of others, but they were not made playing like that. Every time I measure an EB HR original facing I am simply shocked. The Metals, for some reason are quite a bit better originals. The same is true for most slant Links as well, after the table stamp period. Mostly, and it is strange, it's just facing curves and tip finishes that no one could get a great feeling out of. Who knows what they were thinking.

 

[Nefertiti]

I think it says that they really suck off the shelf.
I have had, played and sold a number of pretty 'desirable' EB HR Links, and without exception, every single one of them has sucked, heartily with it's original setup, just awful. Now, I have also setup a number of them myself, for clients, and for myself, and pretty much all of those were outstanding mouthpieces. I recently got an original from another forum member, and it as well was w tub of garbage until I set it up, now it is my main piece.

As far as I see it, EB HR Links offer an extremely good blank to setup in the right hands, better than a lot of others, but they were not made playing like that. Every time I measure an EB HR original facing I am simply shocked. The Metals, for some reason are quite a bit better originals. The same is true for most slant Links as well, after the table stamp period. Mostly, and it is strange, it's just facing curves and tip finishes that no one could get a great feeling out of. Who knows what they were thinking.

Ah........that explains it. It makes it a bit ironic that everyone is copying them doesn't it?

 

[Horned Toad]

Ah........that explains it. It makes it a bit ironic that everyone is copying them doesn't it?

Ironic, yes, but it would not be the first case would it.

It's called hype, and it works. The thing is, as far as a hard rubber Link style piece, the EB if set up really well, is extremely good, but SETUP is the key word. As far as I am concerned, the EB HR Link is nothing but a blank, a blank slate until set up. It's one of the really good Link HR blanks that can be found, but there is a big difference between a blank and a functional mouthpiece.

I am just surprised that people pay so much for them, imagining they will play well without spending more on them. I think in many cases people think that the fairly crappy, stuffy, and unclear response they provide is how Link mouthpieces are supposed to play. I know in some cases, crappy and stuffy actually equals "dark" or "full of character" to some people... To me is just a paperweight.

 

[saxyjare01]

My main piece is a HR EB .100 tip. It was worked on by Norbert Stachel and I haven't found anything that can out play it overall. I have one of the TM's in a 7*. The quality is great. It has a close playability to the EB's that I've encountered, but it's apples and oranges with the piece I have since the EB is much brighter and more open. I would just say that if you find a good mouthpiece that really works for you, play the damn thing. It shouldn't matter if it's vintage or not. I tend to like the older rubber pieces, but I know guys who'll only buy newer mouthpieces and have them refaced. Really enjoying the convos on SOTW, guys. Thanks.

 

[Saxlicker]

I have never played a mouthpiece that is signed by a refacer so I really can't comment on the pluses. I do understand these guys can rescue a piece in bad shape and that pieces will wear/deform with age & plenty of use and could use some realignment.

30 or so Tenor pieces have been through my hands, 6 baritone pieces and about 12 alto pieces.
Over half of these were new, some hand made (Guardala, RPC, GW, Pillinger) and two that had limited clean up work by previous owners.
It may be that I just don't pick up on bad work or I may have been lucky. I don't see the magic, in 20 years all but 2 (new) pieces have played for me. I had a terrible modern stainless berg duckbill and a poor Tone Edge.
I can hear and feel the difference in pieces off the shelf from the same manufacturer with identical facings and chambers written on them though but it's largely controllable and they play.
I currently have 2 TM EB tone edges and they play well. Tonally I can't compare them to old ones having never owned the true vintage but I get the impression they are inherently brighter. Stick with them and you can overcome that bringing it out at your leisure. Link Chops?

So to sum up its such a small percentage of duff ones, most people should be OK?
My hand made ones don't blow away the factory finished ones.
I don't believe stock pieces are generally terrible, I believe they vary too much.

Now just give me a minute while I run for cover :innocent02:

 

[marcusb]

I love my TMEB piece. It is medium bright and full sounding. Super fast response. Tuning is great. Played here:

www.rnmusik.se/allofme_pmauriat66r.mp3

Great playing! and great sound!
Greetz

 

[Horned Toad]

That's a funny thing, that idea of 'Link chops'.
I've played Links for many years, and while they require a kind of different method than Bergs for example, it is really more of offering a different possibility. I don't think it is really 'harder', just different.
The Link chops thing, probably means a special technique to overblow or keep in control a mouthpiece that has too much resistance on the curve, imprecision on the tip, or leaks on the table. That does take a special skill.

 

[Nefertiti]

Most guys with Link chops don't have Berg chops...........not to mention Guardala chops. I think it takes time and focus to get a great sound on any mouthpiece. One isn't harder than another in my opinion. I go back and forth between the mouthpieces I have and it's always rough at first until I get used to it.

 

[bstrom]

I got an TMEB piece. Way to bright and harsh for me. I play a Mouthpiece Cafe Slant Supreme which for me is vastly superior. But I was looking for something a bit more open and this TMEB measured .112. I sent the TMEB out to be refaced and still have not gotten it back. What a waste of time and money. The guy doing it (he's good and well known here)told me the facing is fairly screwed up curve wise. Not very symmetrical. Good luck, maybe the new ones will be better. I should have waited. I'm almost done with mouthpieces.

 

[leehwd]

I got an TMEB piece. Way to bright and harsh for me. I play a Mouthpiece Cafe Slant Supreme which for me is vastly superior. But I was looking for something a bit more open and this TMEB measured .112. I sent the TMEB out to be refaced and still have not gotten it back. What a waste of time and money. The guy doing it (he's good and well known here)told me the facing is fairly screwed up curve wise. Not very symmetrical. Good luck, maybe the new ones will be better. I should have waited. I'm almost done with mouthpieces.

I am sorry for your unhappy experience. I am getting more inclined not to pursue this mouthpiece search. Thank you for your information by the way.

 

[BOPITY FUNK]

I am sorry for your unhappy experience. I am getting more inclined not to pursue this mouthpiece search. Thank you for your information by the way.

Good for you--it will drive you nuts! Get a Phil-Tone or EZ piece--or similar and stick with it--at least you will know the geometry is correct. These guy's will get it right for you at a moderate cost.

 

[ricanna]

Most guys with Link chops don't have Berg chops...........not to mention Guardala chops. I think it takes time and focus to get a great sound on any mouthpiece. One isn't harder than another in my opinion. I go back and forth between the mouthpieces I have and it's always rough at first until I get used to it.

Blimey, the only 3 tenor mpcs I have are a Link, a Berg and a Guardala. Was wondering why I can't sound good on more than one of them at the same time. :faceinpalm: Thanks for your information! :mrgreen: