[qwertyuiop]

I was looking into buying a mouthpiece, an Otto Link Metal New York Series Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece.

I am currently playing on a "Selmer S 80 Cstar" mouthpiece. I also use a "Vandoren Java 3 1/2" reed. What level hardness should i order? e.g. 6star, 8star, 9, 10, etc.

I want one that i can use for a long time, NOT a mouthpiece where i buy it, have to use 4 or 5 hardness reeds, and then buy a new one. Any ideas?

http://www.wwbw.com/Otto-Link-Metal-New-York-Series-Tenor-Saxophone-Mouthpiece-467226-i1419263.wwbw

 

[Enviroguy]

The standard size for the Link STM is the 7-star. That seems to fit many players and provides good proportions on the mouthpiece. Links have tenancy to be a little hard to play at first until you get used to them. So if the 7-star seems a little big at first, don't worry. After a week or two of practice, it will probably begin to feel just right. They call that "getting you Link-chops". This size is so popular that the limit-edition Millennium STM only comes in the 7-star.

And welcome to STOW.

 

[JL]

I also use a "Vandoren Java 3 1/2" reed. What level hardness should i order? e.g. 6star, 8star, 9, 10, etc.

I want one that i can use for a long time, NOT a mouthpiece where i buy it, have to use 4 or 5 hardness reeds, and then buy a new one. Any ideas?

http://www.wwbw.com/Otto-Link-Metal-New-York-Series-Tenor-Saxophone-Mouthpiece-467226-i1419263.wwbw

3 1/2 is already a hard reed. What makes you think you'd need to go to an even harder reed? I think if you get a more open mpc like a tip size 7 or 7* Link (those are good tip sizes for a Link), you might even want to go to a slightly softer reed (3 or 2.5)--I know I would. I certainly wouldn't go to a harder reed.

 

[bruce bailey]

That 7* would be like using a Selmer H! You are jumping from a mouthpiece that is very closed by tenor standards to one that is a medium open. I agree that the theory is more open mouthpiece, softer reed. You really need to try some facings first. Here is a chart (lots on the internet) that will give you an idea of comparisons:
http://www.jodyjazz.com/facings.tenorsax.html

 

[qwertyuiop]

thanks guys this should help a lot