[Rumbabajabba]

Apologies if this is probably brought up all the time.

Currently playing a couple old bergs: Scoop bill SS 100/3 M, and an older (scoop bill?) HR 100/2 m.
They're both good, the SS one is esp nice, with an almost Link sound I guess. They're both a bit on the husky side for me.

In the past I've had Phil-tone, AM, Link FL re-issue, ponzol ebo...
It's probably just me and I should stick with what I have because they're both awesome pieces. But still kind of hungry for the link sound in 8* or so.

 

[Guto]

Sorry, but I'm confused. You say you already experimented a FL re-issue. What is your question exactly?

Incidentally I have one that has been 'cleaned-up' that plays great, just like the one reviewed by Neff a while back, and very close to my vintage Florida. I enjoy playing it very much.

 

[Sigmund451]

FWIW I now make a Tribute Ltd that I think is better than the original plus you can get it in most sizes. The original was generally in 7 star.

 

[Rumbabajabba]

Sorry, but I'm confused. You say you already experimented a FL re-issue. What is your question exactly?

Incidentally I have one that has been 'cleaned-up' that plays great, just like the one reviewed by Neff a while back, and very close to my vintage Florida. I enjoy playing it very much.

Yeah, I had one for a while but was stupid and sold it, I wasn't totally hooked though.
I'd hope to not revisit anything I don't have to. Kind of want something that can provide a little more volume when needed, but isn't overbearing in brightness.

 

[Guto]

Kind of want something that can provide a little more volume when needed, but isn't overbearing in brightness.

The eternal quest of every Link player I know.

I don't know which is higher, the number of Link copy models out there or the number of SOTW threads talking about them. A little bit of research with the Google button here above will take you a long way in your search. Good luck.

 

[whaler]

I’ll say it again. The best way to get a good Link is to keep it in the 6 or 6* range unless you go vintage. The newer ones get tubby quick if they’re too open.

 

[gary27]

I'll say it again. The best way to get a good Link is to keep it in the 6 or 6* range unless you go vintage. The newer ones get tubby quick if they're too open.

There is something to this...I bought a STM New Vintage Tonemaster refaced by Eric Griffenhagen from a member in a 6* or .095 opening. My normal size is a 7* or a 7**. I was very surprised at how well it played. One of the better playing links i have tried. I did notice that i have to push up the Legere reed to match the corners of the mouthpiece, or it can get stuffy & tubby. Long as i put reed on right it plays great....most mouthpieces are a little more forgiving is what i am trying to say.....

 

[Rumbabajabba]

Going to forego metal (the berg is sufficient right now) Found a hookup on a C.E. Winds HR early babbitt blank 7*. It sounds good enough to support my Link habit.

 

[whaler]

Some seem to just like the idea of playing a Link.
Charlatans who put baffles in Links instead of just taking the time to learn how play one.
There’s plenty of high baffle mouthpieces if that’s what you want.

 

[Sebastian]

Some seem to just like the idea of playing a Link.
Charlatans who put baffles in Links instead of just taking the time to learn how play one.
There's plenty of high baffle mouthpieces if that's what you want.

You mean, like Trane ....

 

[whaler]

I’ll still won’t believe that without a photo. I don’t hear that in his sound.
Maybe he messed around with it like most have, but Links are bright enough without that.

 

[Sebastian]

I'll still won't believe that without a photo. I don't hear that in his sound.
Maybe he messed around with it like most have, but Links are bright enough without that.

Ha ha ha, yeah I hear you. Too many guys from back then talking about how much they jammed stuff inside their pieces. If he believed as you did though, he wouldn't have owned nearly as many metal links by the droves in 85's, 93's 95's and 105's. He had hundreds. It's not really fair to espouse the belief that all you need is a small tipped piece. Even you have said you can only play the ones from the 70's that have the most baffle possible in an original Link ie. you like the Link chamber with more baffle than was the case for the previous 20 years.

Listen to guys like Jim Pepper as well. That's a Link with more baffle.

If a guy wants 8* it means they are looking for more body in the sound and less of the focus that you are looking for in your own personal (very beautiful) sound. I enjoy listening to you on youtube but some folks are looking for more spread and more body.

 

[Grumps]

I'll say it again. The best way to get a good Link is to keep it in the 6 or 6* range unless you go vintage. The newer ones get tubby quick if they're too open.

I think even the vintage tenor STM's had a sweet spot; between 5 and 7*. When I was in the market for a vintage STM in the 9-10 range, I never found one that played better than my Florida 5. There are just way better makers out there today who craft more open tipped mouthpieces than Link ever did.

 

[Rumbabajabba]

I';ll still won';t believe that without a photo. I don';t hear that in his sound.
Maybe he messed around with it like most have, but Links are bright enough without that.

Ha ha ha, yeah I hear you. Too many guys from back then talking about how much they jammed stuff inside their pieces. If he believed as you did though, he wouldn't have owned nearly as many metal links by the droves in 85's, 93's 95's and 105's. He had hundreds. It's not really fair to espouse the belief that all you need is a small tipped piece. Even you have said you can only play the ones from the 70's that have the most baffle possible in an original Link ie. you like the Link chamber with more baffle than was the case for the previous 20 years.

Listen to guys like Jim Pepper as well. That's a Link with more baffle.

If a guy wants 8* it means they are looking for more body in the sound and less of the focus that you are looking for in your own personal (very beautiful) sound. I enjoy listening to you on youtube but some folks are looking for more spread and more body.

Makes sense. I've had and played some more open links that were only "bigger" sounding than the closer ones.
I keep thinking about Wayne's sound which is sort of similar but maybe a bit brighter, slightly more core than Trane's. From what info there is on the internet it seems he played bigger tips (8 up to 11!?). Maybe he used a stiffer reed? Of course it's Wayne...

 

[rubyxxx]

Some seem to just like the idea of playing a Link.
Charlatans who put baffles in Links instead of just taking the time to learn how play one.
There's plenty of high baffle mouthpieces if that's what you want.

Ernie Watts has baffle (he calls it wedge) installed in his in Link(s) by @Phil Barone.
I heard this from his (Ernie) mouth, but I haven't seen the mpc. inside, so I do not know how it looks like exactly.
His FL Links (three pieces) are from late 60ties faced to .160 by Ben Harrod.