Mouthpieces Otto Link STM

[Andante cantabile]

I recently bought an Otto Link STM 6* almost on the spur of the moment. I couldn't really see anything wrong with my usual mouthpiece (a Vandoren T35), but I went ahead anyway. I am glad I did. The STM seems more responsive (pp is very easy, and it seems to give me a fuller tone at both ends of the scale. Maybe it is all due to the slightly larger tip opening, but I am pleased with my purchase.

 

[koumou]

It's a good feeling when the mouthpiece responds and plays well. What reeds are you using with it?

 

[Andante cantabile]

I use a Standard Legere #2. I'll try a 2 1/4 next.

 

[B Flat]

Good stuff.
Sometimes the Links take some getting used to after other pieces.
Looks like it's not the case for you.
I keep coming back to my Link STM eventually.

 

[TomMapfumo]

A Vandoren what T35? I assume a V5. Having followed discussion regarding Phil-Tones new Sapphire mouthpiece Phil's view is that the best sound on a Link STM/Tone Edge is 6* or 7, and that larger tip openings have less positive results, soundwise - here is a quote from a thread on SOTW entitled "Phil-Tone Sapphire Passaround"

Default Re: *Phil-Tone Sapphire Passaround*

"The passaround will be a seven. I don't want to open a can of worms here but I have always felt links really change character after six star or seven. I feel they loose something. When ordered they are all custom made so different tip sizes are available."

http://forum.saxontheweb.net/showthread.php?199197-*Phil-Tone-Sapphire-Passaround*

I'm glad that your sound is more to your satisfaction!

 

[jonf]

Personally I find Links with smaller tip openings a bit stuffy. Mine is a 10 with a custom baffle, and it works great with a softer reed. Very flexible.

 

[TomMapfumo]

I guess it all depends on whether they have been corrected by some mouthpiece craftsmen. Phil has worked on hundreds of the beasts, and Morgan Fry must have Floridated quite a few, so any professional opinions are more than welcome.

 

[Kingsleyhk]

I have a 5* which pays beautifully on my Selmer Tenor. I've had it for about twenty years and I have gone round and round with mouthpieces and always come back to the Link. If they it was good enough for Ben Webster, I'll try to persevere with it.

 

[TomMapfumo]

Ben Webster would have had a much higher quality STM than the ones currently produced, though you sound as if you've been lucky!

 

[Kingsleyhk]

I've had a look at a few modern ones and know what you mean - I saw one soprano that was a joke. My tenor one is 20+ years old - so I'm not sure if it's a "good" one or not. It works for me!

 

[jonf]

I guess it all depends on whether they have been corrected by some mouthpiece craftsmen. Phil has worked on hundreds of the beasts, and Morgan Fry must have Floridated quite a few, so any professional opinions are more than welcome.

My comment was really more a reflection on the nature of personal preferance than anything - everyone's different. My Link has had the table flattened and the rails evened out, so it was obviously a fair way off ideal from the factory. Now it suits me just great. I have in the past owned a Morgan Floridated Link, and although it was pretty good, for me at wasn't as good as the modified 10. That's not a reflection on Morgan's work, just on my preferences.

 

[mrpeebee]

Having followed discussion regarding Phil-Tones new Sapphire mouthpiece Phil's view is that the best sound on a Link STM/Tone Edge is 6* or 7, and that larger tip openings have less positive results, soundwise - here is a quote from a thread on SOTW entitled "Phil-Tone Sapphire Passaround"

Default Re: *Phil-Tone Sapphire Passaround*

"The passaround will be a seven. I don't want to open a can of worms here but I have always felt links really change character after six star or seven. I feel they loose something. When ordered they are all custom made so different tip sizes are available."

I also saw that comment of Phil on SOTW and don't agree at all. I think it's a very personal thing, some people are better on small or medium tip mpc's and others prefer big to very big (me). What I do know (I own all kind of modern and vintage Otto Link's from a Double Ring tip 4* to a 70's Early Babbit 12) is that for me the bigger tips give me much more dynamics in volume and more complexity in tone compare to the smaller tips (they close down for me, can't handle all the air I like to put in). The downside of big tips is intonation, controle and being less reed friendly.

In the end a player should choose the tip that fits his personal way of playing the best with the least effort required .

 

[mrpeebee]

Ben Webster would have had a much higher quality STM than the ones currently produced, though you sound as if you've been lucky!

I'm not sure about that, but he sounded great . I own a lot of vintage and modern Link's and know they can all have quality issues, independend of the area.

Ben played on an old 1930's Master Link which was refaced to about an 8-8* tip. In the end it's the player that makes the quality, but a good mouthpiece helps a lot of course.

I'm glad the OP found a good modern one and is happy with it

 

[saxismyaxe]

I don't agree with the smaller tip opening comments either. I've found that Link STMs don't fully open up and shine until you get to 8 (.110) and larger. For me, the 8* is the magic number.

 

[Jamesmac]

I don't agree with the smaller tip opening comments either. I've found that Link STMs don't fully open up and shine until you get to 8 (.110) and larger. For me, the 8* is the magic number.

Well i hope you dont teach, and force students to play a mouthpiece that suits you.I know from experience that one size wont fit all.

 

[saxismyaxe]

Well i hope you dont teach, and force students to play a mouthpiece that suits you.I know from experience that one size wont fit all.

No I don't, and have little desire to do so either thank you. I'm talking about getting the most out of the STM for the advanced horn player and not aiding the neophyte student, who really shouldn't be learning on that model mouthpiece to begin with.

 

[jonf]

Well i hope you dont teach, and force students to play a mouthpiece that suits you.I know from experience that one size wont fit all.

As I read it, that's precisely what Mike's saying. He prefers an 8*, for him, and he doesn't buy the line that only narrower Links work. That's my view as well, as I set out in my earlier post. I wouldn't expect any other player to like my modded Link 10, a would never expect a learner to play it. What I'd expect, with any mouthpiece, is that the player should play what they feel comfortable with. I think there is sensible guidance which can be given (such as not starting with too narrow a tip opening - the myth that "all learners MUST begin on a Yanmaha 4c") but that's as far as I would ever go.

Jon

 

[Andante cantabile]

Yes, the Vandoren is a V5 T35. I have wondered what it would be like to play with a wider tip opening, and perhaps one day I will try one. So many people seem to be happy with 7 or 7*. I have a Phil Barone HR *7 that I find hard work, though I have no complaints about the way it sounds. But what I have discovered over the years is that a tip opening in the range of the T35/Otto Link STM 6* suits me just fine. I also like fairly soft reeds. BTW, maybe I was lucky with my STM, but it really seems to be all right.

 

[Jamesmac]

Yes, the Vandoren is a V5 T35. I have wondered what it would be like to play with a wider tip opening, and perhaps one day I will try one. So many people seem to be happy with 7 or 7*. I have a Phil Barone HR *7 that I find hard work, though I have no complaints about the way it sounds. But what I have discovered over the years is that a tip opening in the range of the T35/Otto Link STM 6* suits me just fine. I also like fairly soft reeds. BTW, maybe I was lucky with my STM, but it really seems to be all right.

When you try new MPs, with the tip its also necessary to take into account, the facing curve, and the facing length. because all these factors affect each other. Theres no point talking about one without the other. And as a side note dont ever listen to somebody who tells you what MP is best for you. You need to find that out for yourself.