Mouthpieces Tenor - New Otto Link Slant Signature HR vs. Vandoren HR V16

[Marcio Arujo]

Tenor - New Otto Link Slant Signature HR vs. Vandoren HR V16

Has anyone compared these two? How different/similar are they?

 

[TomMapfumo]

Hi Marcio!

I've not tried the Otto Link, but did try the Vandoren HR V16 T8, which I compared with a Francois Louis Spectruoso ML T280, eventually choosing the latter. The V16 had an excellent sound, but just too bright for my Yani T901 sax - it had life and quite a dynamic sound. I have tried Otto Link Tenor RG HR, Gold & Silver, Tenor STM, and NY, and have not really been satisfied with any of these - do have a look at the Phil-Tone website for OL custom made pieces.

Kind regards
Tom

 

[TomMapfumo]

If you mean the new Link "Vintage" HR www.sax.co.uk have a review of it on their website, if you follow the links starting at "mouthpieces".

Regards
Tom

 

[Two Voices]

If you mean the new Link "Vintage" HR www.sax.co.uk have a review of it on their website, if you follow the links starting at "mouthpieces".

Regards
Tom

I'm looking to get the Vintage 7* but couldn't see the review that you refer to on the site. I found the mouthpiece and the comment made next to it but thats all. Could you post a link?

I'm thinking of keeping the lay relatively small due to the huge chamber. A 7* (.105) should be small enough. I've tried a New York Version in a #10 and that was too big for me but the 8* was okay. Hope my maths work out as I haven't tried the Vintage!

Hoping the Vintage with a 92 neck on the T901 will help me get the sound of those jazz players I like such as John Coltrane and Sonny Rollins.

Its either that or going for a Lawton.

EDIT: I should state that I am referring to the Metal Mouthpieces not the Hard Rubber Ones

 

[Andrew Sanders]

Hoping the Vintage with a 92 neck on the T901 will help me get the sound of those jazz players I like such as John Coltrane and Sonny Rollins.

Its either that or going for a Lawton.

You're really going to have to control your GAS Paul or you'll end up bankrupt!
Don't forget it's the player that makes the sound, not the gear.

 

[TomMapfumo]

As far as I am aware the mouthpiece you refer to is a hard rubber one - the "review" I referred to is just the brief comment. To echo Andrews point sound is produced through practice, not mouthpiece, so be prepared to spend lots of money if you want to find a quick fix.

Kind regards
Tom

Just to add that Coltrane used a metal Link STM 5 opening with Rico 4 reeds - narrow opening and hard reeds.

 

[TomMapfumo]

Hi Paul!

There are 2 new "Vintage" Link tenor mouthpieces - the "Slant" refers to the HR, but there is a metal one as you say (£285 at www.sax.co.uk) I notice that there are some online comments via Google, mostly USA based which seem to highlight that it is the best one produced by the company J.J.Babbitt in "20 years", but they are not available in a 5 opening.
Given the nature of Coltrane's sound I would not think that a 92 neck would be as good as the original on the T901 - too warm IMO.

Kind regards
Tom

 

[Jules]

very quick contribution- link ebonite vinage pieces & V16s are actually pretty similar from my experiences... the V16s very slightly brighter and also seem to be better finished but there's not a huge amount to choose between 'em. full reviews available when i get some free time (fat chance!)

 

[Two Voices]

You're really going to have to control your GAS Paul or you'll end up bankrupt!
Don't forget it's the player that makes the sound, not the gear.

I'm trying to control that GAS 😀 I've resisted the temptation of those reduced Yanagisawa Metal Mouthpieces!

I agree that its the player that makes the sound but changing the neck and mouthpiece alters the sound too.

 

[Two Voices]

As far as I am aware the mouthpiece you refer to is a hard rubber one - the "review" I referred to is just the brief comment. To echo Andrews point sound is produced through practice, not mouthpiece, so be prepared to spend lots of money if you want to find a quick fix.

Kind regards
Tom

Just to add that Coltrane used a metal Link STM 5 opening with Rico 4 reeds - narrow opening and hard reeds.

Its not a quick fix I'm looking for. I suppose I'm just experimenting with various things at the moment to settle on something I like! I haven't got a metal mouthpiece yet and have been fortunate to have borrowed a few to try out from some friends. Thats helping the GAS 😀

I have tried a SMT in a #6 and found it too stuffy for my liking. Interesting to know what Coltrane uses. I know the Rollins uses either a to Link & Berg-Larsen with Rigotti Reeds but couldn't tell yu the opening nor the reed strength.

 

[Two Voices]

Hi Paul!

There are 2 new "Vintage" Link tenor mouthpieces - the "Slant" refers to the HR, but there is a metal one as you say (£285 at www.sax.co.uk) I notice that there are some online comments via Google, mostly USA based which seem to highlight that it is the best one produced by the company J.J.Babbitt in "20 years", but they are not available in a 5 opening.
Given the nature of Coltrane's sound I would not think that a 92 neck would be as good as the original on the T901 - too warm IMO.

Kind regards
Tom

I agree it might be too warm for a Coltrane sound. I like the original neck and intend to mix them up a bit.

I have been listening to various players lately and like some of these warm vintage sounds and I'm trying to find that - I borrowed a 92 neck from a friend and loved it! But I need a mouthpiece to match it. He was using the New York #10 but I struggled with that.

I'm hoping to get the neck and mouthpiece together and ask for a discount ;}

 

[Two Voices]

very quick contribution- link ebonite vinage pieces & V16s are actually pretty similar from my experiences... the V16s very slightly brighter and also seem to be better finished but there's not a huge amount to choose between 'em. full reviews available when i get some free time (fat chance!)

Interesting! Would you say the same could be said about the metal mouthpieces?

I tried a V16 T55 but struggled with it a bit.

 

[U CAN CALL ME AL]

I have used a 'new vintage' otto link 6* four about 5 months. When practising it is my mp of choice as i mostly play ballads it has a huge warm pervasive sound. I usually use it for lessons with my classically biased teacher. However for worshops etc. I revert back to my otto millenium 7* which has a far more focused direct sound. Sax Conn 10M tenor.

 

[Morgan Fry]

Interesting! Would you say the same could be said about the metal mouthpieces?

The metal ones are much more different than the HR are. The HR V16 and "Vintge" series Links are similar, have a similar chamber size but different baffle and tip configuration and are similar in sound. The metal V16 is a much different piece to the metal "Vintage" Link. The link has a much deeper much rounder chamber, than the V16. Pretty different type of piece. The V16 is trying to be a brighter version of a Link STM, the "Vintage" TM is trying to be a brighter version of the Link ToneMaster.

 

[Two Voices]

The metal ones are much more different than the HR are. The HR V16 and "Vintge" series Links are similar, have a similar chamber size but different baffle and tip configuration and are similar in sound. The metal V16 is a much different piece to the metal "Vintage" Link. The link has a much deeper much rounder chamber, than the V16. Pretty different type of piece. The V16 is trying to be a brighter version of a Link STM, the "Vintage" is trying to be a brighter version of the Link ToneMaster.

Thanks for the clarification. I think the Vintage is the mouthpiece I'm after.

 

[TomMapfumo]

You could always try a Francois Louis tenor mouthpiece - when I was looking for a "Vintage" sound it was the one that I liked best, and is superbly hand made.

Life is a GAS!
Tom

 

[Two Voices]

You could always try a Francois Louis tenor mouthpiece - when I was looking for a "Vintage" sound it was the one that I liked best, and is superbly hand made.

Life is a GAS!
Tom

They certainly look good 😀 I might give it a try when I go across later this year!

For now I'm think I'm going to settle on the Vintage 7* and have a little work done on it - then play it until I can get the sound perfect top to bottom!

Life is a GAS!

It sure is! ;}