Sop Teney Link, SR Legend, SS

[retread]

In the unlikely event anyone has tried the Soprano Tenney Link, SR Tech Legend, and Selmer Super Session, I'm looking for comparisons. Your experiences greatly appreciated.

[max]

I'm looking to try a Tenney, but I have tried the other two.

The Super Sessions just never really did it for me, on any horn. They're just too bright for me (and I know that isn't most people's experience). I far prefer the Selmer Classic Metal on my Serie III - that really works for me.

Then I got a vintage soprano; the Selmer Metal mouthpiece just wasn't a good match for it (dark mouthpiece + dark horn?), so I went shopping and ended up with a SR Tech Legend (and tried another batch of SSs just to be sure). It's just the thing for me - warm, dark, rich, and clear. For me, it worked as well as the Selmer Metal did on my III, with maybe a touch more clarity.

The Legend is my main mouthpiece now, and I'm perfectly happy with it. I have heard such good things about the Tenney Links, though, that I do want to try one... (which is why I have the Metal up for trade in the highly unlikely event that someone that has one will actually want to trade it... :wink: )

[m3pilot]

As Max knows, I play a Tenney Link on soprano. I bought it from Doc when I bought the horn. Mostly out of curiosity I'm in the process of trying some other pieces. That said, so far the Tenney is winning hands down.
He's really cool to deal with too.

[DaveR]

I don't know the Tenney, but I have a couple of Super Sessions and an SR Legend. The Legend is my prefered mouthpiece by a long way. I find it all round a better balance of sound, better made and easier on reeds.

[max]

I finally broke down and got a Tenney HR Link for my soprano.

It's similar to the Legend (which I had been happy with), but its a touch darker and has more depth. The chamber is slightly larger, although at first glance it looks like the Legend's chamber is larger - the window is wider than the Link, but the floor is much higher. Also, the Link's chamber is longer.

An incredible amount of hand work goes into these mouthpieces, perfecting everything from the table to the tip (including the baffle).

The best part is, they cost less than the Legends! :D

I'm all done looking for soprano equipment - now it's all on me to just play...

[retread]

Glad to hear you prefer the Tenney, Max. I picked the Tenney because I have a couple of his tenor pieces that I really like. I still haven't tried a Legend, but sure do the the Tenney sop piece.

[max]

Yeah - I'm playing a Doc tweaked FL Link on tenor: best mouthpiece I've ever played.

One more difference between the Legend and the Tenney Link that I forgot to mention yesterday: the Link is a touch more open. I've gone down a half-strength in reeds (at least for now).

[ZenBen]

Please tell more about these Tenney sop Links. HOw much do they cost? Does he make them in different openings? Anyone ever compared them to a metal yanagisawa?

[max]

You can get them from saxquest.com:
http://www.saxquest.com/productDetails.asp?productcode=TenneyBPHRtenor
(use the popup to select soprano)

[Jonah]

Whoaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa,

Just got my Doc Tenney Hr Soprano Link and played it! What a difference. I was playing on a Super Session H and it was way to bright for my taste. This has the same projection as the Super Session but is much richer and darker. So far, I am in love with it.

Jonah
www.jonahminton.com
www.marriedcoupletheband.com

[rollen]

Jonah,

Does it project like the SuperSession with the same effort, or does it require more support? How does is compare as far as controlabilty to the SS? Does it favor an octave as far as how it projects. I've played some pieces that really sing in the upper octave, and just don't seem to have it down below. Most of the stuff I am playing on soprano is in the lower octave.

Have you played a BARI? If so, can you compare it to the Link?

[Jonah]

rollen,

I am still in love with the Tenney Sop Link. I threw a FL lig on there and it is projecting like crazy, much more than my super session with the oleg lig. I haven't had a chance to compare sop link with fl against ss with fl lig. Maybe tomorrow I will try that and let you know. I get a rounder, warmer sound on the Tenney Link. And more fire power, better intonation. I also really like the low register on the tenney. I guess I can't say enough good things about it. hahaha.

Jonah

[Morry]

Are the Tenney Links only available through Saxquest? Also, do they have a trial policy at all?

Thanks.

[retread]

I think Doc also markets through Les Arbuckle, Sax Alley, and a few more. Only way to learn about a trial period is to ask the retailers. I got my tenor and soprano Tenney Links through Saxquest, but didn't ask about returns. After my first Tenney Link I knew I wouldn't need to worry about not liking his mouthpieces.

[Morry]

My only concern is that a 7 opening may be a little large for me on soprano. I usually stick to about a .060 opening, and I think a 7 is about a .065.

[max]

For me, going down a half-strength in reeds (see above) took care of that perfectly. FWIW, I haven't switched back yet, and maybe I never will - I'm perfectly happy as is.

[retread]

Morry, it seems to work for me to use the same relative size mpc on each sax. In other words, I use a Tenney HR Link 7 on soprano, tenor and baritone. If a Link 7 is good for you on tenor it should also work on sop. I do, however, use a slightly softer reed on sop and bari than on tenor. Could be because tenor is my primary sax.