Best new Link refacer ?

[jcnmark6]

I think to buy an otto link for my tenro saxophone. I know that the current production is not very good. So Who is the best refacer in order to get a killer metal link for tenor ? Theo Wanne ? Doc Tenney ? Phil Barone ? others ?
thanks

[Balladeer]

If you want a good Link STM without custom features, get one from Doc Tenney. A good Link is capable of producing tone similar to Eric Alexander or Joshua Redman. With a brighter reed a good Link can even get you close to Michael Brecker's sound.

Another idea, if you enjoy a more narrow mouthpiece body, is a Jody Jazz ESP. Jody has made a slight change to the baffle (not spoiler) and now the ESP without baffle sounds very similar to a good Link STM. The ESP is still slightly more focused than the Link STM.

[MojoBari]

I have not played on one, but pictures of Doc Tenney's Link work on Saxquest are stunning. He has a great rep. If you want a great traditional Link, he's the man. If you want custom baffle in it, you'll need to look elsewhere. That is more Theo's bag.

[retread]

I have one of Doc's HR modern Links. It's great! I would think his metal Link would be equally good.

[max]

I have a Florida Link that Doc tweaked (before I got it). It's a great mouthpiece.

I haven't played one of his new ones, but I did have a Theo Custom Link (with the added baffle). Since I like the more traditional Link sound, I didn't like the baffle. It was a good player, it just didn't suit me...

In other words, I agree with Mojo... :wink:

[sjabariiii]

How about the Bob Ackerman copies?

[m3pilot]

Yes, especially for Links, Doc's the man all the way. I had him blueprint my STM and restore a NY ToneMaster and they both came out awesome. I especially love the TM.
I played his modern hr and stm links and they are both terrific also.
If you want a Berg Link or an Otto Larson, look elsewhere. If the traditional Link sound is your bag, go see the doctor!

[Tonehole]

Doc is the man. He has worked on a Slant Link for me, he butt cut it, took it from a 5* on the table to a true 7* or .105. The work was flawless, the piece plays awesome. He has just opened a 2nd Slant, a NY for me, not received it yet but am as confident it will be as fine as the first. A true master.

[Tonehole]

The question was who is the best new refacer! With the qualifier of new I guess it cannot be Doc! He would likely be the oldest. For an new refacer to watch my money is on Johanne Gerber out of South Africa. ( saxophones@webmail.co.za )
The qualityof his work is excellent, not only does he reface and repair but he is making his own mothpieces. The finish on his pieces are flawless and they play very well. Each one seems to be an individual effort. I don't believe there is any new refacers out there who can match his level of competance or have his potential. My teacher has one of his alto piece's and it is very nice!
Gotta blow..
Ty

[MojoBari]

Most of us read the question as "who is the best refacer of new Links?"

[RobG]

I've gotta recommend MojoBari who did a heck of a good job on my Y2K Link. Plays much better than stock. He added some baffle which gives it a great sound. Fast turnaround too.

[MojoBari]

Thanks Rob. I've only worked on a few Links, but I've only worked on a few of any other make too. Each Link turned out different depending on what the player was asking for. I do not play Links, but I can make them better. I've had plenty of refacing jobs to keep me busy, so I'm not asking for more work. :)

[gary]

Theo Wanne refaced my modern Link STM. That Link does not play as easily as my ESP but after it came back from Theo it shure as heck played better than before. I would not overlook him.

[MB-913]

I'm looking for a metal MP for my tenor. My choice is between a ESP 100 or Tenney Select 7* Metal Link.
I think I will only buy one at the moment because both pieces are very expensive.

1) My favorite sound is Eric Alexander. slightly dark, excellent resonance and mellow. A very stupid question, which MP sounds like Eric more?

2) Which one is more narrow in side - ESP or regular Modern Metal Link ? Because I don't like Rovner Dark lig, which comes with the ESP. I have a Olegature, may be it can fit the ESP (It fit the modern Metal Link, I check already).

Thanks

[Balladeer]

MB-913:
Both are very good mouthpieces. Both mouthpieces will help you to sound like Eric Alexander.

The .100 ESP may blow easier than the .105 Link, but not by much.

Intonation may be easier to control on the ESP.

Altissimo is good with both mouthpieces.

Do you like to play more in the upper register or the lower register? If you love to play ballads in the low register (like Houston Person) get the Link. If you like to play ballads in the upper register (like Coltrane) get the ESP. If you like to bend high notes like Joshua Redman get the Link.

Let me say it another way: If you like a clear, focused sound with solid intonation, get the ESP. If you like some spread and some bending of the notes, get the Link.

The ESP can use a simple 2-screw metal lig from a Dukoff tenor mouthpiece (D, P, M chamber styles). You could probably find a metal lig under $10 for the ESP.

QUESTION FOR YOU: What model Olegature do you use on Beechler Bellite for alto?

[Agent27]

If it helps, Eric plays on a Link. At one point he was playing on one that was worked on by Theo Wanne.

[MB-913]

MB-913:
Both are very good mouthpieces. Both mouthpieces will help you to sound like Eric Alexander.

The .100 ESP may blow easier than the .105 Link, but not by much.

Intonation may be easier to control on the ESP.

Altissimo is good with both mouthpieces.

Do you like to play more in the upper register or the lower register? If you love to play ballads in the low register (like Houston Person) get the Link. If you like to play ballads in the upper register (like Coltrane) get the ESP. If you like to bend high notes like Joshua Redman get the Link.

Let me say it another way: If you like a clear, focused sound with solid intonation, get the ESP. If you like some spread and some bending of the notes, get the Link.

The ESP can use a simple 2-screw metal lig from a Dukoff tenor mouthpiece (D, P, M chamber styles). You could probably find a metal lig under $10 for the ESP.

QUESTION FOR YOU: What model Olegature do you use on Beechler Bellite for alto?


Balladeer

Thanks a lot!

1) I have 2 Olegature lig. When I bought the first one, it was for my Beechler Bellite alto. Because it work wonderful and I realize Olegature will not produce this anymore. So, I bought another one for back-up use.

I guess it should be same size because both has marked #7 size. But later on I found the new one is a little bit larger than the old one (I'm surprise!). So, I use it for my tenor MP. I've put it on a regular STM Metal Link (I tried this in a retail shop) + a V-16 (T-75). It fit on both but STM is 100% good fit, V-16 size is a bit bigger with this Oleg (still OK, just very tight).


2) Have you compare the ESP tip with Beechler Metal (Tenor)? Are they very close in width (same narrow size?)?

3) When listening to Eric Alexander, sounds like he is playing most of his ballad with middle & low register notes. For Trane, frankly, I don't like his tenor sound very much, a bit too sharp for me. Eric Alexander, Dexter & Joshua Redman still my favorite sound.

4) How much is a vintage Florida Metal Link now with good condition? Honestly, for the long-run I don't mind to buy another expensive MP later. But if I get the Tenney Select 7* Metal Link first instead of ESP, I don't think I will buy a vintage Link even if I can find. So, may be better for me to get the ESP 0.100 first because hard to say if I can find a good vintage Link later.