Looking for warm, not edgy but still projects

[smitch]

I am looking for a Tenor mpc that is not edgy, has a nice warm sound but still projects. I like the Link sound, but I find them to be a little stuffy and I have trouble getting them to project.

I have pieces that sound good in the lower register with nice overtones but in the upper register the sound doesn't sound "sweet" to me.

I have heard the V16 described as "modified Link". Would this be a good choice? Any other suggestions?

P.S. This would be used for Jazz combo work with solos. No microphone.

[Nefertiti]

The ESP!! perfect piece for what you describe The V16 is too bright in my opinion. It's also lacking a certain fatness to the sound. Call Jody. Free trial. Can't go wrong.

[morgan]

Lawton -- either the plain "B" or the "no letter at all" but you clearly do not want the "BB"

[CodyW]

The ponzol II-V-I would be a good mouthpiece for what you want. It better projection than the link, and isn't as stuffy. It has more power than a link, but it still has that lush sound.

[gary]

I second the motion on the Jody Jazz ESP. Flexible sound, excellent response and tone. It makes everything much easier for me to play. I went to it from a Link Ton Meister #6, refaced by Theo Wanne, so it was a very good Link.

[John_HK]

Ever tried to add a little bit of baffle to your Link? I added a little bit of baffle with Blu-tac to my modern Link and greatly improves its projection at a very low cost. It retains the tonal flexibility and lushness in tone. Intonation is not affected. Another advantage of using Blu-tac is that you can fine tune the tone with how much baffle you want to add.
I used to have a Vandoren V16, and it sounds very much like a Link with edge. But it does not have the lush sound of a Link in my own opinion.

[DirkW]

Dental wax also works well for creating your own baffle. Since you like your Link, have some fun experimenting with different baffles. If nothing else, it will give you a good starting point in looking for another mouthpiece.

Building the baffle up close to the tip projects the higher frequencies, giving you a brighter sound with more edge. A deeper roll-over baffle will give you a darker sound with more projection.

[Ritchie]

If you like the Link sound, try to find a rded cut that gives you the projection you need on the Link. I found Vandoren V16, Rico Select Jazz filed or Alexander Superial reeds to be a good match for a Link - for both hard rtbber and metal. To make the low register speak more easily, remove some wood from the reed in the bark area, or try Bootman's reed drilling process. You should also try a less open facing than on a higher baffle mouthpiece.

[BobD]

I agree with Ritchie. A V16 on a HR Link works very well. Adds a little edge and aids in projection. Also, try a few Links to get the best one. I've played Links that are so bad no reed will save them. My current HR Link 7* is pretty free blowing and not too dark. Additionally I think Links take some getting used. So, don't give up too easily on them.

[retread]

Agreed. RJS reeds and an FL lig really open up a Link HR.

[chrisr]

Try a Morgan L, M or EL - all are flexible enough to give you what you want, but the M might be a tad bright for what your looking for.

[Riff]

Another vote for staying with the Link. It's the only mouthpiece I've found that gives the sound you describe. Unfortunately there is a quality control problem with current production. I tried 6 or 7 samples before I found one that plays the way I wanted it to. I even interchanged the ligatures between samples to find a good Link lig. Now I won't trade it for anything.

Links are a tad reed fussy. I get good results with plain old Rico Royals.
Adding baffle is worth a try too; as John_HK said.

[smitch]

Where can I get Blu-tac? and for that matter, dental wax? At my local pharmacy?

It seems logical to try adding my own baffle before spending the money on a new mouthpiece. It is worth a try.

[hotsax]

Try this smitch....and I know the other guys are gonna rag this one, but try it anyway, I think it will work for you. Metal Berg Larsen somewhere around a 105/2...110/2 with a Rovner dark ligature and a Superial DC reed about a 2, 2 1/2, no more than a 3, whichever you feel more comfortable with....LET ME KNOW!!!