Tenney STM Link

[Paul S]

Hi all

I have just got a HR Tenney link for soprano that I'm very happy with.

Could any of you guys that have tried the STM Tenney Link give me some info on the piece.

What sort of work has he done on it? just facing or chamber as well? Is it brightish like the HR soprano or dark like the older large body links? Is the facing longer like it seems the soprano piece is? (this makes it feel more open to me and requires more piece in mouth). any baffle work?

Are those of you that gave it good reviews still happy? what reeds are u using?

many thanks!
stay cool 8)

[max]

I'm still loving mine... (I use Alexander DCs on it)
(sorry - I misread the question; I'm referring to my soprano mouthpiece. My tenor Link also has Doc's work on it, but it's a FL Link to start with...)

[Balladeer]

I'm very happy with both my Tenney pieces - the HR soprano Link and the metal STM Link for tenor. To me, the soprano HR Link is more comfortable to play than a Morgan piece I have because the Morgan piece makes me feel like I need to take too much mouthpiece, like you said. The HR Link doesn't feel like that to me. Besides it produces a full, rich tone that is not too bright or too dark - it's just right. Also, I can play louder and better in-tune with the Link than I can with the Morgan.

Regarding the STM, I could be wrong, but my understanding is that these Tenney STM Links match the intended specifications of the mouthpiece with complete accuracy and without extra modifications like baffle work. What that means is that we are buying the highest quality Link STM produced today. So, if the traditional STM design and tone appeal to you, then you would be buying a new piece with those characteristics and capabilities.

In my limited talk with Doc Tenney I heard him indicate that his Link STM would be fairly neutral, allowing the player to vary the tone. That's why I'm keeping mine!

[Paul S]

thanks for the feedback...glad you're both enjoying the Tenney HR Link soprano as much as i am.

balladeer, when u say "match the intended specification".....do u mean of the current production spec or the older florida spec? Does anyone even know what the intended current spec is?? I mean it varies so much. At least with the older ones u can find a good example and match it. This would require working on the chamber, roof and baffle though from my understanding.

I guess its all academic at the end of the day. What matters to me is that i like the basic link sound and am convinced of docs ability given his work on the soprano piece.........good enough for me. I can't test pieces down here in South Africa, so its always a bit risky.....at least this way, i know the basic character of the piece and know that the quality will be great.

:P

[retread]

I've seen two words used to describe Doc's Links--"perfected" and "blueprinted". Never played his STM, but I do have a Tenney new HR Link for tenor, and the soprano Tenney Link. Both are wonderful players, and about as versatile as a Link can be. I can't imagine his STM would be anything less than outstanding.

[Silhouette]

Hi guys, does these STM links produce the dark rich tone like that of Dexter Gordon?

Also where can we find these Tenney STM links. I am based in Singapore

Thanks

[Paul S]

Hi Silhouette

www.saxquest.com supplies the tenney links. Mark and Syd are very nice guys.... knowledgable too.... i highly recommend them.

Good STM links are very flexible and can do the Dexter thing (if you can that is!)..... I would however expect these, like other modern STM's I've tried, to be brighter than some of the vintage large body links - not bright like a guardala however.

Dexter could no doubt produce his famous fat, dark, gritty sound on any mouthpiece, but i would suspect that us mere mortals would do well to use a vintage Dukoff Hollywood or open (9 and above) STM (pref one of the longer shank, wider tip ones)

You could try www.worldwidesax.com or www. mouthpieceheaven to source a dukoff hollywood - they usually have a few, but theyre not cheap!

[Silhouette]

Hi Paul,

the dukoff hollywood you mentioned is a vintage mouthpiece right?
Hi i heard the jody Jazz Esp mouthpiece is also close to getting the Gordon, rich dark sound...any ideas?

Thanks!

[Paul S]

yeah the dukoff hollywood i'm talking about is vintage....there is also a modern one however, just to confuse things.

I had an ESP120, without the spoiler it is very dark and does sound somewhat dexterish. Only difference for me is that Dexter has some grain and grit in his sound, whereas the ESP was very clear sounding (if that makes any sense to you). The ESP is a good piece, with a narrow tip that takes some getting used to depending on what you're used to (I play links mostly, so was very narrow for me. got used to it though)

good luck!

[Silhouette]

Hi Paul, does that mean that the vinatge dukoff produce a totally different sound from the new dukoff hollywood?

Also wat is a spoiler? does it come with the ESP mouthpiece?

Hmm...if the ESP produces a fat, dark, warm yet clear sound, its wat i want. How are the high notes for this piece?...sweet sounding?

Many many thanks!

[Paul S]

I haven't played either the old or new dukoff hollywood....but what i understand from others and the visible design, the new one has more baffle and should be brighter. Also the new dukoff's suffer from poor quality control, I would be a little nervous of buying a new dukoff without playing it

The ESP is a good piece in all register. It is not particularly powerful or loud, but does play very nicely. It comes in 3 sizes .100, .110 and .120. Depending on your experience level and current piece, I'd steer away from the .120.

The spoiler is a little removable baffle with a metal "tongue" that brightens the sound a bit. I found the ESP to work best with the spoiler. I suspect that the .120 has too little baffle without the spoiler to support that big tip opening (conjecture on my part, I'm no authority). Go have a look at www.jodyjazz.com to check it out further. Also drop Jody Espina a mail. He's a great guy and wonderful craftsman.....he will also do trials (although you'll pay the shipping).

hope that helps 8)