soprano metal otto link

[yixiang]

i've recently ordered a soprano metal link 8* but is yet to arrive...
like a mouthpiece on the brighter side yet is able to produce a classical, full sound...wonder if 8* is a good choice...also bought a rovner mk3 for it...wat do u all tink of de set-up or would de original do betta...my horn is a yamaha YSS-475 btw...thanks 4 ur comments

[Jason]

hi yi xiang...i recently had also ordered a selmer super session I and its on its way...i hope...i think the otto link is a pretty good mouthpiece...probably depends on how u want it to sound like...wheather its classical or jazz...but i am not sure if its compatible with the rovner mark 3 lig...i also ordered a mark 3 together with the selmer super session...i will let u know how the mark 3 is as soon as i get it... :)

[Roger McWilliams]

A new metal Link piece for soprano will have a complex sonic spectra. It will have the usual fundamental and harmonics, but will have an additional spectrum of sounds slightly off of each harmonic. This gives the Link a ducklike or oboelike sound on soprano. It does this on the larger horns also, but the difference is more apparent on the soprano. As such, a metal Link soprano piece will have trouble fitting into some classical expectations. It will surely fit in jazz if that tonal quality is what you seek. The Selmer Super Session piece is more flexible in that it does not have this sideband spectrum in it and so it can fit well in classical or jazz. I have used both pieces extensively.

Happy playing!

[3saxes]

The Otto Link 8* is an excellent Jazz mouthpiece, but I wouldn't suggest it for Classical. The Selmer Super Session 'J' is also excellent for Jazz. The Rovner is all out loud, rock, fusion in my opinion. I've owned all three, and play the Super Session 'J' and the Otto Link.

[Johannes Gerber]

I have to disagree on the ducky sound on metal soprano links. I used one for a long time before eventually changing it's design. I made the chamber a bit bigger and thinned the rails. This gave it more roundness to the tone. The sop link is very powerfull and can be very bright with soft reeds.

Go to www.bootmanmusic.com for a recording of a soprano metal link.

Best
JG

[Bootman]

The metal Link on sop is a fantastic choice, the sound is pure and sweet. You must get a good one though, if not then get it tweaked by someone like Johannes. The SS mpcs are less than ideal in many areas, it takes a long time to find one that plays well and has even rails, tip and is square on the table. Lawtons and Ponzols are other great options too.

[MB-913]

Bootman,

I also have a regular Metal Link soprano MPC for my YSS-675. But it sound too bright for me (although some people think not that bright). Any idea how can I make it more dark? I tried Hemke reed but still too bright & lack of rich, warm sound.

[Bootman]

Try some different reeds. I use a Plasticover 3 or 2 1/2 with great success. Drop me an email from my website and I willsend you some mp3's of different combos.

[yixiang]

thanks 4 ur comments..keep dem comin
i've finally got my otto link 8* some mths ago..its a great mp i jus love it.
its simply wonderful...im able 2 produce totalli diff types of sound wif it..soft n soothing if u wan it...or..roarin harsh wif loads of power it is also capable of...

Classical Tone
It's able 2 produce a mesmorizin brilliant classical tone..i was able to do so wif vandoren traditional reed 3 mod/filled to my liking...holding a piece of cloth in de left hand while playin(letting de cloth cover de higher half of de sax) tames de harshness n overtones, also, de open notes(eg.C,C#,B,A) sounds fuller like those of de more closed notes(eg.D,E)...doing so produces a different tone frm those produced by hard rubber ones..useful trick i find it

Modern/Jazz Tone
using V16 2.5 also fillled 2 my liking, i place de reed lower frm de tip (almost as low as i can go)..it gave a sweet romantic sound wif a nice buzz n quite a bit of overtones wich i favour

I tink its a fantastic n versatile mp wif no prob of projection great 4 jazz, sentimental or classical solo works i tink...lovely!

[Perfect Pitch]

I mussay ur writin is irritatin

[Mike Ruhl]

www.engrish.com

[werkinsnake]

I also have a metal STM 7* link for soprano. I love it, and it's easy to play with (very freeblowing). I'll never play a hard rubber mouthpiece on soprano again!!!

[1saxman]

I played a new Link metal 7* on soprano for a couple years, but it was so ducky I had to get something else. I picked up a Guardala 'Liebman' on ebay because I play Guardalas on tenor and alto, and immediately went to soprano heaven. Wow! No more quacking or oboe solos!. It cost a ton, but I smile every time I play it. It plays so much smoother than the Link - no more 'squawcks' on octave changes or in the low register. Sure, any mouthpiece can be modified to blow, but I got about a fourth of the price of the Guardala out of it, so it made a good trade-in on the Guardala. I think having extensive work done on a current Link is throwing good money after bad.

[Tryin']

Interesting... I was thinking about buying a Link for my sop because that's what I play on tenor, but after the 'ducky' comments I'm not so sure. I like an edgy sound as I play jazz mostly, but would also like to be able to play with a more open, sweet tone when I want. is the Link suitable for this? What about Dukoff? I have never tried one of these and was wondering if someone could give me some info. thanks :D

[Dave Dolson]

Tryin': I have a metal Link 6# that plays okay for me, but I much prefer HR pieces (from Selmer). The Link has a certain buzz to it (edgy may better describe it) and it doesn't take the pressure that my Selmers can take (meaning that when I push the Link I lose some control - but not at all with my Selmer pieces). I recently had a metal Dukoff that was awful - and poorly finished as well.

BUT, a friend of mine who uses metal Links on all of his saxophones (including soprano - a MKVI) gets a very warm and mellow sound out of his. The lesson here is that no one can tell you how a metal Link will play for you. DAVE

[Tryin']

Dave,

Thank you for your input. Right now I'm really tempted to get the Link for my soprano, as edgy is what I'm looking for; and I love the Link on my tenor. I think I'm going to wait untill I try a Dukoff though, because a friend of mine said they play like the Links do but with a fatter sound. Of course, I've heard the opposite of this too so I'm going to go see for myself :wink:

Now a bit about reeds...
I play Daniel's 2 1/2. I personally like these as I'm new to soprano, and they give me close to the sound I want (except not enough jazzy edge which is why I want the Link, right now I'm using a Morgan Protone because that's what came with the sax). Everyone I talk to suggests Vandoren or LaVoz reeds, but they always play 'stuffy' for me. Even if I use a very soft reed, it still plays like that so I don't use them. Is this a problem caused by the way I play, or is this the sound that everyone prefers :? I like the open fat sound that I achieve on tenor with the Link and soft Daniel's reeds. So should I stick with my reeds or listen to everyone else?

[Dave Dolson]

Tryin': Why don't you order both Link and Dukoff - and send back either or both (from WW&BW for instance)?

For what it is worth, the Dukoff I had was not anything like my Link. The Dukoff reminded me of my HR alto Beechler Diamond Inlay piece that Mojobari worked on - VERY open, loud and generally obnoxious (but Mojo made the thing play where before all it did was squeal for me).

As to reeds (or any other equipment, for that matter) I would not make MY equipment decisions based on what others experience. I have not heard of Daniel's, but if they play good for you and you don't like Vandoren or Rico or whatever, don't switch merely because others have different experiences. DAVE