Link Slant...now I know

[qwerty]

I was fortunate enough this past Friday to pick up a very nice Tenor Link Slant Signature 5 with the purchase of a YTS-21 (which will be for sale soon for any of you looking for a very nice playing inexpensive tenor).

Wow. I have been playing 2 RPC's... a 120R and a 115B for the show/jazz work I do, and have been very happy with both. But after spending a couple hours each of the last couple of days blowing on this Link, I am a believer. I am so impressed with the core, the darkness, and width of the sound. It blows much bigger than the 5 would indicate, and the freeblowing-ness and response in the low register simply inspires confidence.

I played it today for fellow SOTW'er Graysax today, and he was equally impressed. Initially when I bought the Yamaha, I thought the Link would go up for sale to perhaps help fund some urgent home projects, or if I got lucky, maybe some GAS purchases. For now those plans are on hold, at least 'til I tire of this piece, which I don't see happening soon.

Wow, wow, wow.

[10mfan]

Gee, and I 've been told it was just all hype! LOL

Enjoy your slant...they are the BEST hard rubber tenor mpc's EVER made, in my opinion.

[bruce bailey]

Not hype.....if you want a nice fat tenor sound there is only ONE mouthpiece!

[10mfan]

Bruce...I was kidding.
I get razzed all the time by guys telling me the Slants I have here cant be so great, that its just all hype. That there must be pieces made today that are just as good, if not better---for way less money.

NEWSFLASH...THERE AREN'T!

[bruce bailey]

That's why I sold my slant to you....someone who knows! Hmmm, Florida Links staying in Florida...I actually bought some of mine from Ben when he was in Pompano in the 1960s. A fortune then, under $20 for a TE and about $35 for a STM!

[Mactenor]

For those of you who have tried both, how does the Tenney Slant Sig. compare with the original ?

[MojoBari]

Very well.

[Boontigula]

Are you kidding? There are alot of pieces that'll give you a nice fat tenor sound.
Not hype.....if you want a nice fat tenor sound there is only ONE mouthpiece!

[littlewailer]

So are either of those RPC's going for sale then?

[saxmanjack]

Can't imagine how anyone could go from a RPC 115B to a stuffy old Link, but I guess the much smaller tip opening helps with projection...

[qwerty]

So are either of those RPC's going for sale then?

Nope.

But...simplifying and making some tough choices (and I need a new hot water heater...) so the Link will actually be going for sale...most likely this weekend.

[Peter Stevens]

...so the Link will actually be going for sale...most likely this weekend.

Setting up the short ball eh? I thought those things sold them selves...

[sopranosaxman]

How does the link compare to the roll over RPC?

[jazzznbluezzz]

Hi,
I have no experience with an original slant but I play a
Tenney Slant Sig 7* on my Connosaurus Rex tenor. It sounds, dark
big, fat, huge, anything you can think of in that order... and with
great projection too. Not a trace of stuffiness even if you want to.
My main piece. The best... I thought...

...until I got a chance to buy a ARB Hard Rubber 7* Great Neck Original just recently from a great guy on the SOTW. With the right reed (just a plain unfiled RJS 2M) and lig it can easily dethrone the Tenney. I couldn't imagine that was possible. But it is louder, darker, fatter, a massive fat core, a little more edge, broader sounding and even projects at least as good. Maybe a bit more stuffy but not too much. Everyones sound concept is different ofcourse but this was a big surprise to me.

Now that is still no reason to replace the Tenney. The sounds colours do differ enough to use them both for different styles and venues and moods.
As the Tenney can scream better and is a little more free blowing for (old school) R&B situations.
The ARB I would prefer to use for more hot jazz and swing etc. etc. But on the other hand it also
has a beautiful velvety dark voice for classic. But I am no classic music player.

Just my 2 cents.

[JL]

so the Link will actually be going for sale...most likely this weekend.

Qwerty, does that mean you've tired of the Link, or the RPCs won out after all?

[Nefertiti]

It could mean he needs money for a new water heater and he can't that kind of money from 2 RPC's?

[sonnymobleytrane]

Nope.

But...simplifying and making some tough choices (and I need a new hot water heater...) so the Link will actually be going for sale...most likely this weekend.

So what brand of Water heater are you getting? :D

[bruce bailey]

Get the high baffle water heater.

[martysax]

So what brand of Water heater are you getting? :D


Get the high baffle water heater.

If you want a warm tone, you should stay away from the higher baffle models.

[JL]

It could mean he needs money for a new water heater and he can't that kind of money from 2 RPC's?

More for that Link than 2 RPCs? I didn't know those Links went for so much, but maybe so. In any case if he really likes the Link best, why sell it for a water heater? I bet the RPCs would be snatched up in a hurry...

Qwerty, we're speculating in the dark here. Let us know.

[qwerty]

I really really like the Link a whole lot. It is effortless to play and the sound is like dark and warm like real maple syrup.. I just can't justify hanging on to all of these tenor pieces. Most of my work anymore seems to be alto 2 in big bands, or reed 2 (mostly alto, clarinet and flute) or reed 5 (the big horns, bari, bass clarinet)in the show work I do. In fact, I can't remember the last time the tenor left the studio for a gig. It is on the verge of needing a repad and has been on that same verge for about 2 years...that I guess is illustrative of how little tenor I have been playing. It gets played a little bit each week because I have two tenor students. But enough about me...You wanna know about mouthpieces.

I like the RPC pieces so much because they are so versatile. I swear that if I voiced the 120R right, with the right reed and control, I could use it for classical saxophone, and in fact, its playing tendencies remind me a little bit of the Houlik classical tenor 'piece I of which I have grown quite fond. The 115 B is flexible too, but not quite in the same way..I obviously can use it on any rock and roll gigs, or if I get the call to play Grease...But when I change the voicing, it becomes a very serviceable big band section type sound.

Comparing the Link 5 (a much smaller tip opening, duh) to the RPC's is like comparing Kiwis and kumquats. The link is a very very very nice piece...just not as versatile or flat out loud as the RPC's...Don't get me wrong, the Link has one of the fattest warmest cores to the sound I have ever played.... just not the projection, and certainly not edge...As most of the playing I am doing is in sections with guys playing RPC's in large tip openings and one guy who plays a Meyer 12 O (yes you heard me right) on tenor, the RPC's would be the pieces I will take the gig.

If I were the type of player that played in a trio or quartet, an intimate smaller type jazz combo, or had control over sound reinforcement in a larger venue as I competed with electric keyboards, bass and guitars, I think I would be hanging onto this 'piece.

As far as water heaters go.... A standard oil fired tank unit is what is on the agenda. We will be buying the highest efficiency one we can afford, courtesy of Otto Slant.

--Steve

ps I do remember the last tenor gig I had. It was October 2007 subbing for Graysax on an X-rated, or at least NC-17 (I am serious) version of The Rocky Horror Show, performed by....wait for it..... a CHURCH theater group!

[qwerty]

More for that Link than 2 RPCs? I didn't know those Links went for so much, but maybe so. In any case if he really likes the Link best, why sell it for a water heater? I bet the RPCs would be snatched up in a hurry...

Qwerty, we're speculating in the dark here. Let us know.

A 4* just went for 722.00 on ebay. Larger tips typically fetch more. I am hopeful.

[Thomas]

ps I do remember the last tenor gig I had. It was October 2007 subbing for Graysax on an X-rated, or at least NC-17 (I am serious) version of The Rocky Horror Show, performed by....wait for it..... a CHURCH theater group!


Unitarians I bet:D

ps-no offense meant to anyone

[hakukani]

It's just a jump to the left
then you step to the right
put your hands on your hips
then bring your knees in tight
but it's the pelvic thrust
that really drives you insane.:D

[qwerty]

It's just a jump to the left
then you step to the right
put your hands on your hips
then bring your knees in tight
but it's the pelvic thrust
that really drives you insane.:D

Let me assure you, there was plenty of that.

[BlueTrane2028]

Qwerty, a little more tip on that piece, and it'll be louder than anything you have... which is why the larger tipped ones go for more, and why so many people reface these mouthpieces.

It sounds like you've made your mind up and did so with a lot of thought, so I'm not going to try to push you a different direction... too hard.

I would probably look at that mouthpiece like I look at my VI tenor. I don't play tenor a lot anymore. It was my big band axe, when I used to play in a big band. Now that's over, it hardly leaves the case. If I were to sell it, I could pay off a huge chunk of my credit card debt or fund some other project, but I would probably NEVER have a VI again. It's the best tenor I've ever held, and if my life were to change directions, I would want to have THAT tenor to use.

In a similar way, that's why I would personally hold onto that link. Who'se to say you won't find the need in a couple years, and you'll have to spend 2 thousand dollars or something crazy to get one like it. It was case candy. From what I gather it was essentially free. Forget it exists, fund the water heater with something else, something you legitimately will never need again (have an extra horn lying around that doesn't get used?). Take a look around your house, in your attic, in your basement. I'm sure there's some stuff you never touch or never will touch again or are easy enough to replace if needed that you could go on Craigslist and sell off easily to get the water heater.

Just my .02 take it for what it's worth which isn't much at all. Whatever you decide to do, I'm certain it will be the right decision for you at the time.

[JL]

A 4* just went for 722.00 on ebay. Larger tips typically fetch more. I am hopeful.

I got you now. I re-read your first post and I had thought you said "Tenny" Slant Link, when in fact you said "Tenor." So yeah I can see where you'd be temped to sell it, given you have 2 RPCs. Still if you REALLY like it, you might reconsider and sell something else.

[Graysax]

ps I do remember the last tenor gig I had. It was October 2007 subbing for Graysax on an X-rated, or at least NC-17 (I am serious) version of The Rocky Horror Show, performed by....wait for it..... a CHURCH theater group!


Ya - that WAS quite the gig - Oh my oh my. 1st half of that production made you go - "oh wow they took this over the top" - and the 2nd half made you say - "they can do that in live theater?"

For what it is worth - If I had any kind of extra cash I told Steve that I would buy that piece from him in a heartbeat - and I had a chance to play it.

It's warm - its fat - its even throughout - esp down at the low end of the horn.

I understand Steve's situation - and if it wasn't for the water heater this MPC I think would be a keeper for a much longer period of time.

[bruce bailey]

One thing about a slant is that you don't just put it on and play it like other mouthpieces. You need to relax and take some time. It will be worth it.

[Buck Laughlin]

One thing about a slant is that you don't just put it on and play it like other mouthpieces. You need to relax and take some time. It will be worth it.

Amen.

And it just gets better and better!

Buck

[qwerty]

I think I am going to hang onto this piece, guys. There were a lot of compelling arguments to do so. The two most compelling didn't happen here.

1) I played it again today
2) I murmured under my breath what a great 'piece it is and Mrs. Qwerty said, "then why don't you keep it"

[saxphil]

Great wife.
Cold showers are ok once you get used to them. :)

[Graysax]

Let me know when she lets you be the man of the house again

[qwerty]

Let me know when she lets you be the man of the house again

What do you mean by "again"? That would imply that at one time, I actually was man of the house.

[qwerty]

Great wife.
Cold showers are ok once you get used to them. :)

Cold showers because of a broken hot water heater...or a cold shower because, ummm errr.... well you know??.:shock:

[MyMartinTenor]

Cold showers because of a broken hot water heater...or a cold shower because, ummm errr.... well you know??.:shock:

I would suspect that a cold shower because of a broken water heater, if uncorrected, could lead to cold showers of the other variety rather quickly..... pretty closely tied together, I'll bet.