The Ultimate "Otto Link Identification" Thread

**Giganova** · 12-07-2007, 03:33 AM

Hi all --

there is a lot of great information here in this forum on Otto Link mouthpieces (e.g., posts by Doc Tenney and a thread by unbalancedaction) and in other places (such as Theo Wanne's web site, which is fantastic). However, a lot of people are still confused about the different flavors/models of metal Links. This is evident in about half of all Florida Links advertised on Ebay actually being Early Babbitts (as example).

So I made an attempt trying to identify Otto Link mouthpieces using a novel approach:

"The Otto Link Zoo" (pdf / jpg)

Geeky, huh?

Please let me know if you find this useful, and send me omissions/mistakes.

Cheers!

**AdrianMolina** · 12-07-2007, 03:52 AM

Its "Hawkins Special", not "Hawking".

Im assuming its a typo, but, if its not, its named for Coleman Hawkins--a person, of whom it is more important for you (or any saxophonist) to know about than vintage mpcs.

Like Phil Barone says, we all need to practice & listen more, on here, than thinking about equipment, knowing Hawkins & his music is a good start.

**Giganova** · 12-07-2007, 03:59 AM

That's a typo, of course (probably because I know Stephen Hawking in person).

No need to lecture me about the importance of playing, I am well aware of that.

**Sebastian** · 12-07-2007, 04:26 AM

you know S. Hawking?! That's pretty cool. Most of us just get to read the books.

**Giganova** · 12-07-2007, 04:30 AM

Yes I do. It's pretty tough to chit-chat with him, though

**Fred** · 12-07-2007, 01:42 PM

Can't believe I'm the first person to say this . . . THANKS!!!!!

**tjontheroad** · 12-07-2007, 02:07 PM

Very inventive flow-charting. Even I can follow that. Nice work!

**Stan** · 12-07-2007, 02:09 PM

Very nice, thanks for posting it.

Stan

**Rackety Sax** · 12-07-2007, 02:18 PM

I don't know enough about these to comment on the completeness or acuracy, but the concept is really great. I always found Wanne's stuff hard to digest, but this is really straightforward. Thanks Gig.

**Swampcabbage** · 12-07-2007, 02:23 PM

This should clear up many questions. Great job. And the typo is quite obvious as it is directly above the picture. Are you going to attempt a hard rubber one? Probably not as tough but you will want to get some pics of the SP's.

**saintsday** · 12-07-2007, 07:04 PM

Nice job. Thank you. You have cleared up some confusion for me.

**Martinman** · 12-07-2007, 07:07 PM

Very nice.

Sticky?

**bfoster64** · 12-07-2007, 08:18 PM

I like this a lot, but I have something to add:

I have an STM for bari that does not have the facing number on the body, nor does it have the number in the usual place on the shank (i.e., on the same side as the table). Instead, the number is on the back of the shank. The piece does not resemble the modern STMs for bari that I have seen and played. It has a wider beak, longer rollover baffle, thinner rails, and the chamber and sidewalls are slightly more scooped out. I think it is a "transitional" Babbitt piece but I can't verify that. All I know is that the thing sounds and plays like butter.

**hakukani** · 12-07-2007, 08:21 PM

Originally Posted by Martinman

Very nice.

Sticky?

+1

**Carl H.** · 12-07-2007, 08:23 PM

You might specify tenor or whatever size piece this chart represents.

**Hurling Frootmig** · 12-07-2007, 08:58 PM

Originally Posted by Martinman

Very nice.

Sticky?

Sticky - Done!

Great work.

**bfoster64** · 12-07-2007, 09:35 PM

What I'm saying is that the "number on back of shank" STM is not represented in the chart and maybe it should be. I can send you some pics if you want to see it.

Originally Posted by bfoster64

I like this a lot, but I have something to add:

I have an STM for bari that does not have the facing number on the body, nor does it have the number in the usual place on the shank (i.e., on the same side as the table). Instead, the number is on the back of the shank. The piece does not resemble the modern STMs for bari that I have seen and played. It has a wider beak, longer rollover baffle, thinner rails, and the chamber and sidewalls are slightly more scooped out. I think it is a "transitional" Babbitt piece but I can't verify that. All I know is that the thing sounds and plays like butter.

**Martinman** · 12-07-2007, 10:25 PM

Originally Posted by Hurling Frootmig

Sticky - Done!

Great work.

Cool. Maybe now we won't get a "what kind of otto link do I have????" thread every few weeks.

**Giganova** · 12-07-2007, 11:20 PM

bfoster64 -- thanks for the info! I will investigate what bari Link you have.

Keep in mind that the chart was done for tenor mouthpieces so it might vary a bit for sop/alto/bari. It might need some tweaking here and there.

Thanks for making the thread sticky -- that's great!