Within the first few seconds of you playing, I had a guess…and it turned out to be right. A sounded like it had a narrower sound profile, even sounding a bit muffled compared to B. B sounded both brighter and more complex. You’re clearly more comfortable playing B-it’s a great mouthpiece-but there was a really blatant difference in sound beyond that!
Thank you for a clearly fair and objective play comparison. I am honored to be the new (14 months now) owner of JJ Babbitt and it's Otto Link, Meyer, Hite brands along with many others. I'm a music industry veteran and committed to our history and legacy so I truly appreciate you and those that keep our heritage alive in this way. Keep it up and again, many thanks. SR
Steve, Jamie would love to have a conversation. Drop a note please to info@getyoursaxtogether.com and he will follow-up. Thanks! Larry K. (Jamie's assistant)
They both sounded quite good but I'd give the edge to B. You where more versatile on mouthpiece B and it was a bit brighter, which probably helped in the versatility.
You sound fab on Both! Preach it brother Anderson: The Gear Matters Not, for the Player Holds the Sounds. Aaaaaaaaa-men. When in doubt, I tend to choose the shiny one. Have a great week my friend!
Thanks Wally. Maybe I’ll try one of those weird west coast pieces you love one day and see if that’s still the case. Better get myself a 5.5 Reed or something so I don’t feel like I’m choking on my own oxygen. 😆
Jamie, IMO the New York model wasn't as edgy as your Florida link. I thought the New York sounded better being more mellow on the Misty demo. Whereas the Florida cut through better on the pop jazz music
I have a new New York model from Babbit ( New York model has a huge chamber like the ones from the 30´s and 40´s) It plays GREAT. But it is well made. And that is an exception from the norm with Babbits today. I have other newer Links that play well also. The Link is the best all arounder as you say Jamie. When I am in the studio, I always have a Link with me. There are great ones and not great ones. There are dark ones and bright ones. This is a really cool comparison, thank you very much! I could hear that that A was the the New York model because the sound was darker owing to a much larger chamber. A large chamber mouthpiece is better in a smaller opening and with a softer reed because the mouthpiece is providing the resistance not the reed. You might have had a more familiar feel with a new super tone master 8* than with the New York model.
Your playing is fantastic as usual. So, rather than watch the video and see you switch between mouthpieces, I closed my eyes and just listened to you play. Three times, I heard no discernible differences, both pieces sounded the same. I listened using a pair of sennheiser 280 headphones so the sound source was good. You could play the new piece in any situation (live or recording) and nobody would know you’re playing a different mouthpiece.
Listened through Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro headphones using vintage (1953) ears. No discernible difference to me. I'm convinced (once again) that the sound tone and texture comes from the player's mind and vocal tract. Thanks as always Jamie. These videos are the highlight of my Sundays.
I liked "B" better, it had an edge that was subtle and the low notes were gorgeous. Good demo, keep up the enthusiasm, it's infectious (in a good way!)
The Florida had the ‘edge’ on the New Link, I guessed B was the Florida which sounded more centred (but you made them both sound great) …almost a tie but the Florida gets the prize!
Speaking from a position of almost total ignorance, I would say that 'B' sounded smoother and fuller and as though it was more effortless for you to play.
I noticed a precision and clarity on B. I liked it better. Sounded cleaner. On Misty I didn’t have a preference. I have a “vintage” berg Larson that came with my Mark VI but it feels like how you are describing the new one: restricted a bit. This was fascinating - thank you!
Hello, in this video you do compare not only different ages, but also two different constructions. The FL has a small baffle behind the tip but the NY has no baffle at all. The NY sounds even darker than the standard Link. I own both models (new standard otto link STM and the NY) and can tell that by experience. What if you compare the the old FL with the new "100th anniversary" FL model?
I'll second that. Although I'm not an expert, in doing research about my FL 3* double ring tenor it seems they went through baffle changes, facing lengths, and obviously tip openings from NY to larger tip FL models. Interesting too my 3* seems to have been made later in the production run and has a smaller rollover baffle, while at the same time they were doing more (iirc) table style baffles with larger tips. So at some point they seem to have been hand making these somewhat one off, which makes buying them this much later all that much more fun. So yeah, the different sounds make complete sense.
I liked B better. It was brighter when you pushed it, but it also had a richer sound with more body. Regarding a comment below about a Link with a warped table, I purchased a Link in the 70s that never played well for me so it sat in a drawer for 15 years. I finally had a refacer take a look at it and he flattened the table which made all the difference in the world.
Yeh, the finishing is notoriously variable. That also made it an unfair test as well. I should have had the new one refaced, but then again most people wouldn’t do that.
B Sounds slightly brighter to me. I am using my Tannoy speakers and headphones separately. Both sound so good. I used 7* hard rubber or metal and love them both.
I believe their is a discernible difference even though not all agree. I thought B was slightly brighter but didn't pick up much beyond that. Which sounds better is probably just a matter of personal difference and taste. I play a Berg Larson and love it for its power, brightness but also flexibility. The same things you love about your vintage Otto.
Hi Jamie, Remember when I bought my Otto link Florida super tone 7 for my tenor? The 100th anniversary special remake. It has a smooth sound. Definitely the price you mentioned. The ones you played have a very subtle difference but your sound is brilliant as always. 🎷🤓 Oh and yes B was my choice also.
Having inherited a Florida Otto link from my dad @ 30 years ago I figured I could hear the difference. I picked A because I thought it was a little earthier, mellower, on the low end. B was definitely brighter sounding to me. I definitely love my Florida model but I will never make it sound like Jamie.
They were very similar, but B had a bigger sound, especially when you played above high G. I play an Otto Link Tone Edge on alto. I had to flatten the table to get it to seal properly, but now it plays well. I like it that you played Misty in the play test: I played it yesterday at a gig --- first time I played this tune in public and the first time I played soprano at a gig.
I have been playing Otto Link’s for a couple decades. I have 3 metal; an early Babbitt transitional and 2 STM 7* that sound different from one another. Also a Vintage series HR 7*. The price/sound comparison videos are all very interesting. Rarely is the “sound” difference worth a $500 price difference of a rare collectible. What would be good to include is the player’s impression of comfort and ease of playability. For example: I can use one reed on each mouthpiece. The reed will be effortless on one and a disaster on another. I also have 2 “boutique” hand finished pieces that cost 2-3 times more than an off the shelf new Link. They don’t sound that much different but, the playability is worth the cost…or so I tell myself.
Hi Jamie, even though the difference was quite subtle, I definitely preferred the sound of B, which was a little brighter, clearer. "A" sounded a tad stuffy in comparison..
@GetYourSaxTogether Jamie, my sax hero (!) 1) I say this having worked with Ted Nash, Scott Hamilton, Jerry Bergonzi, Ralph LaLama, et al., you, Jamie, have a great tone and great groove and great lines! 2) re: this video: There is definitely a difference… hence my choice in setup: Although I’m only now learning a new instrument (sax), I think you and I have virtually the same setup 22X,XXX Mark VI Vintage Metal Florida refaced 8* (but Ishimori ligature a la Chris Potter for me)… BUT I don’t play anywhere near my heroes: you inspire me Jamie ! 3) I was learning so much on your Inner Circle (!) but I’m still on tour conducting orchestras in Europe… and my legal family name just got fixed (finally!)… so, I will sign up again but under my fixed legal name after my tour. Thank you for your artistry and inspiration, Dr D
The florida link for me was more open and the sound felt bigger, more presence, more body. I thought the NY link sounded just a tad stuffy as compared to the Florida.
First of all I recognize your sound so I knew which one was yours :-) Secondly it's amazing how muffled the "new" one sounded compared to how bright the vintage one sounds. Definitely prefer the vintage Florida USA Link in this comparison!
Good video Jamie - thanks - B by a mile for me but it depends on the players preference I guess - also to say - if you get to your favourite sax shop when they've had a delivery of new Otto Links then try them all, in my experience they will all vary slightly and if you're lucky you'll find the one that speaks to you (not literally of course!!)
B is brighter, more useful for me in many situation. I play a Ponzol 110 tip with a moveable baffle, sounds like B with baffle forward, A with baffle back or out.
I liked B but I really agree with majority of the sound quality coming from the player not the gear. It makes sense to me as I am a vocalist as well. I just finished comparing 3 different mouthpieces and ended up still preferring my old Morgan Excalibur 6E because it feels and plays just right. Thank you Jamie! BTW how is the studio coming along?
That wasn't so hard, but only because all we had to figure out was which one sounded most like all your other videos! I thought the vintage Florida was brighter, but I liked the darkness of the new one too.
In my experience looking online it seems like Florida links on alto are actually cheaper than you think. You can find some pretty good quality ones for $400-600 The tenor ones are for sure $850+ though Also I like B. Sounds a lot more powerful and clear. My guess would be that one is the Florida model but if I'm wrong then that's great because it means there's no reason to buy such expensive mpcs
I'm a little late to the comments... All IMO, I'm not an expert. It makes sense which is which... I guess after watching other videos and reading up on these mouthpieces, they went through many changes from the NY piece the new one is modeled from, and the vintage FL USA stamp model. IIRC before moving to larger tips in FL, they had a longer facing and more of a smaller roll baffle closer to the tip - with most being on the lower end of tip openings like 4 to 5 or 6 or around there. Later on they shortened the facing a little more to allow for larger tips, and went to more of a shelf baffle. So it'd make sense that the NY model has the tone it does, and your later FL link sounds as it does. FWIW I happened into a vintage FL double ring 3* (that seems like it's still pretty closed, I don't think it was ever opened or touched and the facing measured in the ballpark) and it would be interesting to compare it to a modern throwback model with a larger tip and different baffle, which I'll do at some point although I'm not good enough to make a video... I also have a older 30's link for my Alto that has no baffle and it was a somewhat expensive idea that turned into a paperweight. Which is the big mystery to buying a vintage link, unless there are measurements posted with it you really don't really know what it is or how it will play. My 3* double ring will be worlds different than your 8(*), which in turn will be a lot different than earlier pieces which may or may not have a baffle at all. The best part of the video is you're able to play one off the shelf without having someone touch it up. =) *edited since I called facing a table, like I said not an expert...
Great comment thanks. You said I could play a new link out the box, but I better you anything it’ll be transformed by a reface! I don’t like playing it much TBT. 🤫
@@GetYourSaxTogether Well things change, but then nothing changes. I didn't do much more research than a quick google search, but it seems refacing is around a few hundred dollars here across the pond in the US. I'm guessing any touchups needed would be true to that or on the lower end of any pricing. So that wouldn't be a bad way to step into a vintage Link, and less of a gamble or surprise than buying a vintage on off ebay and wondering what's all been done with it.
Test B was the better for me, Sonny was brighter, Misty was warmer. Your last notes on Misty was telling for the new link as your tone wavered a little 😊
excellent vid as ever - and although I thought B had a very slightly 'warmer' sound, that didn't mean I could tell if it was yours or the new off the shelf!
B def sounded better and worth the extra 500 bucks. Plus you hit the nail on the head when you talked about how it 'feels'. A great feel is what makes you happy and is priceless, well you know what I mean.
To my ears B sounded fresher, a bit more highs, therefore more flexible. A was darker almost a bit muffled to produce a so called vintage jazz tone. I would definitely prefer B.
From my tinny laptop speakers I can tell the second mouthpiece has a brighter tone. I'd like the first one better for ambiance music and the second one would be better for standing out. For tone, the player should be more important than gear. It takes my young students quite a while to develop a nice tone on anything - even a Selmer C* which are a very nice sounding and easy mouthpiece to play. I'm not so much interested whether one is vintage or not, but I am interested in the tip opening, chamber size and baffle. I wouldn't be at all surprised to learn that the second mouthpiece has a higher baffle than the first giving the sound more 'cut'. As I was typing this you revealed at 8:16 that this is a Florida Link which has a rollover baffle which is brighter than the NY Link - so much so I can tell over my laptop speakers.
@@GetYourSaxTogether By the way, I find your tone especially juicy on the Florida Link mouthpiece. If that piece every gets damaged you may not need to go out of your way to find another. If you have an opportunity, I recommend giving a Theo Wanne Gaia a try. They ain't cheap but you'll be able to get one, at least.
The vintage Florida sounded better to me right off the start. I guessed correctly and I prefer it. I just sent a modern Super Tone Master to my re-facer and he flat out told me - these can be improved but will never be as good as the ones from the Florida era. I wonder how the new off-the-shelf Florida model would be like, as the model you selected for the comparison was the new NY. Thanks.
I prefer B. It was a bit brighter, more present, and more flexible in tone. I'm gonna take a guess at why the modern Link is longer. Perhaps it's longer, so you can jam the mouthpiece onto the neck a bit further. I find that the saxophone sound opens up more if it's a tiny bit sharp.
Preferred the sound of A, which is good because I play a regular STM7! However it was very very slight (a bit arbitrary perhaps?). I very nearly could not tell the difference! I realised a while ago after chasing the "perfect" mouthpiece sound that what you say is TOTALLY true: the sound comes from the player! I can't sound like David Sanborn or Candy Dulfer, I can only sound like me, sure mouthpieces can make me brighter or darker etc....but I can only ever sound like me! Very liberating and disappointing!
REally couldn't tell the differenece until we got to Misty - definitely preferred A for this: the tied notes sounded mellower, and the short notes crisper. Since that's my preferred genre anyway, that saves me a bunch of dosh if i want to change my current mouthpiece - thanks!
The B is more stable, a little brighter, they both sound incredible, you will have to take them to the extreme ... and see how they behave, it would be fun. Thanks for your time!!
Yeh, agreed. It’s not really a fair comparison though I guess. I should have tested it against a modern FL. I just didn’t have a spare $400 to buy one. Quick question - why is the NY so much longer than the vinty FL, and why doesn’t it affect the tuning? I didn’t say it in the video but I also noticed that the shank was ever so slightly wider on the NY.
@@GetYourSaxTogether I think it's fair! The new FL is not anything like a vintage Florida, and neither is the NY. They are completely new designs and so everything is different. Like trying to find what part of a Mark VI the Reference actually references, ha. It's good to show that. The NY was built with a bigger chamber and body, and I imagine the tuning is the same because it's a balance of all the other factors that are also different.
@@SaxSpy cheers Derek. Maybe if I refaced the NY that would help too. Hey, while you’re here, could you go to this video ua-cam.com/video/ZdK7VdadkkE/v-deo.html and skip to the soprano set up. I’d love you to identify my sop MP!
B sounds more « brilliant », more open, for the high notes. I could not really hear a difference in the bass though. For me « A » sounded more « vintage », like in a old mono recording when you don’t really get all the frequences of the instrument. It’s funny that the old one actually sounds more modern.
I chose B as the vintage because it sounded more open with a resonant ring, and more consistent between registers. A little more buzz at times. The modern links are a little muffled I think. But if you only played the modern, I would think it sounds great! I prefer the vintage.
I thought "B" had a slightly fuller sound, listening through the crappy little speakers on my tv. I will try it again tomorrow (it's 11:30pm here and my wife is sleeping) maybe the difference will be more pronounced with the computer speakers.
I gave a small nod to B but honestly, if I listened again tomorrow I might just as easily like A better (by a small margin). I think the sound is 99% Jamie and 1% the MP and horn. The more significant difference is in how they "feel" to the player. When playing, one can often perceive subtle physical differences that are not reflected in the sound at all. In my opinion, that is what accounts for the primary differences in similar MP's and horns.
Your classic Florida link was much brighter and clearer, whereas the new model was warmer but less precise. I guess it down to personal choice and perhaps even dependent on the sound you need for the playing situation? So you might need both to cover all bases
Thanks. I am creating a list of requests for future shootouts. Meanwhile, I'm back at my central focus of creating useful and practical music lessons for all of you. Cheers 😎
I honestly heard no difference. Not much of a gear-head either. I’ve played on exactly 3 tenor mouthpieces. A C**, an Otto Link STM 5 or 5* (cannot remember) which I lost when I didn’t have a tenor and therefore no tenor case to store it in, and my current mouthpiece which is an Otto Link STM 9 which I bought after I finally bought a tenor years after not having played but had been working on air flow for other horns so I decided I would need a more open tip. Worked out so well after months of getting used to it but it was all worth it!
I thought B was better the moment I first heard it. A sounded dampened by comparison, like under a blanket…B was so rich and full but clear and with more stark tone (which I guess more my taste). I prefer a more aggressive tone.
I recently purchased a used tenor sax with a like new vintage A Gigliotti 7G* tenor mouth piece. What would it be worth and as an intermediate played, should I be using it?
B Sounds better to me and I thought it was the vintage piece, there is not much difference and both sounded like you so could the difference be that you are more comfortable with your own mouthpiece and not as familiar with the new one?
Hello and Thank you for all! You must be do reface your modern link by Pat Morisson (Saxophone boutique France) you can phone him in english no prob and he will make for you a personnalized and fantastic mouthpiece, realy !!! You Can Say about "Padawan" my surname (Guillaume) thanks a lot for your honest and richs vidéos ! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻😊
I heard a slight difference. The B was a bit brighter. Not a $400 difference though. You would do just fine on a stock mouithpiece unless it is more difficult to blow.
Within the first few seconds of you playing, I had a guess…and it turned out to be right. A sounded like it had a narrower sound profile, even sounding a bit muffled compared to B. B sounded both brighter and more complex. You’re clearly more comfortable playing B-it’s a great mouthpiece-but there was a really blatant difference in sound beyond that!
Yeh it’s true Steve. 👍🏻
Thank you for a clearly fair and objective play comparison. I am honored to be the new (14 months now) owner of JJ Babbitt and it's Otto Link, Meyer, Hite brands along with many others. I'm a music industry veteran and committed to our history and legacy so I truly appreciate you and those that keep our heritage alive in this way. Keep it up and again, many thanks.
SR
Steve, Jamie would love to have a conversation. Drop a note please to info@getyoursaxtogether.com and he will follow-up. Thanks! Larry K. (Jamie's assistant)
They both sounded quite good but I'd give the edge to B. You where more versatile on mouthpiece B and it was a bit brighter, which probably helped in the versatility.
Well spotted!
I'm normally not one to notice differences but B sounded less stuffy, you sound beautiful on it man
Thanks!
You sound fab on Both! Preach it brother Anderson: The Gear Matters Not, for the Player Holds the Sounds. Aaaaaaaaa-men. When in doubt, I tend to choose the shiny one. Have a great week my friend!
Thanks Wally. Maybe I’ll try one of those weird west coast pieces you love one day and see if that’s still the case. Better get myself a 5.5 Reed or something so I don’t feel like I’m choking on my own oxygen. 😆
Jamie, IMO the New York model wasn't as edgy as your Florida link. I thought the New York sounded better being more mellow on the Misty demo. Whereas the Florida cut through better on the pop jazz music
They were similar but I actually preferred the tone of A
Cool thanks 😊
I have a new New York model from Babbit ( New York model has a huge chamber like the ones from the 30´s and 40´s) It plays GREAT. But it is well made. And that is an exception from the norm with
Babbits today. I have other newer Links that play well also. The Link is the best all arounder as you say Jamie. When I am in the studio, I always have a Link with me. There are great ones and not great ones.
There are dark ones and bright ones. This is a really cool comparison, thank you very much!
I could hear that that A was the the New York model because the sound was darker owing to a much
larger chamber. A large chamber mouthpiece is better in a smaller opening and with a softer reed because the mouthpiece is providing the resistance not the reed. You might have had a more familiar feel with a new super tone master 8* than with the New York model.
Really interesting points actually. Thanks. 🙏🏻
Your playing is fantastic as usual. So, rather than watch the video and see you switch between mouthpieces, I closed my eyes and just listened to you play. Three times, I heard no discernible differences, both pieces sounded the same. I listened using a pair of sennheiser 280 headphones so the sound source was good. You could play the new piece in any situation (live or recording) and nobody would know you’re playing a different mouthpiece.
Thanks mike. 🙏🏻
Listened through Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro headphones using vintage (1953) ears. No discernible difference to me. I'm convinced (once again) that the sound tone and texture comes from the player's mind and vocal tract. Thanks as always Jamie. These videos are the highlight of my Sundays.
Thanks Larry. And especially thank you for all the coffee you’ve generous donated. 🙏🏻
Sunday is the best day of the week because we can have our sax together....!👍✌🎷
Yay!
I liked "B" better, it had an edge that was subtle and the low notes were gorgeous. Good demo, keep up the enthusiasm, it's infectious (in a good way!)
Thanks so much Stacey! 🙏🏻
The Florida had the ‘edge’ on the New Link, I guessed B was the Florida which sounded more centred (but you made them both sound great) …almost a tie but the Florida gets the prize!
Cool, thanks!
B sounds fuller and brighter. I bought my Link in 1972 just before they moved from Florida
Sounds like we’ve got the same type of link.
Hey thanks for the shout out :)
anytime bro! I bow to your phenomenal geekery and knowledge... thanks for all the great content. :-)
Speaking from a position of almost total ignorance, I would say that 'B' sounded
smoother and fuller and as though it was more effortless for you to play.
Good observation.
I think it's about feeling. I prefer The B. B => sligthly more rich and detailled sound. Thanks for your work Jamie - Hello from Paris
Hey Alex, thanks for that 🙏🏻
I noticed a precision and clarity on B. I liked it better. Sounded cleaner. On Misty I didn’t have a preference.
I have a “vintage” berg Larson that came with my Mark VI but it feels like how you are describing the new one: restricted a bit. This was fascinating - thank you!
Thanks for watching David. 🙏🏻
Hello,
in this video you do compare not only different ages, but also two different constructions. The FL has a small baffle behind the tip but the NY has no baffle at all. The NY sounds even darker than the standard Link.
I own both models (new standard otto link STM and the NY) and can tell that by experience.
What if you compare the the old FL with the new "100th anniversary" FL model?
Yeh that would have been a slightly better comparison actually. I just had the NY and couldn’t spend another $400 for the video! 😂
I'll second that. Although I'm not an expert, in doing research about my FL 3* double ring tenor it seems they went through baffle changes, facing lengths, and obviously tip openings from NY to larger tip FL models. Interesting too my 3* seems to have been made later in the production run and has a smaller rollover baffle, while at the same time they were doing more (iirc) table style baffles with larger tips. So at some point they seem to have been hand making these somewhat one off, which makes buying them this much later all that much more fun.
So yeah, the different sounds make complete sense.
I liked B better. It was brighter when you pushed it, but it also had a richer sound with more body. Regarding a comment below about a Link with a warped table, I purchased a Link in the 70s that never played well for me so it sat in a drawer for 15 years. I finally had a refacer take a look at it and he flattened the table which made all the difference in the world.
Yeh, the finishing is notoriously variable. That also made it an unfair test as well. I should have had the new one refaced, but then again most people wouldn’t do that.
B Sounds slightly brighter to me. I am using my Tannoy speakers and headphones separately. Both sound so good. I used 7* hard rubber or metal and love them both.
Cool, thanks robin. 👍🏻
What I hear is Jamie Anderson!
Yeeeeeees!!!
I pick B. It sounds more crisp and focused.
Good choice!
I believe their is a discernible difference even though not all agree. I thought B was slightly brighter but didn't pick up much beyond that. Which sounds better is probably just a matter of personal difference and taste. I play a Berg Larson and love it for its power, brightness but also flexibility. The same things you love about your vintage Otto.
Sure thing. Nice comment. 👍🏻
Improve your playing instantly with this FREE one hour Masterclass! www.getyoursaxtogether.com/masterclass
Hi Jamie,
Remember when I bought my Otto link Florida super tone 7 for my tenor? The 100th anniversary special remake.
It has a smooth sound.
Definitely the price you mentioned.
The ones you played have a very subtle difference but your sound is brilliant as always. 🎷🤓
Oh and yes B was my choice also.
Thanks Carlos. Hope it’s all going well! 🙏🏻
Having inherited a Florida Otto link from my dad @ 30 years ago I figured I could hear the difference. I picked A because I thought it was a little earthier, mellower, on the low end. B was definitely brighter sounding to me. I definitely love my Florida model but I will never make it sound like Jamie.
Well, the beauty is, I can never sound like YOU either!
They were very similar, but B had a bigger sound, especially when you played above high G. I play an Otto Link Tone Edge on alto. I had to flatten the table to get it to seal properly, but now it plays well. I like it that you played Misty in the play test: I played it yesterday at a gig --- first time I played this tune in public and the first time I played soprano at a gig.
Good stuff Rob! Thanks for the comment.
Ver similar. I prefer A ....more mellow sound.
Cool 😎
I have been playing Otto Link’s for a couple decades. I have 3 metal; an early Babbitt transitional and 2 STM 7* that sound different from one another. Also a Vintage series HR 7*. The price/sound comparison videos are all very interesting. Rarely is the “sound” difference worth a $500 price difference of a rare collectible. What would be good to include is the player’s impression of comfort and ease of playability. For example: I can use one reed on each mouthpiece. The reed will be effortless on one and a disaster on another. I also have 2 “boutique” hand finished pieces that cost 2-3 times more than an off the shelf new Link. They don’t sound that much different but, the playability is worth the cost…or so I tell myself.
Really great comment. 👍🏻
Both sounded great but I found myself drawn towards b all the time it sounded more sharper clearer
Thanks for sharing!
Hi Jamie, even though the difference was quite subtle, I definitely preferred the sound of B, which was a little brighter, clearer. "A" sounded a tad stuffy in comparison..
A good choice sir!
@GetYourSaxTogether
Jamie, my sax hero (!)
1) I say this having worked with Ted Nash, Scott Hamilton, Jerry Bergonzi, Ralph LaLama, et al.,
you, Jamie, have a great tone and great groove and great lines!
2) re: this video: There is definitely a difference… hence my choice in setup:
Although I’m only now learning a new instrument (sax), I think you and I have virtually the same setup
22X,XXX Mark VI
Vintage Metal Florida refaced 8*
(but Ishimori ligature a la Chris Potter for me)…
BUT I don’t play anywhere near my heroes: you inspire me Jamie !
3) I was learning so much on your Inner Circle (!) but I’m still on tour conducting orchestras in Europe… and my legal family name just got fixed (finally!)… so, I will sign up again but under my fixed legal name after my tour.
Thank you for your artistry and inspiration,
Dr D
Awesome. See you in the ICM!
The vintage mouthpiece has a much warmer and brighter sound, a good find there!
Hey Josh. Thanks man. 👍🏻
The florida link for me was more open and the sound felt bigger, more presence, more body. I thought the NY link sounded just a tad stuffy as compared to the Florida.
Cool, thanks 😊
First of all I recognize your sound so I knew which one was yours :-)
Secondly it's amazing how muffled the "new" one sounded compared to how bright the vintage one sounds.
Definitely prefer the vintage Florida USA Link in this comparison!
Cool, thanks!
Good video Jamie - thanks - B by a mile for me but it depends on the players preference I guess - also to say - if you get to your favourite sax shop when they've had a delivery of new Otto Links then try them all, in my experience they will all vary slightly and if you're lucky you'll find the one that speaks to you (not literally of course!!)
Thanks for the suggestion 😊
B is brighter, more useful for me in many situation. I play a Ponzol 110 tip with a moveable baffle, sounds like B with baffle forward, A with baffle back or out.
Cool. 👍🏻
I liked B but I really agree with majority of the sound quality coming from the player not the gear. It makes sense to me as I am a vocalist as well.
I just finished comparing 3 different mouthpieces and ended up still preferring my old Morgan Excalibur 6E because it feels and plays just right. Thank you Jamie! BTW how is the studio coming along?
Studio’s almost finished thanks, and thanks for the great comment 👍🏻
That wasn't so hard, but only because all we had to figure out was which one sounded most like all your other videos!
I thought the vintage Florida was brighter, but I liked the darkness of the new one too.
Cool, thanks Pat!
In my experience looking online it seems like Florida links on alto are actually cheaper than you think. You can find some pretty good quality ones for $400-600
The tenor ones are for sure $850+ though
Also I like B. Sounds a lot more powerful and clear. My guess would be that one is the Florida model but if I'm wrong then that's great because it means there's no reason to buy such expensive mpcs
I great guess!
I liked the Florida Vintage Otto Link
Cool, thanks. 🙏🏻
Could tell B was yours right away actually, had that Florida "edge".
Yeh, a connoisseur like you would know mate! 🤛🏻
I agree with the comments below "B" was the vintage model!
👌🏻
I'm a little late to the comments... All IMO, I'm not an expert.
It makes sense which is which... I guess after watching other videos and reading up on these mouthpieces, they went through many changes from the NY piece the new one is modeled from, and the vintage FL USA stamp model. IIRC before moving to larger tips in FL, they had a longer facing and more of a smaller roll baffle closer to the tip - with most being on the lower end of tip openings like 4 to 5 or 6 or around there. Later on they shortened the facing a little more to allow for larger tips, and went to more of a shelf baffle.
So it'd make sense that the NY model has the tone it does, and your later FL link sounds as it does.
FWIW I happened into a vintage FL double ring 3* (that seems like it's still pretty closed, I don't think it was ever opened or touched and the facing measured in the ballpark) and it would be interesting to compare it to a modern throwback model with a larger tip and different baffle, which I'll do at some point although I'm not good enough to make a video... I also have a older 30's link for my Alto that has no baffle and it was a somewhat expensive idea that turned into a paperweight.
Which is the big mystery to buying a vintage link, unless there are measurements posted with it you really don't really know what it is or how it will play. My 3* double ring will be worlds different than your 8(*), which in turn will be a lot different than earlier pieces which may or may not have a baffle at all.
The best part of the video is you're able to play one off the shelf without having someone touch it up. =)
*edited since I called facing a table, like I said not an expert...
Great comment thanks. You said I could play a new link out the box, but I better you anything it’ll be transformed by a reface! I don’t like playing it much TBT. 🤫
@@GetYourSaxTogether Well things change, but then nothing changes.
I didn't do much more research than a quick google search, but it seems refacing is around a few hundred dollars here across the pond in the US. I'm guessing any touchups needed would be true to that or on the lower end of any pricing.
So that wouldn't be a bad way to step into a vintage Link, and less of a gamble or surprise than buying a vintage on off ebay and wondering what's all been done with it.
logic - longer one - A- allowed lower frequencies ie B attenuated those - assume chamber design is similar
Interesting point 🧐
Test B was the better for me, Sonny was brighter, Misty was warmer. Your last notes on Misty was telling for the new link as your tone wavered a little 😊
Thanks Neil. 👍🏻
Yes it is the A is darker Then B, I did the test by closing my eyes and I did know when you play A or B
Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
I preferred the tone of A. It was warmer.
👍🏻
A especially n the ballad
Cool 😎
I like A, the vintage, and feel is important. I have a vintage NY Master link Four Star in perfect condition but I don't have a Mark VI.
Nice one Bill. 👍🏻
as he said its how a mouthpiece feels ,if it feels right that will make a big difference in how you sound
👍🏻
I could tell right away that you felt more comfy with B
Yeh, it’s true actually.
Preferred B-it was clearer; more open sound ; more immediate response ;brighter and more power
So nice to know it was the vintage link
Cool, thanks john.
A is the best.
Smooth and more clear
🙏
excellent vid as ever - and although I thought B had a very slightly 'warmer' sound, that didn't mean I could tell if it was yours or the new off the shelf!
Thanks 🙏🏻
B def sounded better and worth the extra 500 bucks. Plus you hit the nail on the head when you talked about how it 'feels'. A great feel is what makes you happy and is priceless, well you know what I mean.
For sure. 👍🏻
To my ears B sounded fresher, a bit more highs, therefore more flexible. A was darker almost a bit muffled to produce a so called vintage jazz tone.
I would definitely prefer B.
Cool. Good choice imo!
From my tinny laptop speakers I can tell the second mouthpiece has a brighter tone. I'd like the first one better for ambiance music and the second one would be better for standing out. For tone, the player should be more important than gear. It takes my young students quite a while to develop a nice tone on anything - even a Selmer C* which are a very nice sounding and easy mouthpiece to play. I'm not so much interested whether one is vintage or not, but I am interested in the tip opening, chamber size and baffle. I wouldn't be at all surprised to learn that the second mouthpiece has a higher baffle than the first giving the sound more 'cut'. As I was typing this you revealed at 8:16 that this is a Florida Link which has a rollover baffle which is brighter than the NY Link - so much so I can tell over my laptop speakers.
There you go. You’ve got a good ear. 👍🏻
@@GetYourSaxTogether By the way, I find your tone especially juicy on the Florida Link mouthpiece. If that piece every gets damaged you may not need to go out of your way to find another. If you have an opportunity, I recommend giving a Theo Wanne Gaia a try. They ain't cheap but you'll be able to get one, at least.
A sounded darker, smokier somehow. I prefer that sound rather than anything too clean
Cool, thanks 🙏🏻
I like the A. B is just a fraction brighter . Dont know which is the vintage as I am just listening mow
Cool. 😎
B was clearly better sounding to me. Question, though; does it make a difference that one is a FL and one is a NY Link?
Probably!! 🤣
A sounded dark and mellow. I preferred it to B, which sounded a little bright and edgy. I'm a Lester Young fsn, though.
Cool, thanks. ☺️
The vintage Florida sounded better to me right off the start. I guessed correctly and I prefer it. I just sent a modern Super Tone Master to my re-facer and he flat out told me - these can be improved but will never be as good as the ones from the Florida era. I wonder how the new off-the-shelf Florida model would be like, as the model you selected for the comparison was the new NY. Thanks.
Yeh I should have tried it with the new Florida!
Very similar, but I prefer the B
Good choice 👍🏻
I prefer B. It was a bit brighter, more present, and more flexible in tone.
I'm gonna take a guess at why the modern Link is longer. Perhaps it's longer, so you can jam the mouthpiece
onto the neck a bit further. I find that the saxophone sound opens up more if it's a tiny bit sharp.
👍
Preferred the sound of A, which is good because I play a regular STM7! However it was very very slight (a bit arbitrary perhaps?). I very nearly could not tell the difference! I realised a while ago after chasing the "perfect" mouthpiece sound that what you say is TOTALLY true: the sound comes from the player! I can't sound like David Sanborn or Candy Dulfer, I can only sound like me, sure mouthpieces can make me brighter or darker etc....but I can only ever sound like me! Very liberating and disappointing!
Very true. 👍🏻
I liked the A because It sounds dark.
Thanks 🙏🏻
REally couldn't tell the differenece until we got to Misty - definitely preferred A for this: the tied notes sounded mellower, and the short notes crisper. Since that's my preferred genre anyway, that saves me a bunch of dosh if i want to change my current mouthpiece - thanks!
Cool man. 😎
The B is more stable, a little brighter, they both sound incredible, you will have to take them to the extreme ... and see how they behave, it would be fun. Thanks for your time!!
Thanks for watching ☺️
B is my choice - the A seems a little stuffier, which was my experience with the STM NY's
Yeh, agreed. It’s not really a fair comparison though I guess. I should have tested it against a modern FL. I just didn’t have a spare $400 to buy one.
Quick question - why is the NY so much longer than the vinty FL, and why doesn’t it affect the tuning?
I didn’t say it in the video but I also noticed that the shank was ever so slightly wider on the NY.
@@GetYourSaxTogether I think it's fair! The new FL is not anything like a vintage Florida, and neither is the NY. They are completely new designs and so everything is different. Like trying to find what part of a Mark VI the Reference actually references, ha. It's good to show that.
The NY was built with a bigger chamber and body, and I imagine the tuning is the same because it's a balance of all the other factors that are also different.
@@SaxSpy cheers Derek. Maybe if I refaced the NY that would help too. Hey, while you’re here, could you go to this video ua-cam.com/video/ZdK7VdadkkE/v-deo.html and skip to the soprano set up. I’d love you to identify my sop MP!
I prefer the A
Thanks 😊
B sounds more « brilliant », more open, for the high notes. I could not really hear a difference in the bass though. For me « A » sounded more « vintage », like in a old mono recording when you don’t really get all the frequences of the instrument.
It’s funny that the old one actually sounds more modern.
Yeah, weird 😳
I chose B as the vintage because it sounded more open with a resonant ring, and more consistent between registers. A little more buzz at times. The modern links are a little muffled I think. But if you only played the modern, I would think it sounds great! I prefer the vintage.
👍
like the florida most
I guess i do too!
I guessed the other way 🤷♀️ interesting anyhow 🎶🎷🎶
👍🏻
Hi Jamie, for me B sounded sharper and A was a softer sound? If I can hear any difference 🤷♂️ Anyway my wife seems to think the same as me.
Thanks Ady 🙏🏻
B for sure
Thanks 🙏🏻
I thought "B" had a slightly fuller sound, listening through the crappy little speakers on my tv. I will try it again tomorrow (it's 11:30pm here and my wife is sleeping) maybe the difference will be more pronounced with the computer speakers.
We’ll see 😁
@@GetYourSaxTogether I love my King Zephyr!
I liked B better and honestly thought...maybe it is the new mcp. You sounded very comfortable with your Florida Link. Go figure
Thanks for commenting!
I gave a small nod to B but honestly, if I listened again tomorrow I might just as easily like A better (by a small margin). I think the sound is 99% Jamie and 1% the MP and horn. The more significant difference is in how they "feel" to the player. When playing, one can often perceive subtle physical differences that are not reflected in the sound at all. In my opinion, that is what accounts for the primary differences in similar MP's and horns.
Great comment!
Your classic Florida link was much brighter and clearer, whereas the new model was warmer but less precise. I guess it down to personal choice and perhaps even dependent on the sound you need for the playing situation? So you might need both to cover all bases
Thanks for the comment 👍🏻
Nice comparison, have you ever thought about doing a review of the Yamaha CM (Custom series)? I cant seem to find any info about them on YT.
Thanks. I am creating a list of requests for future shootouts. Meanwhile, I'm back at my central focus of creating useful and practical music lessons for all of you. Cheers 😎
The FL Link is brighter. The core sound is the same on both. Playing side by side in quick snippets made it much easier to compare.
Thanks Mark. 🙏🏻
I honestly heard no difference. Not much of a gear-head either. I’ve played on exactly 3 tenor mouthpieces. A C**, an Otto Link STM 5 or 5* (cannot remember) which I lost when I didn’t have a tenor and therefore no tenor case to store it in, and my current mouthpiece which is an Otto Link STM 9 which I bought after I finally bought a tenor years after not having played but had been working on air flow for other horns so I decided I would need a more open tip. Worked out so well after months of getting used to it but it was all worth it!
Yeh I’m not one to tinker really.
Ha, I was just going to ask if one feels better to you when you mentioned it.
I guessed correctly, but it was just that to be honest.
Good call 👍🏻
I thought B was better the moment I first heard it. A sounded dampened by comparison, like under a blanket…B was so rich and full but clear and with more stark tone (which I guess more my taste). I prefer a more aggressive tone.
👍
Not about what I like. It's about what you (the player) likes!
Wise comment!
I recently purchased a used tenor sax with a like new vintage A Gigliotti 7G* tenor mouth piece. What would it be worth and as an intermediate played, should I be using it?
That’s a question I don’t know the answer to. Try the @Sax Spy channel?
I prefer A.
Thanks 🙏🏻
B Sounds better to me and I thought it was the vintage piece, there is not much difference and both sounded like you so could the difference be that you are more comfortable with your own mouthpiece and not as familiar with the new one?
Yeh, fair point.
I preferred B as it had a bit more brilliance to its tone.
👍
To me the intonation was better on A but B had a brighter sound.
Thanks 😊
The round sound of Florida is really full of fashion
I hear ya! lol
Do you like ebonite's otto link new vintage? Greetings Brazil.
Haven’t tried it I’m afraid 😳
Hello and Thank you for all! You must be do reface your modern link by Pat Morisson (Saxophone boutique France) you can phone him in english no prob and he will make for you a personnalized and fantastic mouthpiece, realy !!! You Can Say about "Padawan" my surname (Guillaume) thanks a lot for your honest and richs vidéos ! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻😊
Ok, thanks man. I hope everyone else has seen this comment. My vintage has definitely been refaced at some point, you can see it.
what ligature are you using on your modern otto link?
Rovner Versa I think.
I heard a slight difference. The B was a bit brighter. Not a $400 difference though. You would do just fine on a stock mouithpiece unless it is more difficult to blow.
👍🏻
I couldn't really tell the difference, but I seemed to feel that A had a slightly better sound.
Cool ☺️
B sounds brighter to me so I'm guessing B for the vintage mp 👍
Yup!
B is brighter A smoother
Sure. Thanks 🙏🏻