Otto Link STM Mouthpiece Battle | 100 Year Anniversary Florida Review & Comparison
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 24 มิ.ย. 2019
- #bettersax #saxophone #mouthpiece
Jay Metcalf play tests and compares Otto Link Saxophone Mouthpieces.
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BLIND TEST ANSWER
A - Florida B - Standard (REFACED)
Otto Link Super Tone Master tenor saxophone mouthpiece 7*
amzn.to/2IKZ275
100 Year Anniversary Florida Otto Link STM
imp.i114863.net/WDv0vn
PHIL ENGLEMAN Custom Mouthpieces and Refacing
phil-tone.com/
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I absolutely enjoy your sound. very great! Thank you so much for sharing. I'm mainly a tenor player but I enjoy your alto, soprano and baritone sound as well.
I selected the "B" in the blind taste test. It had a fuller rounder sound to me.
Finally the review I was looking for!
Great sound both.
I feel by blind that
A, was a little bit softly... and
B, a little bit brighter.
Nice video, amazing sound and very well played. Congrats Jay.!
Thanks I agree that B sounds clearer. When a mouthpiece is refaced well, it plays much better.
Cristian W. Fath I agree but hear that A is a little darker not stuffy
I agree, your not alone
Pretty much this.
The both sound amazing.
B brighter
I agree that we would like an alto metal mouthpiece battle pleaseeee!!! But I just wanna day thank you for being such a dependable TH-cam channel for saxophonists and I look forward to watching each and every one of your new videos!
Thanks!
Ayyyy he actually listened to my comment awesome I love it, but I asked for the battle before I bought the mouthpiece, I own one now though and I love it. I love it when creators read the comments. Keep making the great vids!
Which did you get the 100year anniversary?
Better Sax I got the og I can’t afford that lol
Better Sax how hard is it to get a standard stm with a perfect seal
A&B sounded the same when NOT playing the octave, on the octave the B was Brighter. Great video.
the refaced link has a better response, I agree.
B sounds way more projecting and direct, my favorite!🔥
A - Warm, broad, but lacks some focus IMO.
B - Has much more focus and a bit more body and power in the mid frequencies but still that characteristic warmth of the STM.
I prefer B and its focus, which sounds like there is a greater core characteristic to the sound.
You also did answer all my questions of it without even asking!😂👍🏼
B for Broad!
It has a broad and bright sound that I really like to hear.
The tenor pieces both sounded terrific. The difference is less than the difference between 2 reeds from the same box.
I really liked the A. sound.
In the lower register they were very similar to me, but in the higher notes the B seemed more projected, bright and precise.
The A. made me feel things and the B. Made me pay attention to what was played if that makes sense…
Nice comparison video, Jay.
I note more differences between A and B when playing the second octave where B sounds more bright. “A” mouthpiece sounds warmer to me , but “B” sounds clearer. As I said , the differences are more notorious when playing the second octave. You have a very good tone on both. Thanks for your videos ....
B gets my vote.... seems to be more centered. A sounds very close. In my experience there are times a mouthpiece records well but in a live situation it feels inadequate . Great test.
Glad I watched this video. I was about to order the Florida to possibly replace my STM, but I really didn't want a mpc less bright that the STM. The STM definitely has a brighter sound in the comparisons, without sacrificing fullness.
For me the A in the A/B comparison sounded by far the best. Had a really satisfying stable, round sound. Very traditional sounding without being too spread or too focused.
I tried both (8*).Great sound! STM has more deepness in the low notes (accoding to me). I was to buy it, when the seller looked in my sax case and saw my own mouthpiece an old Florida 7. He asked me to trie it to make a test: it sounded with doouble volume than the new ones, and the sound was more focused. He refused to sell me the ne saying: "You have a Ferrari and want to by a Mercedes?" I liked the idea to play with a more open mouthpiece and the gold was so bright! They look so good! Your compare is very good., but your sound is SO good that everything you play sound well! Thank you. Good job!
I bought myself the stm 6 (alto) and my bite plate is also not strait. It sounds more like B. I do love it!! Thanks for teaching me more about this mouthpiece after I purchased it!
So good sound by both! I have played many years with an Otto Link tone edge7- rubber, on my old Cleveland tenor, and it was a good soun with Vandoren java.
Later i bought my Selmer Aristocrat and was good too, but i change to a Meyer 7 in order to reach better definition and brigther high notes.
But i miss the smooth sound of the Link...
More top and definition to B. It seems more like classic jazz to me.
I have a regular Otto Link STM for my tenor which I am very happy with :)
Update: Well, as I hear the second playing it's obvious that B is the original STM.
thanks for the input. seems we are all in agreement
Just recently got my hands on an 8* of the FL after searching for a few months. I’ve been playing on a Retro Revival Tru Slant for a while and it’s a great mouthpiece, it’s just a bit dark for my horn. I’m loving the FL so far as it does a great job of getting that sound Otto link is known for while also having a lot more color (I.e. darker lows and able to brighten up top). Only issue I have and heard a lot of issues is the tightness on the cork.
Hey Jay! I appreciate all the great content you make. In these videos that contain sound examples it would be great if you could not use reverb. It smoothens the sax sound and tone and makes critical listening impossible. Let's enjoy the beautiful raw tone. Again love your videos, keep up the great work! Cheers
B, it’s sound a little more bright and clear than A. Here it’s notice the difference. Love your videos! You videos have quality, knowledge and a lot of passion! Greetings from Argentina!
Love this video
Nice comparison video Jay! I think they both sound great but B sounds a bit more personal and familiar so I guess this is your own (familiar) mpc. Thanks for the vid on this iconical mpc! 👏🏻
The old STM I've had a long time. but the reason it sounds better is because or the refacing work. It used to be very stuffy.
Better Sax well I guess Phil did a great job, by the sound of it! What I meant is I think you can hear the fact that you know this mpc so well 😊 you sound excellent man!
HI Jay. Thanks for another excellent video. Well, I liked A the best. The sounds it produced with you and your sax riding along connected. Totally subjective, but, that's how it gets around here!
I preferred b by far in the blind test. A sounded muffled, like it wasn't quite allowing itself to reach it's potential. But I have to say, once the blind test was over, it seemed to open up a bit more to me. Thanks as always for the time you put into these videos!
thanks
Typical, people hear with there eyes.
I bought a "New florida" 7* a couple of weeks ago, and I agree with your comments regarding ligature, finishing, neck fitting and refacing. I Heard about baffle issues, higher on the left than right for example, but it is jj babbit work... So it is a good MPC, that could be really really nice after a refacing work on it.
Very similar. A sounds mellower and B sounds brighter.
Do you think that you can do a review of a couple metal retro revival mouthpieces.
From what I’ve heard they are exact copies of old Otto links and I would love to know what your thoughts on the mouthpieces are.
I picked up a 100th anniversary florida, 6*. The table was perfectly flat, and I love it
Both of them sound good, so it is really a matter of personal taste.
I buying a Yani S991 soprano, and I've just ordered a OL STM 7* mouthpiece from Amazon because I was so impressed with the mellow tone (similar to a Durga but not so pricey). Thanks for the info about the need for corrective refacing. I'm also interested in getting one of Phil's sapphires one day..
I like the sound of both! I think B is brighter and more present. I think I prefer that but it's just preference.
Both sound great.
B sounds really bright, my choice.
Had a little closer look at the comments. As you see, people have very different opinions which sounds better to them. This is absolutely a great example why no one else can or should decide for you. In saxophone you search the tone and feeling you want to sound. The most important factor is you and the second is the mouthpiece. The more you sound as you want, the more you enjoy playing and the better you sound. The feel and the enjoy of music is where it all starts and ends in the end. That's where the soul joins in and that enjoy shifts from seperate sounds in the air into music. For me the best moments in music are improvised jams where I listen and react to others' ideas and throw my own ideas in the air with my sax or guitar and see others' reactions to them. I rip the best I can for the feel I want to express and see how it inspires myself and others. It feels like childish happy as there is no age factors in music. The focus to the moment at hand is so overwhelming.
If I could somehow tell how awesome it is to conversate in terms of music - listen what someone has to say with his instrument and respond to him with my own instrument, have a beautiful conversate loud and clear in the air in the way of music - in a way of language everyone understands perfectly - people would surely gasp. I simply can not tell you how awesome that is.
Got a little off track there. I ment to say A. I loved the deeper and softer sound of it. I felt more relaxing listening to it. The B was also good though. Maybe in a rock band I would even perform better with that one. Also mr Better Sax, awesome playing there in the end with both mouthpieces. I loved to close my eyes and enjoy what you had to tell us with your sax. You are awesome!
I really enjoyed both sounds, although B was my favorite. Both had an edgy sound that seems to fit tenor quite well. B was clearer and more focused.
I agree, and think it comes down to the refacing job.
So do we get a comparison video of the anniversary Florida model after it's touch-up?
Both sound good!
It's so sad that I have one and I can't use it. Everytime I try my lips hurt so much after 5 minutes playing. Any help with that?
While they are close in sound, I enjoyed A sound better. It has a bit more husky and woodsy sound. Call it a more retro sound.
Edward Carelli I agree.
(A) for me,darker warmer,creamier sound.(B) brighter with wider projection....
I have a question. What type of things do you notice when the read table is not flat? How does it affect the sound, the way the horn plays, does it feel like a leak?
Jay,
which reed were you playing ?
I have a otto link on my alto but i cant seem to use it properly, i dont know if there's a problem within me or if i have to get my mouthpiece fixed
B was the one for me.. Interesting to hear the refaced / worked New Florida.
I use an Otto link 7* it's a great mouthpiece but I like to play with a lot of subtone which the mouthpiece supports very well
"A" is definitely the older model. 'B' sounds great but a bit brighter. My 1970, 7* Link, cost me about $100.00. I've been offered $750.00 for it. My 2 Guardallas have seen offers upwards of $1500.00 but I won't sell any of them. Cheers and thanks for the comparison test!!
thanks for the comment, other way round....
After time I realized I only need 1 piece to play....having many just makes you waste time lurking around them.since I sold all my pieces and left just 1....I focused on playing and my progress in the last years is great.....by the way B is my choice 🎶😊🎷
Great vid as always Jay. B is my choice here . Please let us know when the Flor. MP comes back from the refacing process, also i would like to see a selmer soloist E or F mouthpiece comparison for Alto Sax. Greetings !!!
For a beginner how would one know if their mouthpiece needs a refacing?
I have a Otto Link STM that’s had some oxidation- I’ve had it for about 20 years. what’s the safest way to get it back to shining like new?
How can I tell if my NY STM needs adjustment or could benefit from adjustment? Mine plays great as far as I am concerned. Could it be better?
I have the same mouthpiece and sound good thanks
B is much brighter, but A is deeper for me
for my taste..i like more B MP..oerhaps more armoincs..? My setup is a floridated 8 OL ..is fantastic..but it´s very important to find a good soft reed...Gracias for your video. Fantastic sound and phrases...
"A" sounded stuffy," B" Sounds so much fuller.
The FL sounded warm and dark with really sexy subtone. The STM sounded great all-round. Can't say I prefer one over the other; I can think of situations where each would be superior to the other. Although, for less money than a new Link + reface, I'd probably just buy one of Phil's "budget" JZ's.
B just sounds a little fuller. I also have a Otto Link Super Tone Master but the New York version. Thanks for the ligature tip. The stock ligature not only wobble but also damage the reeds with the 4 pressure points it makes. I was not sure what ligature to swap out for until you advise those 3 on the video. Thanks again.
glad to help.
Either one sounds like you, and that’s what matters (goes without saying). I don’t have experience with the Link tenor mpcs, but bari STM I played in college big band. Loved the piece for its clarity with graininess, as you described. Response/resistance is just right, given that the bari’s response/resonance is good.
I voted B. I have some high frequency loss but I could hear wider range of frequencies in B
A appears sharper & brighter. B has a warmer & richer sound. I have been told by sax.co.uk that I have an Otto Link "Super" Tone Master 7* Florida. I've had this since 1990 having bought it from a colleague who had owned it for many years. Do you have any idea of it's value?
i have a stm for my baritone, that seals very well and plays great
I would like one of these for baritone...
I like the sound of A to use in a jazz quartet. And B is loud and has brighter sound to it. Good for a jazz fusion group. I’d go for the A. Jake what do you think of Yanagisawa T4? Thanks!
Never played a Yanagisawa T4. probably a good value for price horn though.
Super ! Merci pour le sous titre en Français 👍🏼
Hello from France.
I've bought a New florida. But it needs to be refaced.
And now it is good as my vintage florida.
Vincent Mineur from France
I prefer B. It seems to have a brighter sound in the high and middle notes, but a mellow sound on the lower notes.
B is the refaced link and although it has a larger chamber it does sound clearer.
You often talk about getting an Otto Link refaced. Is this a specific problem with Otto Link or is it normal within this price range? What alternative brand/model would you suggest (in same price range) that doesn't need additional rework and plays great out of the box?
I liked B more because the tone quality seemed clearer
listening back, I agree, that the refaced link (B) has a clearer sound and response. when the other one comes back from it's reface job, it should play similarly improved.
Have you got the FLorida back yet? How much work did it need? i have only ever owned 2nd hand mouthpieces and have been pretty lucky so far. My STM *8 Tenor mouthpiece is great, definitely a big fan :-)
I play a Sapphire by Phil Engelman, love it.
My choice was B. They both sounded similar in the upper octave. The lower octave on B had more character. I have 3 Links; two STM 7* that sound different and a great playing N.Y. 7.
Are these available for bari
Hola qué boquilla me recomiendas para tocar música clásica
B was full, focused, and I pretty much liked it better in every way.
I choose B Simply because it's a brighter sound
Which Optimum ligature are you using? Does Vandoren make a special one for links or are you using the one that says it is for metal tenor mouthpieces?
Standard optimum for metal pieces. You can bend the metal to fit the ridge or leave it as is
A: b has a REALLY open sound, and I think that the sound of A just is more pleasing to my ears
You should buy an Aibay Gold Mouth piece in the mix. $45 and it performs amazingly.
I liked B. It seemed to be a bit brighter but was still full sounding. There needs to be some edge or brilliance to the sound if you want to be heard even in an acoustic group.
I liked B quite a lot more. It sounds like it's more easy blowing, brighter and louder sound when needed, and overall just sounds better
Thanks for the comment Zach.
I thought it was my mouthpiece that was defect but now that you mention it all of them are the same
I tray to fix it my self but now is a different opening but works now.
I liked B. To me it is smoother, a bit brighter with a fuller tone and has a bit more projection and less edge than A which seemed a bit stuffy sounding. With the inconsistency issues, I am surprised in this day and age, with the the technology available, Otto Links can't be made more consistent and have better quality control.
The standard STM is not quite standard with what you can buy today either. It is an older version of what is available today but in typical Otto Link fashion they have evolved since that one was made quite considerably. A standard Otto Link today (and since some point in the 90's) will not have the quotation marks, the width of the tip rail to rail will vary as will the baffle and general quality just to name a few things. I like Better sax videos perhaps a comparison of the FL vs a truly modern standard STM vs Tome Master vintage (new 90th anniversary) will emphasise the difference of what you can buy today with a little more relevance for someone choosing a new link. Thanks for the video!
Hi Jay Metcalf, I have a metal tenor otto link and I bought the Vandoren LC08P Optimum Ligature since that's what you mentioned that fits the tenor otto link. When I got it the ligature is to big. Do I need to get the Vandoren Optimum Ligature for alto so it would fit the Tenor otto link. Can you please let me know the Vandoren Optimum Ligature that would fit the metal otto link? If you can send me the Amazon link for the ligature. Thanks.
Probier andere: Woodstone (ishimori)
I may sound biased, but really.. STM 7* is an excellent mpc-warm and concentrated sound. Easy to control, you can play different styles on it.
I enjoy your sound. I want to thsnk you for demoing the otto link super tone master metal mouth piece for tenor sax. I just recived mines i havent tried it ou yet. I saw o u tube a guy recieved your better sax tenor sax. I love the under sling octive key. I always wanted a kings or sax like that. Unfortunetly when he played the sax he used a device to cover the sound. I was shocked. The horn looks amazing shout out to you n selmer. One day could you please play the sax so i could hear how it sounds .thank again
I think B has a bit more edge, and forward sounding presence. A is a bit warmer, and relative to B sounds a bit muted, but is quite pleasant on its own! I'd play either.
Jay,
Thank you for the videos you do. I play an Ottolink black #7, and it sounds nice to me. I'm flirting with the idea of getting a metal Ottolink. However, I am surprised that a company that makes saxophone mouthpieces doesn't have the quality control or ability to make them well and consistently well. The technology of today tells me that it should be possible. They are not toys for a dollar. They're asking for a lot of money...enough that the customer should have no need to adjust the product because of manufacturing defects. How bizarre! Like that song...How bizarre! Sure, I'll now be called an ignoramus. I'm ready.
I agree with you.
Definitely preferred the standard Otto to the Florida in the blind test. It seemed a little brighter, but also a bit less stuffy.
Me too, surely thanks to the refacing work.
hey jay, how are you able to tell that the table isn't flat? i know you said that you could tell the reed wasn't sealing as well, but how do you notice it?
The big giveaway is doing the suction test on the reed. But while playing it is evident to me as well. just feels less than 100%
Maybe The Yani because you love it more!
The Best To U!
Wow i made the right choice i like the standerd a lot better glad i got that one
That mouthpiece used to be quite stuffy before it was refaced.
I preferred the standard Otto Link, because I think it keeps the darkness of the florida but has a little bit more of power.
thanks for your input
A) more airy and light
B) more brassy and heavy
B sounded a lot smoother and perhaps you would say darker IDK, to my ear than the first mouth piece especially in the lower octave.
A sounded a bit muted whilst B a tat brighter. If A is the STM and B the Florida, makes sense and ties up with your comments. BTW a year ago I bought a Vintage Otto Link TM 7* and I love it. Brilliant battle of the mpc Jay 👍🏼
B was the old standard STM thanks for the input Thierry
I know this is a mouthpiece video but i guess this has something to do with it im in a school band and i have a Yamaha alto sax i really need a new ligature if anyone knows a good ligature please tell me.
I believe the B test is brighter and little louder. The upper fundamentals have less buzz in the the sound. A test seems to be a little darker.
Hallo, a little drop of Oil in the thread from the Otto Link ligature screw and the Tip of the screw where it endet at the Plate for fixing the reed of the OL Ligature, and it wil be fix the Reed very good. I use Hetman synthetic Balljoins but I think any kind of good Oil is Ok. And thank you for your good Videos and lessons. I prefer also Mouthpeace B