For availability of vintage saxophones and mouthpieces in stock please see the above link: “Vintage Saxophones & Mouthpieces For Sale”. That will show current offerings, sold and on hold offerings, as well as up and coming “in-shop” projects. Please feel free to ask about future offerings. Additionally there are many items that ARE NOT listed on the for sale page that are packed away, not operational yet, or just not fit into the schedule to list. Early inquiry is a good way to beat the crowd to get the special item you have been searching for. Thanks!
Selmer Super (Balanced) Action 39xxx silver plate Davide Sanchez
This wonderful SBA tenor belonged to Davide Sanchez, renowned virtuouso. It was specially chosen for it’s sonic qualities. A European market silver plated tenor, it is in very good original condition with a clean and rather recent pad setup. It is a very punchy and bright horn with an addictive immediacy and clarity. The response is both loud and delicate depending on how one approaches it. The serial number puts it on the cusp of 40xxx so it is very much the historic Coltrane variety of SBA; early, retaining a lot of Balanced Action qualities yet modernized, fast and nimble.
Among those with experience and knowledge this offers exactly what one would expect from 39-40xxx SBA at its peak of greatness. A top tier playing early SBA in quite good physical condition is never easy to find. Chosen by a celebrated artist adds another assurance of quality. I am just getting to know and optimize this instrument and it is enticing.
Otto Link FL USA 6* mint original
Here is a beautifully preserved original Otto Link Florida (USA) model tenor saxophone mouthpiece. This comes complete with original box, ligature, and cap. The facing is untouched and clean. Most of the nickel or rhodium plating is intact and the piece has not been damaged. It plays better than many originals from this period with a decisively bright and yet fat response. 6* is really an optimal size for these anyhow and playing at this size puts one in some of the best company with many historic Jazz figures playing in this range. These middle of the road 6* (not huge) piece trend bright and compact which many of us wish for. This is a very nice original package that are more often hard to find.
Otto Link Transitional SHORT SHANK Double Ring Original 7!!
There is no more rare and amazing piece available; double ring table stamp 7, missing NY stamp, long biteplate apparent, with a Florida baffle finish?!?! This has many aspects of both models. Chamber appears exactly in the middle between NY and FL, slightly smaller than NY. Baffle is higher than NY. Table stamp is 7, tip size is around .095 and plays amazingly! It’s got loads of power, depth to spare and extremely colorful. Shockingly the facing is GREAT and it is extremely comfortable, responsive and beautiful. I would never change this piece and I hope no one else does. It is PHENOMENAL!
Otto Link FL Early short shank Original .080 (5) stamped 3* with Orig. Lig.
Very nice condition original 5 early FL short shank model; this piece is factory stamped 3* but measures .080 (5). The short shank model tends to have a rather high rolling baffle, which this does have as well. This piece comes with original early FL ligature with the sturdy screw housing. This piece will be good for those who can work the small sizes or is an excellent starting point for a custom setup. That baffle is going to win!
Otto Link FL Double Ring Marinated “Masterpiece” .098
Rarely available for sale, this is one my own “masterpiece” labeled FL double rings. I was using this myself for quite some time. It is a prime blank FL piece that I set up to .098 which is quite an ideal size for these. It has a rather long rolling baffle. It plays with an optimum balance of crispness, speed, brightness, and spread. It is on the bright side for double rings, exceptionally flexible and colorful. The label does not lie. Those who know, know.
Otto Link FL serialed 6* mint original package w/lig/box
Mint condition, with only some aging of the plating surface mainly on the table where someone left an old reed clamped on; this is an extremely rare find. It is an original 6* facing and the size is as expected. The entire piece is plated and nicely shiny. Serialed early FL are basically the same as double ring, they play just as specially and are probably harder to find as production was very brief before the regular no USA’s. This comes with the original box, cap and ligature as well. The sound is fat, crisp and colorful.
Otto Link Double Ring NY Original 6 .083 Bright & Fast!
Wonderful original New York first production ‘Super’ Tonemaster double ring. This facing stamp is 6 which is already very hard to find, although early production did not have larger tip sizes aligning with current charts, this measures at .083 so almost a 5*. Interestingly, this piece has a HUGE baffle in that would be more commonly found in Florida production, but really it’s higher than those are as well. This piece plays really rather bright for any link, but very bright for a NY. The chamber actually appears to be a bit smaller than most NY’s as well and it does play more compact. That long shank is something I have not seen on these early ones either. Each of these was hand finished so .. it’s a rarity.
Selmer MK VI 95xxx Original US lacquer Excellent Player
Here we have a wonderful example of a prime 5 digit VI tenor. This one has been played plenty and shows how much love it received over the years with some lacquer wear. Structurally, however it is in excellent condition with no solders or serious repairs that I can find. It’s got the normal dings and minor dents but really has been spared the worse issues that we often find with vintage players horns.
This one has had a professional good quality setup by a well known NY tech and it playing well. I’ve just got it in here and it will need some minor cosmetic and functional adjustments to optimize the situation, but again it’s really in good condition. The original owner engraved his name and number on the back as many old pros used to do, which we will just have to ignore by playing it. The metal thumbhook appears not to be original with a sort of custom shape, which of course can be replaced with an original.
The 95k serial number is in the model-realm of Chris Potter’s VI tenor (98k so I am told) and these do have a certain presence and power; reliably more focused than 80k and trading off some fatness for pure power. This one particularly is a specially great player. The owner told me ‘anyone who plays it will buy it’ and I do believe I agree with him. It is live, immediate and forward!
Otto Link FL Double Ring Marinated .102 Silky Smooth Resonance
Here we have an apex example of the Florida Double Ring with my custom setup. This was one of my personal players until I moved to a slightly smaller size. I did it for myself in a batch of only TWO and the other was for Josh Redman. They are setup with the same facing, very similar but each piece has its unique character and response. Absolutely every fine optimization has been done to this piece. It is playing at the top of its capability and efficiency.
The FL model has a slightly smaller chamber than NY models, and also it seems, a slightly smaller chamber than No USA models. This piece has the expected focus and center of the Double Ring model, a significant moderate baffle providing a bit of bounce and shimmering buzz on top of a very smooth and pretty warmth. The tip size sits at .102 with very fine side and tip rail contours; this piece is a lyrical weapon that lives all the way up to the FL Double Ring hype.
Otto Link Double Ring NY Old and nice reface to .090
Here is an early model Otto Link Double Ring, made in New York sporting the early extremely long biteplate. These being about one step after the Tonemaster tend to have a fairly large chamber as well creating a thick, wide sound. This one, however does not appear to have the absolutely huge chamber. At least visually it appears not so big, sort of trending (a little) towards the Florida models. This piece has had an active life showing some surface wear from handling.
The table facing stamp is not showing but I am guessing it was not a large size to start. Someone has refaced this to .090 (6 facing) and by the appearance I’d guess it was done more than 30 years ago, and by some old school hand and done very well. It plays exceptionally well at this size with both fat and significant bright qualities on a complex warm tone expected of these models. This is not a piece to open further, it is just excellent as it is. I would suggest it could benefit from a bit of minor adjustment or cleanup if anything at all. I very much enjoyed playing it and was surprised.
