Crisp &buzzy player.
Author Archives: Horned Toad
Selmer hard rubber Soloist style F (soprano)
Nice husky & rich player. Shows normal scratching on the ligature area, fully functional.
Otto Link Straight Sig FL HR Marinated Efficient & Excellent 7* (.110)
Apex Link model, Optimized to max efficiency and tone.
Otto Link Straight Sig FL Hard Rubber original 7* (.107) Exc Player
All original, these are some of the best otto Links ever. This one in untouched state has a powerful smokey vibe with edge and organic mellowness both.
Selmer SBA (Super Action) Tenor Saxophone 41xxx original near new
This is exactly the Coltrane model, Bluetrane, Giant Steps, Soultrane etc. 41xxx and nearly brand new. It has all original pads and resos, lacquer still on the edges, could use a bit of tweaking but plays awesomely right now. Amazing crisp bright popping sound, saoring highs with the big bottom and compression. Just like the other 45xxx that recently sold here, this is just one of those things as good as it looks and it sure looks.
This level of instrument usually sells quietly without publicly posted sales so the only people who know what they really sell for are the seller and the buyer. This is one of the nicest examples I’ve ever found and there are very few to be found now, so I will gladly keep it until and unless I am quite compelled to let it go. For those who are expecting a ‘reasonable’ price, best not to bother to ask. There is nothing reasonable about this horn.
Otto Link Slant Sig. 6* FL Original very nice rarity
Very clean untouched 6* Florida slant signature Link. Clear milling lines on original table, unaltered tip and baffle. Finding nice original examples such as this is now quite rare. This has obviously been played and has some minor cosmetic blemishes but the functional areas are all quite clean.
Otto Link FL no USA 9* Original Apex Tenor Piece
This is an excellent example of the archetypal large tip size earlier Florida Link. For some unknown reason these larger tip sizes on the earlier FL really had a special thing. They play big and very flexible, but if you get the right model they also play somehow unexpectedly easy for that size. It’s a trick of facing and finish I guess, just the way they made these. I’ve had many 9’s and 10’s that did just this thing, reliably.
This one is in very nice condition, untouched and not abused. It measures at around .130 on my tools and blows very complex and easy for the size with a very significant original baffle.
Otto Link USA 7 (.105) Optimized
This is a wonderful late FL USA stamped 7 facing that plays excellently. I have trued and optimized this facing and tip. The finish over most of the mouthpiece is very nice yet there is some staining of the plating on the table due to a reed left attached long term I imagine. This piece plays in a compact and concise way with a very nice flat step baffle similar to late FL hard rubber pieces of the same time period. It has a lot of complexity and a great buzz and depth to it. Tip size.105 and set up with an older traditional Otto Link Facing curve.
Gear Nerd Summit
Had a really wonderful hang with Josh Redman, fellow tone & subtlety aficionado; inspiringly great player and exceptionally good, smart and fun person to be around. Being able to share that level of appreciation for detail in sound is why we do this, but some people are just plain cool.
Selmer MK VI soprano 73xxx Original engraved & premium overhaul Amazing player
I am not keen to sell this horn. It took me years to find and it is wonderful, but it is sitting at the moment, probably should be played more. It is an original lac. European market fully engraved 1957 first year MK VI soprano #73xxx. I restored it with new pads and metal resonators and it is very nicely set up tight with all toneholes level and keys fitted, it’s a beautiful experience to play.
More to follow-
