Author Archives: Horned Toad

Amazing Selmer 88xxx MK VI Soprano

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Just in, mind blowingly great 88xxx Selmer MK VI soprano, still playing it, just hard to put down. Original lacquer has normal aging spots. No solders or damage other than some smoothing on one side of the bell rim. Super rare with high F# which is a major bonus on soprano.

This is an incredible find, not sure it will be for sale.  Five digit Selmer sopranos are extremely hard to find now, this is a special order High F# original lacquer in excellent condition.  It is so strange, but it really seems to have the same quality as late 80k tenors do; spread, even scale, colorful, powerful and very flexible.  It is actually quite different from many other five digit Selmer sopranos I have had and played.  This may be the best Selmer soprano I have ever played. (In the photos below you will notice the lyre screw is missing, but I think I just removed it for weight).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Horned Toad’s Vintage Otto Link Survey Videos!

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Marin Spivack, veteran restorer of vintage mouthpieces takes an in-depth journey through the different models of vintage Otto Link tenor (because they are a lot less famous for alto) saxophone mouthpieces. We will cover the 1940’s to the 1970’s. Not ALL models and examples will be featured but plenty of detail based on what is available. Be prepared for corny humor and some time wasting, it’s a bit long, but you may learn to identify and understand the differences in the models. There may be mistakes and contradictions, we do our best. This is for the true nerds and enthusiasts.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Indepth Discussion on Realities of the MK VI and Vintage Selmers

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Long and detailed discussion of a kind of common strawman overly hyped discussion of the “The MK VI” saxophone based on years of experience.

This was initially made in response to a video that is posted in the description
( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puApTzibuHM ) .  Many hunters of such vintage Selmers, students and just those wanting to learn more may find this helpful.

Otto Link Early Babbitt 7* Tone-Edge Tenor Original

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Here we have an Otto Link true ‘Early Babbitt’ Tone Edge.  This is the fat body model with the smaller chamber and clamshell baffle.  This has the original 7* stamp on the side and an untouched facing.  The piece is very loud and projecting with both edge and warmth and a significant power.  Plays very well as is, people often have these set up but this is a blaster already.

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Otto Link FL No USA 6* Tenor Piece Optimized

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Here we have an Otto Link 6* no USA tenor piece.  This is a middle or later design of the no USA period with the slightly longer step baffle instead of the earlier roll-over design. This is the archetypal blue note hard bop tone machine.  I have done some gentle balancing and truing of this facing and tip rail.  The tip is around .100 (where it was originally.  It plays very clear and balanced and big with both definition and core.

Otto Link FL Slant Sig Original 6 Rarity

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Here we have an Otto Link early FL original 6 facing, untouched and in amazing condition.  This is a wonderful rare and extremely fun and tonally complex piece in a very optimal size for the period these were made in.  original examples such as this are so very hard to find now.  Original milling on table and tip rails and baffle are just beautiful!

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