Here is a FL Otto Link ‘USA’ stamped tenor piece faced at 7*. This is basically original in every way except for a very very subtle rail balancing I did many years back, just received in trade from a Ny pro. Great piece as I remember.
Author Archives: Horned Toad
Otto Link Reso Chamber Original 5
Original Otto Link “Reso Chamber” tenor mouthpiece. This is obviously all original, but the facing appears a bit worn. I suggest either a reface or at least an optimization. The piece is in nice shape and does not appear to have been worked on but probably just seen some action.
Otto Link FL no USA Slant Sig “Marinated” .100 Amazing!
Otto Link Florida middle period (no USA, long baffle) slant sig. This piece has been masterfully restored and optimized at .100 tip (7) with an early EB style long flat baffle. There was a pickup hole filled in the top but it is flush and mostly invisible. This is one of the best slants ever, very fat and aggressive sound, not overly bright and not at all shy or muted, very forceful and edgy while still remaining darkly edged. This is a rare and truly great playing slant, very hard to match.
Otto Link FL no USA 6* “Marinated” beautiful optimized .100 tip
Very VERY nice playing fully vintage vibed no USA Otto Link FL .100 beautifully optimized, “Marinated”!
Amazing Selmer 88xxx MK VI Soprano (sold)
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).
Horned Toad’s Vintage Otto Link Survey Videos!
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
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
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.
Otto Link Tone Master Coltrane Vintage Original 4* Tenor
Beautiful Original Otto Link Tonemaster tenor piece, cap and lig set. Original 4* facing in good condition, normal wear and scratches but overall quite good. This is the later model close to the Bluetrain type. These go great on an SBA tenor of course or early MK VI but will bring the Mojo to any combination.
Otto Link Original 9* FL no USA Tenor Super Tone Master
This is a beautiful original no USA FL 9* tenor piece, nothing has been done to this one. I measured that right at .115. If you have the chops to play this size these are great. This one I remember as a huge sound and very sparkly.
