Tonemaster
Amazingly well preserved original near mint Otto Link ‘slant signature’ mid-period Florida (no USA) 7 tenor piece. This is really exceptionally difficult to find, now. The original table milling marks are fully present, as well as the original facing and tip finish, nothing has been done to this piece. It appears to have been played just very little and shows no significant wear, some normal scuff or scratches but that’s it. I measured this piece at exactly .100″ which again is also rare.
It has the typical idiosyncratic facing curve that Ben Harrod was applying to these links at that time, slightly short on the front end of the facing, which produces a characteristic brightness with a bit of resistance and a fast response. While the underlying tone is darker and very colorful and complex, the response actually comes out very edgy and cutting due to that facing and the moderate baffle they crafted. This piece, however is very flexible if one learns how to manipulate it. it can easily go from the Stan Getz classic slant sig vibe to a Sonny Rollins or more aggressive very easily. It is a phenomenal playing early example of really the best design of the slant sig FL.
Here we have a very rare nearly new Meyer Bros. New York alto 5M Medium Chamber. This piece shows very little wear, a few minor scuffs. The table and facing finish are 100% original showing the original ‘cloudy’ milling pattern and very fine tip rail. All surfaces are sharp and original stock Meyer finishing. You will notice the old hard rubber has some color variance likely due to light exposure.
I have played this piece and some of the world’s most celebrated saxophone artists have also tried it and felt it was exceptionally great. It is generally felt that this particular piece plays with the depth complexity and color one would desire in the best of these vintage Meyers without succumbing to the overly bright or shrill tendencies of many refaced examples, as this baffle has been untouched.
Simply this is one of the absolute best and balanced examples of this rare model. Due to the rarity, condition and playability of course it is not cheap. There are very few like this available.
This horn exudes character and lyricism. It has the ‘that look’ in droves and it sounds pretty much like it looks in my opinion- just one of those horns. The serial number is 87xxx, US engraved and lacquered and it is has lived a lot. It has dings, dents, repairs, blemishes etc. If you are looking for a mint collector’s item this is definitely not it, but it IS a player. It very much has a certain complex sound, I would say a darker core and then a shimmering warm edge on top of the sound, and the very quick response that is typical of this model period.
The neck is not the original but is an earlier VI model with the low octave saddle, possibly European market earlier VI. That is what came with the horn and by the look of it, it has likely been with this horn a long time. I have experimented with late 80k necks on this horn and I have liked this neck better on this one; it has a certain focus and speed that is beneficial and somehow seems to let the proper character shine. I have recently put an old 95k neck on this as well and that is super as well. I will give the buyer their choice of necks, add a little more cost with the 95k neck if chosen.
I am not enamored of the pads and resos, but I’ve gone through the horn and got it playing quite smoothly. I can only imagine how amazing it would be with a proper treatment, but it’s going well at the moment and the pads are not old at all. These mid-late 80k horns are very rarely available now, most who have them are not willing to sell them and everyone is looking for just this serial number. Collector’s condition examples are extremely expensive, so this, given the serial number is a serious bargain these days. If this is what you are hunting, don’t sleep.
I am selling this one for a friend; an excellent playing Early Florida slant signature Otto Link. Originally a 4* size, I opened it and carefully optimized it to .097 tip with a moderate baffle and finish in the original style of these pieces. This is a very big, complex player with a lot of color and a nimbleness as well.
It is not a mind museum piece, it has discoloration, some surface wear and scratching etc, but the functional surfaces are in excellent working order and it’s generally in very good condition. Video is accurate I think.
This piece is an original earlier model Tonemaster. It currently shows a lot of (what I think is) nickel plating, most of the original gold plating is gone. Some corrosion is present on the table area, not very significant. It has lived a bit, probably could be optimized but generally in very good condition. The tip still has a good amount of metal on it should someone want to open it up, but what is really remarkable is the very significant original baffle, which these usually do not have.
Here we have a very early Florida Super ToneMaster. Displaying a serial number, this was produced directly after the ‘Double Ring” series, and from my perspective it might as well be a double ring because the response is very close. The only difference I can spot in a consistent general way would be that these play a little less buzzy and a little more substantial core than the double rings usually do but that really varies anyhow.
This piece was stamped 9 originally and needed some cleanup, it was also never a modern 9 tip size. I have restored and optimized this to .110 (Otto Link 8) and it is hard to describe exactly how amazing it is. I don’t comfortably play this size but I am considering it just because this one is so great. It has the classic early Link vibe that can only be found with these particular pieces.
This is a fairly early (no USA) slant signature Otto Link with the large chamber. It was stamped 5* with a bit of a thick tip finish, I was inspired to open it to .063 with a traditional Link facing and a good rail contour. This plays very big, and wide with a warm darker tone that also has a very fast and concise response. It has a unique singing quality that I think only these have. I felt that this piece did well with intonation as well, for whatever reason. It’s a very pretty sound.
This is what this is, no cracks, nice shape all original. Tip measures right on .080 on my tools.
Here we have a truly rare find, a King SIlversonic with original gold plated body, neck and keys and gold inlay on the engraving. These were custom ordered from King back in the day and we know of one other in existence. Finding this was just a happy accident. These pics are as found-
