Apex Link model, Optimized to max efficiency and tone.

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.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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-

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Here is a rather hard to find mouthpiece for a particular player who likes to go big.  This is a wonderful denim tabled original EB Link with a rather huge significant baffle adding a big shot of bright buzz and sizzle on a huge wide sound.  The big baffle and the specific shape of it helps stop that big sound from getting lost or too diffuse which can happen with large tipped Links.

This piece is measuring over .125 on my tools which means it is probably .130. It’s been used, has some scratching and plating age but it’s overall in good shape. The biteplate has a little spot of wear but not something I would bother about.  I noticed that the material above the table (inside the chamber) is quite thin which tells me that essentially this chamber is not so big.  This is the secret to a great playing EB Link.

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Excellent old Brilhart “hard rubber” model. Originally a very small tip as most were, I’ve opened this to ,098 with a bit of baffle.  It blows fat, flexible and kind of bouncy with some shimmer on top, very much fun. Although these are often compared to slant Links, they have their own vibe.  On the power/tone color scale I would say this is probably equal to a very good early Florida slant Link, maybe a touch brighter.

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Original and very nice Paul Desmond equipment

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Very nice condition Paul Desmond equipment

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