I am working on a new project of small batch high quality reproduction of the best and personal favorite tenor mouthpieces out of my decades long acquired collection, most of which are very rare and hard to find, some of which are impossible to find.   In many years of mouthpiece hunting, collecting, selling and restoring vintage pieces I have gathered a unique and special array of some of the best pieces in the world from the perspective of someone who really likes vintage Links and Bergs.  I never had a super modern sound and still tend to gravitate to my vintage Links and Bergs.  I have collected, played and sold a huge number of them but I kept the pieces that worked best for me and at this point some of them need to be shared, and at least preserved as in some cases I only have one and will never see another.

I am going to try to keep these as affordable as I can considering manufacturing costs. There is some investment required and all hand finish will be done by myself.  I have at the moment 6 models I am considering.  In the first run all pieces will be produced in the exact facings they are current set at, as this is really were they play best, although customization will be possible.  At the moment I will be likely be producing in brass, stainless, resin/plastic or hard rubber.  

#1 “Missing Link” quad-ring transitional Otto Link Super Tonemaster.  

This is a one-of-a-kind mouthpiece that I searched for for like 30 years, finally got one.  I will never see another and it is safe to say most everyone will not have a chance to ever play one not to mention buy one.  I got lucky to obtain this one.  It had a minor amount of work done to it, I improved it greatly and although I never intended to return to an early Link this one demanded my attention because it plays in a very special and great way; compact with a lot of sizzle/bright for an early Link, still very fat but crisp deliver.  it is not SUPER loud, but it has nuance for years and it is also satisfyingly bright.  It is punchier than a Tonemaster, more compact that a NY double ring, and more lyrical/nuanced than a FL.  This is truly a unique and great playing early Link that I want to make available.  I think a LOT of folks will love this, but if you are really looking for a Guardala with the appearance of a Link this is not that.   This is a singular opportunity to own a really impossible to find piece.  It will be cast in brass or silver depending on interest.  The initial run will be the exact piece that I have as currently set up with a facing of around .097 which is really the outer range of where these types of pieces are designed to play their best. Finding this piece is what compelled me to start this project.  

#2 Serial numbered FL Link Super Tonemaster 7*.  This is the best metal FL Link I have ever played, without exception and it is the facing that everyone wants.  Many people have asked me to sell this but I only have one, and this will solve that problem.  It is a 100% original mouthpiece and it screams, very loud and very complex.  I will only produce this piece in 7* and it will be high detail replica.

#3 Straight Signature FL Link Tone Edge.  This was originally marked as a 6 but was already .097.  It is a daily player of mine with a tip size of about .098 and a rather large original flat baffle.  I have optimized this piece because (all) straight sig FL HR Links have table concavity that makes them inhospitable to reeds etc. I have optimized this for my own use with very detailed and gentle work. It is amazing; aggressive, bright, subtle fat and very very fast.  I have never listed this piece for sale and certainly never would but I will make the reproduction available in resin/plastic or hard rubber depending on process.  

#4 Marin Spivack “Orphan Slant” (Otto Link Slant Sig).  This is an Otto Link late FL slant sig blank, unmarked yet with original Otto Link table milling faced to around 5 that I received in a box of junk. I faced and set up this piece from the ground up to .100.  It is the best late Slant Sig possible to find in my experience, very detailed shimmering fat and efficient sound delivering very fast and clear note cutting. Just a touch fatter and colored compared to the speed and aggression of the straight sig (#3.) Never offered for sale. Hard rubber or resin.

#5 Berg Larsen 1960’s Type Font .099 denim offset bullet chamber duckbill hard rubber.  This is one of the absolute best most efficient playing Berg models they made.  This is my personal player that you can see in many of my videos.  I am mainly reproducing this for myself as it is is simply my BEST HR Berg and personal go to mouthpiece all the time and I am not happy with only having this one example that could break etc.  I am also happy to be able to offer it to my own customers and friends.  It is amazing.  Hard rubber or resin.

#6 Berg Larsen Slant Signature 110/3 SMS Stainless denim table 1940’s.  This is the super long “very vintage” Berg Larsen. I have had a number of slant bergs over the years and got this one in trade from a customer just this year and it shocked me.  It is the best metal Berg I have ever played, better than the Charlie Ventura and others as well.  Although it is a 3 baffle it is very loud and bright actually.  It is all original and plays amazing, loudest mouthpiece I own, very easy to play and very full and consistent through the range.  Although it is very powerful it is also extremely nuanced and complex.  It gets a TYPE of brightness that I can only associate with ‘Trane’s sound on Blue Trane for some reason.  This piece has not been for sale and won’t ever be.  I will make stainless models for this.  I may raise the bite a bit as it is so low, depending on the response of those interested.

These are my 6 daily mouthpieces and my best.  I have a number of others models also worth of consideration but for at least this first run I want to make the pieces I personally play available.  I am not looking at mass production but small batch production depending on demand.  I am pretty well known for honesty and integrity with my customers and that will apply here.  Facings will be checked and finished my myself only.  I strive to produce the same quality I demand.

I am just starting this project so I need input from interested folks.  The Metal Links can be made in Brass or silver (silver is quite pricey).  The Stainless Berg can be done in stainless or brass.  The hard rubber pieces will be done in resin/plastic or if in hard rubber they will be machined to a high standard (because I do not have an ebonite curing facility here).

Prices I hope to contain between $350-$650 depending on models, interest, materials and process required, but I will know more when I have an idea of demand and numbers.  For now I would ask that folks interested in having any of these pieces to send an email through the contact form and put “Select Collection” in the subject line so I can make a list.  Talk to me about what pieces you might want and in what material etc so we can decide which production runs to prioritize and at what numbers. You can be part of the process of what actually gets made.  No commitment or money is involved at this time.  These are the best vintage Links and Bergs in the world as far as I am concerned and I am very picky.  This is really not a big business venture but to the possibly small group of folks that want these it will be very satisfying.  Thanks for reading.

Marin

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.

Continue reading →

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).

Continue reading →

One of a kind 1960 tenor Mark VI, serial 87xxx in original US lacquer and engraving.  This horn is the top, as it is one of the best periods of the MK VI but is also a totally unique and special instrument of this variety as well.  There is no damage past nor present that I could find on this horn, structurally excellent and sound.  There is normal lacquer wear on the body and most is gone from the neck yet the neck is physically perfect and wonderfully responsive.

This pads are not old, and set up with what I think are original Selmer plastic resonators it plays very well, but I think the setup could be a bit better when the right player determines it is time to address. I found no solders nor dents on the this horn, but of course there going to be normal scratches and small dings perhaps, nothing that caught my eye and I am meticulous.

Now for the most important part, the sound and response: There is simply nothing like this horn, anywhere.  I have only ever played a few like this one.  It is very loud and exceptionally lively, which is different than just being loud.  It has what those in the know would call a kind of boldness to the sound, almost like a physical impact of sound.

This horn is quite edgy and cutting though it has an underlying warmth and color to the sound that makes it not what I would call excessively bright.  It has a very aggressive, colorful and complex kind of edge to it.  It is probably in the middle between dark and bright, has a mid-tone quality to the very loud cutting edge that is very hard to find along with the physically impacting fundamental bass.  I can only wonder how it would function with metal resonators.

This is a very rare and special horn, I have only ever played one or two others that came close to it.  I waiting a decade to buy it.

Continue reading →

1951 is the year, “Super Action” (SBA) or “Super Balanced Action” baritone low Bb near perfect original US engraved masterpiece.  This horn is 100% UNMOLESTED.  It has a few TINY dings and scuffs, some honest wear, just a little and otherwise it is structurally perfect and nearly cosmetically untouched.  It is SO rare to find one of these that has survived in this state.

According to Douglass Pipher this: “Selmer 44xxx is a US-Market baritone. It shipped in March 1951 as part of a batch of 30 Saxophones. (11 Altos, 13 Tenors and 6 Baritones)”

There simply were not many of these made and far far less of them still surviving in undamaged condition!

This has ALL original pads and resonators, never had an overhaul.  The pearls are not worn, this had not been played much, but right now, it DOES PLAY, though should receive some attention.  This has not been cleaned or anything, just exactly as revealed in the 1951 case, so there are a few insignificant water or strapping stains showing. The body, neck and upper brace all share the same 44xxx serial number (that has been obscured in the photos).  This amazing jewel of Selmer model history and craftsmanship IS for sale but will not be shipped.  Drop in, and fly this treasure out.  This is for the top pro and/or collectors.  Thanks for looking!

Continue reading →

Rare nice condition 105xxx MK VI tenor, original lacquer, original pads etc, feels lovely on the hands and easy on the ears and eyes as well.  This has a wonderful punchy, crisp & sizzling, projecting live sound! Has some minor bumps & bruises from use. The original neck is great, never had any pulldown, just some normal lacquer wear from hands. Bell has never been bent. This horn really has that sparkle that many look for.  It has been used and is not perfect but still very nice looking and will be a real world class player when set up really well.  Thanks for looking!

Continue reading →

This is a very unique and special MK VI of what is arguably the most popular serial number/model period Selmer made.  Horns from this model period are usually the LOUDEST they made.  This horn particularly, is probably the loudest horn I have ever played, really ever, hah.  It has a very complex and clear response.  I know some people really love bare brass horns, but i personally am not sure sure about the difference, I suppose that may have something to do with it though?

Continue reading →