Horned Toad’s Select Collection Vintage Reproductions

I am working on a new project of small batch high quality reproduction of the rarest, best and personal favorite tenor mouthpieces out of my decades long acquired collection, most 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.

Development and manufacturing costs that are rather high. Every aspect of these is made in USA. There is significant investment required and all hand finish will be done by myself.  I have at the moment many 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.  

These will play as the actual pieces play, rather than an aesthetic reference of the ‘style’ of some old piece.  These will be finished in the actual style the original makers intended, as I actually know and have the hand skill to apply that finish.

#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 was 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 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 .098 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.

 

These are two models that I am starting with, and many others to follow. 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. Watch this space, these are still in the works.

Otto Link “Missing Link” 4-Ring Transitional Rare Mouthpiece (Part 1)


I just got this amazingly rare and special piece, an otto Link 4-ring transitional piece from Tonemaster to ‘Super’ Tonemaster; this is the first Super Tonemaster before the ‘Double Ring”.  It is a NY production piece from the Otto Link (not Florida, Ben Harrod).  This has the first super tonemaster body and from my feeling a slightly different chamber from Tonemaster as well, but not exactly the same as double ring.  Of course the double rings models vary plenty amongst themselves but this still feels a bit different to me.

 

 

This type of piece was immortalized in photos of John Coltrane, specifically this set by Charles Stewart taken in 1964.  He was always switching mouthpieces of course but it is interesting that this is somewhere near the ‘Love Supreme” recording time period.

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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.

 

 

 

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Amazing Selmer 88xxx MK VI Soprano

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!

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