For availability of vintage saxophones and mouthpieces in stock please see the above link: “Vintage Saxophones & Mouthpieces For Sale”. That will show current offerings, sold and on hold offerings, as well as up and coming “in-shop” projects. Please feel free to ask about future offerings. Additionally there are many items that ARE NOT listed on the for sale page that are packed away, not operational yet, or just not fit into the schedule to list. Early inquiry is a good way to beat the crowd to get the special item you have been searching for. Thanks!
Archetype W20-03 .100 Fresh out of the Bardo
Wonderful Link 7 tip size, hand finished and beautiful. Quad ring is experiencing multidimensional soul division. This piece plays fat and takes a lot of air as we would expect from a 7, which is the upper end of what these were designed for. Fat, with a shimmering edge. Facing is slightly short for speed and crisp response, already away to the first pre-order!
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The Archetype is Born
I have just finished the first Archetype mouthpiece, Serial numer, (W20)-#1. This first one had some cosmetic blemishes and required extra hand work. I expected it would be subpar but to the contrary it is amazing, shocking, utterly surprising in its closeness to the original and the excellent feeling and tone it is producing. We are starting production now. More info to come!
Horned Toad Select Archetype Model Available for Pre-Order
The Archetype model tenor mouthpiece is starting production and now available for pre-order.. This is a very detailed reproduction of an extinct historically significant Otto Link transitional model, the prototype “Super Tonemaster”, AKA the “Quad Ring”.
Body color and some details will vary from the image. Biteplate will be black ebonite.
These will be hand finished, in house, in the original NY Otto Link style, but one of the few craftsmen who can really recreate that style. This will be the first, and probably only option to acquire an example of the Quad-Ring Link, and they are going to be amazing players with a proper setup.
This prototype was a design test at the end of the Tonemaster production featuring some incremental aesthetic, bore, finish, and response changes that resulted in the very famous Super Tonemasters of the NY and Florida eras. Continue reading
Otto Link FL Double Ring 9 Optimized
Here we have an excellent surviving example of a Florida production Otto Link ‘double ring’ 9 facing that I have cleaned up and optimized after years of use. This is probably a somewhat later model double ring as it has rhodium or nickel plate. The early models had gold plate (which wore off rather easily). The nickel or rhodium does not wear off as easily but when it does it leaves scars in the brass as we see here.
Otto Link Early Babbitt ‘square chamber’ 7* original
Here we have the rather rare and hard to find ‘Early Babbitt’ square (or oval) chamber Otto Link Soprano piece, popularized by Steve Lacy among others. I also prefer these. This piece is in original condition I believe and does show some wear, although a very good player. 7* is really an optimal size for these!
Otto Link FL Double Ring Original 5
Here another rarely preserved all original Florida produced Double Ring. This piece has a tip size of .075 and features a LARGE original hand finished baffle. This baffle configuration, I have seen on a a small number of FL DR, it’s one style, probably all done by the same person, resulting in (on the scale of Otto Link) a very bright, cutting and powerful response while retaining the underlying tonal complexity these are known for. This is the shape that Coltrane and others would have been trying to replicate with having pieces worked on that were not originally finished this way.
This piece is an epic upper echelon player; fast, crisp, bright, defined, shimmering and colorful. it is not going to operate the same way at an 8 tip for example. I don’t suggest altering it, although there is metal available to do so. Just a reed strength 3 and above depending on the cut will make this function perfectly for the player who knows how to operate it.
Otto Link FL (Long Island NY) Double Ring 3* MINT original package Tone all day!
Beautifully preserved all original FL produced Double Ring otto Link 3* with original box, cap, and lig. Facing utterly untouched and appears unplayed (other than myself). I have tested this piece and it IS a small facing (.070) but with even just a 3 reed it plays beautifully with an absolutely unmatched crips, bright, clean and ringing tone. There is absolutely no tonal substitute for the small sized vintage Links of this period. The tone those guys were getting on the standard small sizes of the day can NOT be replicated on sizes 7and above. That is wishful thinking. THIS is how that tone was achieved.
This is a wonderfully original set and one hell of a player for the person who CAN play this size. It is also an excellent starting point for a reface but I very much do not favor nor recommend that approach.
Otto Link Florida Double Ring 7*
This piece has a tip size of approximately .103 with a nice clean finish. I believe it has been worked on but appears to have been done nicely with a moderate baffle and nicely contoured rails. The piece has no plating left and is in good condition.
Otto Link “Improved” Tonemaster .098 “Marinated”
Very nice later model Tonemaster, restored and optimized to .098 (6**) with a gentle yet significant baffle. It’s a very responsive and colorful player, and the more focused of Tonemaster iterations.
Otto Link FL serialed 5* original (SOLD)
Phenomenal and special playing early serialed LInk 5*. This plays edgy, crisp full and fast. These serialed pieces are rare as hens teeth and highly sought after with good reason. This is among the best originals I have ever played. Tip measures .089.
Original ‘Otto Link’ stamped ligature currently not included with the piece. If I can locate that I will.
