• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Website of Steve Neff

  • BLOG
  • SHOP
  • MY ACCOUNT
  • RAVES
  • CONTACT

Search Neffmusic

You are here: Home / Reviews / Mouthpiece Reviews / Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews / Battle of the 3 Florida Link Tenor Mouthpieces

Battle of the 3 Florida Link Tenor Mouthpieces

August 14, 2009 by Steve 11 Comments

I thought I would put up a comparison clip of 3  metal STM Florida  Otto Link tenor mouthpieces that I have.  The first one is a Florida Link 7*(no USA) that was refaced by someone. If I had to bet money on it I would say it’s Theo Wannes work.  It looks just like other Theo Wanne mouthpieces  I have had and the tip rail has that characteristic thinness and curve that Theo puts on his pieces.  It blows like it has a shorter facing to me. The other two are a 5 and a 8 that Brian Powell refaced to .105.

They both have substantial baffles in them which gives them some extra power and brightness. the 5 is my favorite to play in my garage with an echo.  It reminds me of my Jon Van Wie Otto Link with a baffle in it. Recording it with the microtrack it sounds a bit bright but I think in a recording studio with some reverb it would sound killer.  I’ve been playing these 3 mouthpieces for the last week trying to decide which one to keep and which ones to sell.  Let me know if you hear a difference in the recordings and have an opinion.
Listen………​

Florida Link 7* no USA (refaced by Theo Wanne?)

https://www.neffmusic.com/images/mp3/No%20USA%20Florida.mp3

Florida Link 5 (refaced to .105 by Brian Powell)

https://www.neffmusic.com/images/mp3/Florida%20Link%205.mp3

Florida Link 8 (refaced to .105 by Brian Powell)

https://www.neffmusic.com/images/mp3/Florida%20Link%208.mp3

Filed Under: Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Brian Powell, florida link, otto link, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews, Theo Wanne

Steve

About Steve

Steve Neff has been playing and teaching saxophone and jazz improvisation around the New England area for over 30 years. He is the author of many best selling jazz improvisation methods as well as founding the popular jazz video lesson site Neffmusic.com.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Avatardave stambaugh says

    August 14, 2009 at 1:47 pm

    I like the 5 the best, then the 8 and Wanne 3rd. The 5 has that little extra edge if you need it but you are able to mellow out easily. It all depends how the respond and play.

    Reply
  2. AvatarJeroen Erkamp says

    August 23, 2009 at 4:12 pm

    I love the Wanne most… love that dessert dry sound and the great (though way too short) solo you play there!!!

    Reply
  3. AvatarRedTuxedo says

    January 14, 2010 at 9:10 pm

    The “Theo” had the best core to it. 3D sound. The others sounded much thinner and lacked depth. No comparison to me. #1.

    Reply
  4. AvatarEric says

    May 11, 2010 at 12:15 am

    They all sound good… but I really like the 1st clip. It’s got a great core to it and a depth that the refaced 5 didn’t seem to have. The refaced 8 sounded better than many links I’ve heard, but still sounded thinner to me than the 1st one.

    Reply
  5. AvatarEric says

    May 11, 2010 at 12:16 am

    Just curious… which did you decide to keep?

    Reply
    • stevesteve says

      May 11, 2010 at 11:42 am

      I still have the 8 florida link although I had Brian Powell close it to 7*. I have the no USA link also but I tried to put a baffle in it and I can’t get it just right yet. I sold the brighter 5.

      Reply
  6. AvatarGeorge Hicswa says

    December 11, 2011 at 12:45 pm

    Yes, the no USA 7* has a less generic sound that sets it apart from the other two. I’m in the process of getting my no USA STM 6* refaced by Ted Klum after having it worked on by another refacer who did not get the curve right. It came back hard to play with a spread sound, so I hope Ted can bring it to where it’s supposed to be. Which is a matter of personal taste.
    Your playing is superb!

    Reply
  7. AvatarColin Campbell says

    December 23, 2011 at 6:49 pm

    Hey Steve,can I ask you,if the 7* No USA sat not as tight on the neck cork as the other two links,and did that same piece have a wider beak too?
    That piece has a more vintage tone than the other two pieces,I don’t know if it felt more comfortable though lol!

    Cheers,Col.

    Reply
    • stevesteve says

      December 23, 2011 at 10:53 pm

      I still have that piece. It’s the same tightness as my other florida link in that clip. The beak is very similar also. Doesn’t look or feel any wider. It did have a more vintage sound that is for sure. It was a bit too dark for me so I put a baffle in it (big mistake). I ended up send it to Erik G to fix the baffle I tried to put in. It plays great but is too bright now. I actually emailed Erik today and asked him what I should use to file the baffle down just a little bit. It originally had a beautiful sound but I always felt like it was too dark for me. Some of that could be because of my hearing loss though………Anyways, I tried to sell it a few times and no one bought it so I finally decided to mess with it. Strangely enough, after I messed with it I started getting all these offers for it from my site………..Oh well. I still hope to get it to a place where it is perfect for me. I’m going to start slowly sanding the baffle down until I think it is perfect. You live and you learn.

      Reply
  8. AvatarDave says

    March 4, 2014 at 6:15 am

    Hi Steve
    I really liked the refaced 8. You sounded most comfortable on that one. Not reaching for notes and it had a full robust sound. You could really lay back or wail on it. I have a mojo refaced 7* that had a long fairly high arched baffle in it. The more I play it the more I want to sand down the baffle. Now it’s more of a low flat baffle that just raises the floor a little. It really feels like its dialed in now. I really need to stay focused on one piece and shed. It’s so easy to get distracted by all the different flavored out there.

    Reply
    • SteveSteve says

      March 12, 2014 at 5:06 pm

      Hi hear you Dave! I feel the same way. A couple of times a year I need to take a break from the mouthpiece carousel because I feel like I’m starting to lose it. I have a few mouthpieces like your link that I feel like the baffle could come down a little………..

      Reply

Leave a Reply to Steve Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Cart

Subscribe to the Neffmusic Newsletter for the latest reviews and best deals delivered straight to your inbox every month. Join now and you will also receive my 40 Ultimate Michael Brecker Licks free!

Select list(s) to subscribe to


Thanks for joining!


NEFFMUSIC PRINTED BOOKS

Testimonials

Two years later I began a search for a sax teacher and happened to come across Steve Neff when I was searching YouTube for sax teachers.  I went to neffmusic.com and was very impressed with the lessons Steve Neff was offering.  The concept of selecting lessons was an approach that I thought was unique and purchased a few lessons.  I liked the lessons so much that I signed-up for a 6 month package. I was very happy with all the lessons I selected.  I also purchased Steve’s book Mastering the B… Read more
Michael

I must say again how much I appreciate all your material. Including the video tutorials. It help keep me focused and knowing what to aim for. And your laid back teaching style appeals to me too. 

Thanks

P

P

Hello Steve,

I have not received my alto yet but have already gone through 14 lessons. I love your approach, style, knowledge and competence. I now regret so much to have stayed away from playing the sax for the past 45-50 years…(I am 65).  But It is never too late to get back to your first love. After 23 years in compuer sciences and 22 years in finances…I am now back to music for the rest of my life.

Doing some research on the net, I found this:

http://forum.saxontheweb.net/showthread.php?1… Read more

Claude
Thank you so much for the great job you are doing to help further our jazz studies. Though I make my living as a repairer of musical instruments I am a student of jazz and have been fortunate enough to be involved with a big band and a combo for the last several years. As my children began to leave “the nest” I had decided to dedicate the next half of my life to a more serious study of the sax but I didn’t know exactly how I would go about doing this until a friend of mine turned me onto your si… Read more
Jon
I just joined Neff Music last month. I can’t tell you how excited I’ve been to be able to pick back up on lessons. I’ve been in a rut and you got me out! I’ve especially appreciated the Lesson Path section. It was so clear I knew exactly where to jump in and start. Many many thanks!
Karin
Your lessons on playing the blues is so clear . I have been through many books on blues playing and not one of them explains as clear as your lessons . Most of them say “Play the same blues scale over all three chords of a 12 bar blues ” Its very misleading .     Thanks
Martin
Thanks so much for putting all this great learning material out there. I don’t often have the time to take a lesson with a teacher, so the ability to download lessons is really invaluable. My playing has improved enormously (I think :)) – and the lessons are so varied there’s always something to be inspired by. Incredible value too!
Roger

Steve,

I have played for many years and have enjoyed going “back to the basics” in some of your lessons!  You have such a gift for explaining concepts.  As I have gotten older, some of the basic things have gotten muddled because I just play, not knowing why.  As I refresh myself with “why”, it increases my confidence and expands my playing.  Thank you so much for using your gift!  You are a blessing!

Julia
I just wanted to write a thank you note to you for this website. I play and teach saxophone, but I have always been intimidated by the gear aspect. Your website has helped me become a lot more knowledgable. Your knowledge is staggering! I’m telling all my students about your website. Pierre
Pierre
I want to let you know that your instructional material is transforming my playing.  It is an immense pleasure to learn and play now, and I can’t tell you how grateful I am. The instructional material I got from you is by far the best of any I own (and I have over 100 books, DVDs, and what not). I literally can’t thank you enough! Deric
Deric
I want to say something about Steve Neff’s series of lessons, Beginner Jazz Improvisation. For a couple of years I tried many beginner lessons and my problem was that there was a gap between lessons that were fairly simple and ones that I was not quite ready for and my progress stalled out. That problem was solved with the series Beginner Jazz Improvisation. He guides you step by step along the way and builds a foundation for learning jazz and blues. He leaves no question about what to practice … Read more
Pete

Hi Steve,

First, I want to thank you for all of your great lessons. They are like a “For Dummies” version of all the books on my shelf. The lessons break things down into manageable pieces, and give me the confidence that I’m practicing the right pieces. I’m starting to make progress.   Thank You,   Kim

Kim
I’ve been downloading your lessons for 4 months now (20 lesson) and I have noticed tremendous growth in my playing thus far! I’m so happy that I stumbled upon your site!
Bob
Hey Steve, My name is Jason Freese and I play keyboards and sax in the band Green Day.  I grew up taking sax lessons from Eric Marienthal when I was a kid and got out of it for a long time. I ran into you on youtube while searching for sax stuff. I bought a whole bunch of your lessons and have been loving it! Thanks! Here is my wikipedia so you can see the albums I’ve played on….Thanks again. It’s sparked my interest in practicing again.   Jason
Jason Freese (sax player for Green Day)
I’m an experienced player in the pop/soul/funk areas of music and, previously, classical.  Over the decades I’ve been playing, I’ve always felt that I could do what I needed in those styles of music.  However, recently I began to feel limited by my use of the same old licks. When I discovered Steve Neff’s website, and heard the audio examples based on the exercises in his books, I realized they were what I needed.  I purchased all of them and have been working on them since.  It’s very hard work… Read more
Paul
Hi Steve, I have been shedding your materials for quite a while now and I love them! They are extremely well organized and presented and there are tons of ’em! I really appreciate your methodical approach and find myself referring students to your resources often.  Thanks so much!  
Kenyon Carter
I’ve been a member of Steve’s site for about six months now and the difference it has made to my playing is immeasurable. The (many) benefits of this membership are that you can have lessons at time convenient to you, they work out A LOT cheaper than face-to-face lessons with a teacher of the same calibre and you can replay them ad infinitum. I don’t know how many times have I had lessons in the past where I’ve ended up covering the same concepts when really a ‘replay’ of the last lesson would h… Read more
Nick

Hello Steve, I’m getting so much out of your lessons and books, amazing how much one may think one knows, there is always a new frontier or new way to view something you think you had somewhat down. You have taken it all to a new level and am so grateful. Your lessons are so down to earth and understandable and clear!  Thanks so much Steve! Cheers, Eddie

Eddie Parente
Just to say thanks for your advice and lessons.  I’ve just read your amazing story.  I really appreciate what you do in regards to teaching.  I have bought a couple of your lessons and frankly they’re undersold.   I’ve learned much more with these two lessons than with 2 years of sax teachers.   Thanks so much………..
Mike
Hey Steve! I hope you and your family are well.  I’m just writing to say thank you so much for all the resources you have made available to the saxophone community. I have been using your material for many years and I always come back to it… in fact I just took a break from practicing to write this…( reviewing “CreatingModern II-V-I Lines with simple pentatonics”.) I am, and continue to be, one of your raving fans! Blessings to you and your family this holiday season! Wishing… Read more
Gerry Aylward
Thank you for the wealth of helpful lessons you’ve provided over the years.  I truly feel as though it has improved my playing more than the 4 years I spent at Berklee… and that’s not a slight on the school as I loved my experience there.
John
John

After reading your story I will never feel quite right about complaining about any of my MINOR health issues!!    God bless Steve and I really hope that your health doesn’t stop you from fulfilling your calling.    These books have been such a help to open up my jazz vocabulary…   Thanks so much for sharing your story and for providing these great teaching tools…   John Leclerc   Saxophonist / composer/ EWI player and professional working musician of 35 years….

John Leclerc
I have found your videos and publications inspiring and your contribution to the world of saxophone playing is immense. Paul
Paul
I like so many other subscribers feel so encouraged by Steve’s learning techniques; you will enjoy reading the comments of praise others have left as you too will feel that you share a common view and path. I feel very lucky to have come across Neffmusic and that feeling will remain with you as you search through a treasure trove of learning materials on offer, you will quickly find the lessons that you are suited to. You will instantly recognize the unparalleled quality of Steve’s teaching … Read more
Stephen

Featured Video Lessons

  • Mastering the Dominant Pentatonic Sound over a Blues (Digital PDF Book) Mastering the Dominant Pentatonic Sound over a Blues (Digital PDF Book)
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $19.99 Original price was: $19.99.$14.99Current price is: $14.99.
  • The Secret to Modern Outside Jazz Lines Lesson-Minor The Secret to Modern Outside Jazz Lines Lesson-Minor $9.99
  • Creating Modern II-V-I Lines with Simple Pentatonics Lesson Creating Modern II-V-I Lines with Simple Pentatonics Lesson
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $9.99
  • The Best Embouchure for Tone, Intonation and Endurance Lesson The Best Embouchure for Tone, Intonation and Endurance Lesson
    Rated 4.91 out of 5
    $9.99
  • The Secret to Altissimo (no one has ever told you about before) Lesson The Secret to Altissimo (no one has ever told you about before) Lesson
    Rated 4.75 out of 5
    $9.99

Now over 600 video and audio lessons to choose from!

Free Lessons

  • Free Lesson on The New Ultimate II-V-I Primer-Major Keys
  • Free Video Lesson on Mastering Altered Pentatonics
  • Free Video Lesson on Mastering the Blues Scale Volume 1 & 2
  • Free Video Lesson on Mastering the Dominant Bebop Scale and Language Book 1 & 2
  • Free Video Lesson on Approach Note Velocity Book

Recent reviews

  • Bebop Scale-Altered Scale II-V-I Practice Lesson Bebop Scale-Altered Scale II-V-I Practice Lesson by Noah
  • Mastering the Dominant Pentatonic Sound over a Blues (Digital PDF Book) Mastering the Dominant Pentatonic Sound over a Blues (Digital PDF Book) by Andy
  • Mastering the Dominant Pentatonic Sound over a Blues (Digital PDF Book) Mastering the Dominant Pentatonic Sound over a Blues (Digital PDF Book)
    Rated 5 out of 5
    by Russ
  • Creating Modern II-V-I Lines with Simple Pentatonics Lesson Creating Modern II-V-I Lines with Simple Pentatonics Lesson
    Rated 5 out of 5
    by Timothy
  • The Best Embouchure for Tone, Intonation and Endurance Lesson The Best Embouchure for Tone, Intonation and Endurance Lesson
    Rated 5 out of 5
    by Ray Holland

Footer

Recent Comments

  • Giuseppe C. on Otto Link Super Tone Master Florida V Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Review
  • Dino Govoni on Snake Oil for the Saxophone? The Buzz Oversized Neck Screw by Westcoast Sax
  • Mark White on Marc Jean Saxophone Ligature II Model 700 Review
  • Gerrit Schwab on Les Becs d’Autan Florida Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Review
  • Dan on A Blast from the Past-Chromazone by Mike Stern Cover

Top rated products

  • Mastering the Major Bebop Scale & Sound (Digital PDF Book) Mastering the Major Bebop Scale & Sound (Digital PDF Book)
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $14.99
  • Tune of the Week-Softly as a Morning Sunrise Lesson Tune of the Week-Softly as a Morning Sunrise Lesson
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $9.99
  • The Style of Dexter Gordon-Lady Bird Lesson 1 The Style of Dexter Gordon-Lady Bird Lesson 1
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $9.99
  • Tune of the Week-Days of Wine and Roses Lesson Tune of the Week-Days of Wine and Roses Lesson
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $9.99
  • Tune of the Week-Invitation Tune of the Week-Invitation
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $9.99

Product tags

alto sax alto saxophone approach notes audio lesson bebop scale beginner beginner saxophone blues blues licks blues patterns blues scale blues scales diminished scale dominant chords ear training fundamentals II-V-I improvisation jazz improvisation jazz lines jazz patterns jazz sax jazz saxophone jazz standard jazz standards licks Mastering the Blues Scale Michael Brecker modern improv modern improvisation online lesson patterns playing outside practice habits reading music sax basics sax lessons saxophone scales smooth jazz steve neff tenor sax tenor saxophone video lesson video lessons
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • SUPPORT

Neffmusic © 2005–2025