I picked this modern Otto Link STM up on Ebay……..it’s a .108 tip that was refaced by Brian Powell. I have loved everything I’ve played that Brian Powell has worked on and I was curious to see what he could do to a modern otto link. To be honest, I’ve played about 20 modern Otto Link STM’s in the last 10 years at different music stores and from WW&BW. I never found one I liked. I remember trying some in a music store years ago and all 4 of them were horrible to me. (maybe I was just having a bad day). I wanted to see if this one would play. To tell you the truth, I love it.
It plays great. It has that nice link vibe to it. I played one clip with a 3 reed and one clip with a 2 1/2. The different reeds give it a very different sound but both played great. Sometimes I hear people say to “Just go and buy a Florida Link…..the modern otto links are awful”. After getting this one I think all you need to do is get a modern link and send it to get refaced. You can decide if you like the sound of this one or not. Let me know what you think.
Listen………
Size 2 1/2 Java Reed Clip
Size 3 Java Reed Clip
Hi:
I like the 2.5 reed better. It sounds fuller and more flexible, however I’m not sure about the altisimo. Did the reed close off or did you mess up, not open your throat enough etc? Be honest.
Larry W
I can’t remember back that far sorry. Steve
Hey Steve, just wondering, but do you personally prefer the feel of metal or rubber?
Modern Links are plagued with excessive and uneven width on the side and tip rails, and the window lacks an undercut. That tends to make them stuffy and unresponsive. Fortunately, those problems can be remedied by a reasonably careful person with a jeweler”s file, without altering the facing curve.