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

Website of Steve Neff

  • BLOG
  • SHOP
  • MEMBER’S AREA
    • JOIN
    • FAQ
    • MEMBER LOGIN
    • Member Monthly Lessons
  • RAVES
  • CONTACT
You are here: Home / Reviews / Mouthpiece Reviews / Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews / Tenor Low Baffle Reviews / Modern STM Otto Link Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Refaced by Brian Powell

Modern STM Otto Link Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Refaced by Brian Powell

June 18, 2010 by Steve 8 Comments

This is a modern Super Tone Master Otto Link tenor saxophone mouthpiece.   Everyone knows that buying a modern metal Otto Link is pretty much a roll of the dice.  I remember going to a music store and trying 10 of them and not liking any of them.  Many times over the years I have stopped at different  stores just to see what they had for Otto Link mouthpiece and I was almost always disappointed.  Some of them were just horrible to play.  I have had students come in with metal links that had crooked facings, uneven tips, and horribly uneven tables.  Many of these mouthpieces were causing the students to really struggle for months if not years.

The best think you can do for a link like this is send it to get refaced.  There are many great refacers out there.  They measure your mouthpiece to see how it measures up and then fix it so that it plays as well as it can.  This mouthpiece was refaced by Brian Powell who opened it up to a .115 from it’s original .095.  A friend of mine sent it to me to see what I thought of it.

I have to say upfront that I think this is one of the loudest metal links I have ever played.  This mouthpiece has some serious volume to it.  It’s not that bright kind of loudness that a link with a baffle might have but more of a medium husky kind of volume.  I think because of the .115 tip I could put a lot more air through it than my other .105 and .110 tips.  It felt that way anyways.

I played this mouthpiece for a few hours and it felt really comfortable to play although I did notice that my embouchure was getting mighty tired by the end.  I think I was subconsciously putting more pressure on the reed to push it closer to the tip of the mouthpiece so that it felt more like a .105-.110 tip to me.  That can sometimes happen when you move to a bigger tip.

The mouthpiece has what I consider a brighter than average link sound to it but not overly bright.  Like most mouthpieces with a bigger tip,  it tends to have a bigger more spread sound to it that has a little more of a hollow quality to it. (As opposed to a smaller tip that to me has a more focused, compact and centered sound to it.)  This was a great mouthpiece and I’m glad I had a chance to try it.  I think I will still stick with my .105 tip openings though………..Let me know what you think.

https://www.neffmusic.com/images/mp3/BPLink115.mp3

Filed Under: Tenor Low Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Brian Powell, otto link, Super Tone Master, tenor saxophone

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. AvatarGerardo Avila says

    November 27, 2010 at 9:53 pm

    Hi Steve
    I’m about to buy one of this mouthpieces and willing also to send it to Brian because I know they come in a very bad quality. Do you know what’s the diference from this mp and the one called OTTO LINK STM-NY? is the NY model more dark or bright? does it have more baffle?

    Thanks!

    Reply
    • stevesteve says

      November 27, 2010 at 10:32 pm

      The NY is darker. The chamber is larger so it sounds fatter and darker. I prefer going with the regular STM as there is more to work with with a refacer. They could always open up the chamber if you wanted. If the chamber is big it’s a lot harder to add material to make it smaller.

      Reply
  2. AvatarMike says

    June 22, 2012 at 1:11 pm

    Hi Steve,

    How would an Otto Link NY 7 compare to a Phil Barone Super NY?
    I’ve just borrowed a few mouthpieces from my local music shop and the Otto Link NY 7 is absolutely amazing.. for only 200€!! Would Phil’s Super New York be even better?

    Mike

    Reply
    • stevesteve says

      June 29, 2012 at 10:45 am

      Hi Mike, Sorry for the delay. I was on vacation with the family. I can’t really answer your question as there are huge variations between Otto Link mouthpieces. I’ve never played one that is better than my Barone SNY but that doesn’t mean it might not be better for you. If you think the NY Link is amazing then I say go for it. What you think and how you sound is the most important thing. It’s better to have a “bird in the hand rather than two in the bush” as they say. See where the NY link takes you. You can always migrate to a Barone or another mouthpiece later.

      PS. In general terms I would guess that the Barone SNY is brighter than your NY link and has more power. I’m just taking a shot in the dark here as I haven’t played your NY link. Good Luck, hope this helps.

      Reply
  3. AvatarMike says

    February 3, 2015 at 6:48 pm

    Just had the Otto Link 7 refaced to have a longer facing. It makes it have a more vintage sound and easier to control.
    I would highly recommend anyone out there to have an otto link refaced making the facing longer to 24mm.
    “At 24.5mm to 25mm, the facing length is longer than most Links (which are at 23-24mm). A 26mm would be a very long facing. 27mm is too long for some reed cuts and will start leaking air out the side.” Mojo.
    And he’s right. Since my mouthpiece has been modified its just such a pleasure to play. Its the same mouthpiece as Nicolas Trefeil said having modified it, but its just refaced longer like in Lester Young’s time..

    Reply
    • SteveSteve says

      February 19, 2015 at 2:51 pm

      Thanks for sharing Mike. I tend to like 24mm facings the best I think…………..Something about how they play with softer reeds I really like. Steve

      Reply
  4. AvatarAndrew says

    May 31, 2020 at 12:32 pm

    I usually play an Optimum TL3 with a 3 V12 reed. I have a modern STM 5 refaced to 6 by a well known refacer. I can’t get it to play well. It requires concentrated effort to stop it squeaking. I’ve tried Vandoren blues, V12 and jazz select, nothing has worked so far. The face is wider than the Vandoren reeds and I think this may be an issue. Any reed suggestions are welcome.

    Reply
    • SteveSteve says

      June 1, 2020 at 9:55 am

      That’s strange. Does it always get suction with the suction test? If refaced it should not be that hard to get it to play well and it certainly shouldn’t be squeaking. If the facing is so wide that the reed doesn’t get suction then that is a problem. Steve

      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

Just a brief note to compliment you on your teaching skills and in particular for the honesty of your lessons.  I am a returning alto sax player in my 50’s and I was looking for a no nonsense, straight to the point kind of guidance. I had intended to email you with a few questions regarding the use of the bis key but then I noticed that there was a lesson on that specific topic and after viewing it,  all my questions were answered. I once took a group lesson with a well known professional sax … Read more
Patrick
Hi Steve, I can’t express just how much I appreciate your teaching. My playing has improved so much over the past year since I have been studying and practicing with your lessons. It is possible to teach an old dog new tricks, these lessons are proof! Thanks, Michael Byington
Michael Byington
First, I’m really excited about your materials! This site is a vast resource for any aspiring (and maybe already inspired) jazz musicians. I’m not a sax player, I play mandolin and fiddle, but have been learning jazz and playing weekly with a quintet for the past 6 months and have been struggling with all of the issues you get into in your lessons. I bought several books and lessons and plan to continue with some others as soon as I organize my practice routine. Thanks again for a great site … Read more
Tony Galfano
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
I am enjoying your style of teaching, and you’ve done a great job with the videos….good sound quality and well constructed lessons.  Balances the more guitaristic material found on the majority of guitar based programs.  Jazz vocab is what I’m all about at this point in the journey.   I especially dig the fact that you’ve studied with Bergonzi…helps me see his voluminous output in a more  bite sized way.
Milton
I’ve been having ‘ online’  lessons with Steve for a few months now. Being a teacher myself I had had some reservations with the idea at first and the practicalities of it .  Let me just say that my playing has taken a huge leaps forward while studying with Steve and continues to do so.Steve studied with some renowned player/teachers such as Bergonzi and Garzone– this in itself is invaluable but Steve teaches from his own books, which cover a a vast amount of  jazz language. Steve h… Read more
David

Thank You Steve. I think that I will be busy for years. Thank You for your great contribution to jazz music. Your books, more than teaching “how to play jazz”, actually teach “how to speak jazz”. I wish I found your methods years ago.  

Jean-Eric

I want to thank you again, because, not only are you an inspiration to listen to, you are a fine teacher!

I have been teaching sax and other winds for over 20 years, and you give me that “push” to give my students more!

Mark Peotter

Mark Peotter
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
I am a music book junkie and I have to say that your books are the most clear, user friendly, and helpful books I own.  They are my absolute favorites and I only wish I had them years ago.  I wouldn’t change a thing about the experience I had in acquiring my degree at Berklee, but my playing has perhaps grown more in the time I’ve spent buried in your books and lessons.  Keep up the great work!!! Thanks, John
John

Featured Video Lessons

  • Mastering the Dominant Pentatonic Sound over a Blues (Digital PDF Book)
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $19.99
  • The Secret to Modern Outside Jazz Lines Lesson-Minor $9.99
  • 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
    Rated 4.91 out of 5
    $9.99
  • 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!
BECOME A MEMBER TODAY AND SAVE BIG ON EACH LESSON!

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

  • 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
    Rated 5 out of 5
    by Ray Holland
  • Mastering the Dominant Pentatonic Sound over a Blues (Digital PDF Book)
    Rated 5 out of 5
    by Lloyd Whitty
  • Mastering the Dominant Pentatonic Sound over a Blues (Digital PDF Book)
    Rated 5 out of 5
    by Murray Middleman
  • Mastering the Dominant Pentatonic Sound over a Blues (Digital PDF Book)
    Rated 5 out of 5
    by Paul

Footer

Recent Comments

  • Steve on 10mFan Supernova Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece Review
  • Vicente Serna on 10mFan Supernova Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece Review
  • Giuseppe C. on Retro Revival Modern Line Cutting Edge Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Review
  • Felipe on Ted Klum London Model Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Review
  • Safwat Rouf on Drake FG (Freddie Gregory) Model Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Review

Top rated products

  • The Style of Michael Brecker-Lesson 2
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $9.99
  • Developing Relative Pitch-Lesson 3
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $9.99
  • Mastering Major Diatonic Patterns (Digital PDF Book)
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $14.99
  • Mastering The Dominant Bebop Scale Lesson 1
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $9.99
  • In A Mellow Tone Dominant Bebop Solo Lesson
    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 © 2005–2023