Klarinet Archive - Posting 000006.txt from 1994/06

From: Clark W Fobes <reedman@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: Mouthpiece materials
Date: Wed, 1 Jun 1994 19:58:04 -0400

On Wed, 1 Jun 1994, James E. Perone = Music wrote:

> In response to Clark Fobes' comments on mouthpiece materials: Thanks
> for all the info!!!! I also purchase blanks from Babbitt which I hand
> face and adjust and sell in the Western New York area. I beg to differ
> with your views on the new composite material in so far as the final
> results are concerned. Yes, it is easier to work with, but my customers
> seem to like the "old" material better, all other variables being equal.
> My question, do you find that you have to do anything differently with
> Babbitt's new blanks as opposed to their old ones???????
>
> Jim Perone
> perone@-----.bitnet
>

I don't know what vintage you are referring to when you ask about the "old"
Babbitt blanks. I have my own mold at Babbitt so I am not sure if I can
comment very securely on other molds. I am very frustrated with the lack
of quality control from Babbitt, so every batch of mouthpieces I recieve
requires some extra attention. In fact, I have begun to include a batch
letter with each serial #.

I just received some new mouthpieces today and I was very pleased with
the quality of the rubber. I thought the "German rubber" was tops and I
am disappointed that they felt it was too expensive to continue using.

Clark W Fobes