Klarinet Archive - Posting 000537.txt from 1995/03

From: Martin Pergler <pergler@-----.EDU>
Subj: Mouthpiece prices??
Date: Wed, 22 Mar 1995 17:34:30 -0500

The recent talk about custom and "special" mouthpieces has made me
curious about how much these coveted objects cost, roughly.
Say a secondhand Kaspar or a Pyne -- is it just slightly more than
a stock Vandoren or other widely distributed "name" brand (these seem
to go for $50-$100 in various stores in Chicago), or is roughly the
cost of a good used clarinet? In between? How about the cost of
getting a custom-made mouthpiece?

Speaking of which, what *is* a reasonable price for good used
"pro-level" A and Bb clarinets, roughly? I have a friend who
is now enamoured of getting an A (wanted to buy mine! No way!) and
needs to know if he can afford even thinking about it.

About mouthpieces, I'm speaking on the basis of general interest here --
people have spoken about it on this list, so I'm curious about the
general price range. Frankly, for myself at my current level, I still
think money is better spent on lessons and music than on chasing the
ideal equipment set-up. But it would be nice to know -- what if I damage
my mouthpiece and need to get a new one? Are these options I can consider
at all?

Thanks, Martin

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Martin Pergler pergler@-----.edu
Grad student, Mathematics
Univ. of Chicago