Klarinet Archive - Posting 000039.txt from 1995/05

From: CLARK FOBES <reedman@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: Mouthpiece repair/refacing
Date: Mon, 1 May 1995 17:33:02 -0400

You wrote:
>
>I am writing a research paper on the maintenance/repair and refacing
of
>clarinet/sax mouthpieces. In my research so far, it apperars that it
might
>be more cost affective to buy a new mouthpiece than to pay an expert
to
>reface it. The same for repairing. What actually can be done to a
broken
>mouthpiece to restore it to its original playing condition? I have
read the
>Eric Brand's material on refacing and several Ralp Morgan articles
from the
> Saxophone Journal. I get a little confused on some of the
nomenclature and
> descriptions of different baffles. If any of you have knowledge you
would
>like to share or recommended reading, I can be reached at
LestonT@-----.com
>
>I don't want to burden the list with postings on this subject unless
it is of
>great interest.
>
>William Turnidge
>
Mouthpiece Repair:

If a mouthpieces has been the recipient of serious damage it
usually is not possible to repair.(i.e. chips out of the tip, deep
gouges in the facing or broken tenons).

Sometimes small dents in the tip rail may appear to be chips. These
dents can be removed. Apply a hot pad slick or butter knife as closse
to the dent as possible without actually touching it. The heat from the
pad slick will pop the dent out. Some times small chips can be repaired
with super glue, but I would have an experienced mouthpiece maker do
this.

Refacing:

It may definitely be worth refacing a distinguished old mouthpiece.
Most of the highly prized Kaspar and Chedeville mouthpieces have some
problems and may need work. It would be advisable to bring a mouthpiece
to an experienced refacer before purchasing it to evaluate it's
potential. A famous stamp on a mouthpiece does not guarantee that it is
suitable for refacing.

I do not reface mouthpieces any more! So don't ask!

Clark W Fobes