Klarinet Archive - Posting 000227.txt from 1995/11

From: diane cawein <dcawein@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Gregory Smith mouthpieces
Date: Sat, 11 Nov 1995 22:36:18 -0500

In response to Sean's letter of 11/8/95:

>
> I wondered if anyone has tried the latest Gregory Smith mouthpieces?
> I just heard that Larry Combs has just recently switched to one of
> Gregory's mouthpieces as his full time mouth piece. Anyone got info on
> this???
> Sean
> University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
>
To Sean and all other interested clarinetists:

I just got off the phone with Greg Smith...I told him about this
clarinet listserve, and once he learns how to use his new computer, he
will most likely pay all of us a visit on this network. However, until
then, he gave me some information to pass on to all of you. His
mouthpieces are made from Hans Zimmer blanks and are of the old
Chedeville style. He hand-faces each mouthpiece himself, and has three
facings available: 1, 1*, and 1+ He compares these facings to
Kaspar mouthpieces as such:

Smith Kaspar Reed Strength (V12)

1 #11 harder 3 1/2 or soft 4

1* #11-12 harder 3 1/2 or soft 4

1+ #13 softer 3 1/2

The mouthpieces are $150 each (yes, they are expensive, but wouldn't
you pay almost anything for a great mouthpiece??) and Greg provides a
tester reed for each mouthpiece...(He tests each reed on the
mouthpiece before he sends it, and looks for a reed that is vibrant)

I recently ordered 3 #1's to try (Greg uses a #1 and Larry Combs
uses a 1* now) and was very pleased with one in particular. For me,
the reed he set aside for this particular mouthpiece felt a bit too
soft, so I tried one of my 4's and it worked great. So, don't be
surprised if the reed he sends may not work for you. Just experiment.

I find the pitch to be very good on these mouthpieces, and the
articulation is excellent. I have played on a Gigliotti "P" for six
years now, and although I loved it, I immediately found Greg's
mouthpieces to have an easier feel...I don't feel as much backed up
wind pressure with Greg's mouthpiece as I did on my Gig. Yet, you can
really "blow through" Greg's mouthpieces...you just don't have to work
as hard.

A mouthpiece is such a personal subject, so I hope my
descriptions don't seem too difficult to understand...all I can say is
that they are certainly worth a try, and you have to come up with your
own conclusions.

You may contact Greg Smith at his home phone #: 708-866-8331

Good Luck...if you have any further questions, please e-mail me
directly.

Diane Cawein
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
dcawein@-----.edu