Klarinet Archive - Posting 001047.txt from 1997/12

From: Mark Charette <charette@-----.com>
Subj: Re: Mouthpieces (was Re: music stores?)
Date: Sun, 28 Dec 1997 13:18:14 -0500

JohnnyWalt wrote:
> I didn't know that Hawkins was also redesigning Greg Smith mouthpieces. I
> know he is the new mouthpiece tech for Leblanc but when did he start
> redesigning Greg Smith mouthpieces?

The other way around, I believe. Richard did the design for Gregory,
using Zinner blanks. Gregory Smith re-marketed them. Now Gregory
does his own, based on that design. It's been modified somewhat
from Richard's original design.

Richard continues to create his own - I know via my son that he
spends "all-nighters" on the mouthpieces sometimes :^)

Gregory is on the list - I'm sure he'll set me straight if I'm
wrong anywhere here.

You can reach Gregory Smith at:
Gregory_Smith_Clarinet@-----.com

and Richard Hawkins at:
hawkinsrg@-----.us

I've played the Hawkins a couple of times since my son has one -
_I_ think it's grand compared with my B45. Whatever the Zinner is
made out of contributes, I think - it feels "warm" in the mouth,
not plasticky. I haven't tried the Gregory Smith or any other custom
models, though - a great reason to attend ClarinetFest in Ohio this
year! Last year I had only played for a few months when I attended
ClarinetFest and didn't see any reason to spend time checking out
the mouthpieces. Now that I can (sometimes) hit the right notes,
I _might_ be able to tell the differences :)
--
Mark Charette | "This is a very democratic organization, so let's
charette@-----. All those who disagree with me, raise
MIKA Systems, Inc.| their hands." - Eugene Ormandy
Webmaster of http://www.sneezy.org/clarinet, The Clarinet Pages