Klarinet Archive - Posting 001447.txt from 1998/05

From: "Mark A. Bradley" <markb@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] Plastic mouthpieces
Date: Fri, 29 May 1998 16:27:15 -0400

To tell if your mouthpiece is plastic or rubber, here is a trick I
learned. Rub the mouthpiece briskly on your sleeve. If it is rubber it
should produce that distinguishable "sulfer" smell, kind of like a
rubber tire. (then put it in your mouth...yuck)

Other ways to distinguish drill rubber rod mouthpieces from plastic:
-I have heard that you can see drill marks in the bore, but I wouldn't
know it if I saw any.
-The outside of rubber is shiny, while the inside is dull. Plastics are
usually shiny througout.
-After playing for awhile (a month or more), rubber mouthpieces should
show virtually no sign of wear on the top, while plastic will have
visible signs of wear.

I used to use an old rubber mouthpiece. I had it for about 5 years, and
I believe it was used before me. It never showed any signs of wear. I
received my Buffet and used the plastic mp that came with it. I was
surprised when it started having grooves where my teeth were, and
wondered if it was me, since I did not know much about plastic vs.
rubber. I believe that is the way with most plastic mouthpieces, and I
would think that if you want to keep it you should get a patch ASAP.

Hope this helps a little.
--
Mark A. Bradley
markb@-----.com
-------------------------------------------------------------
If at first you don't succeed, parachuting is not your sport.
-------------------------------------------------------------

---------------------------------------------------------------------
For additional commands, e-mail: klarinet-help@-----.org
For other problems, e-mail: klarinet-owner@-----.org