Klarinet Archive - Posting 000011.txt from 1999/06

From: Roger Garrett <rgarrett@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: [kl] Kaspar Mouthpieces
Date: Mon, 31 May 1999 08:58:12 -0400

On Mon, 31 May 1999, Jim Lande & Joyce Mason wrote:
> Kaspar mouthpieces have been getting some high prices on eBay. There
> have been a lot of postings on Klarinet about how leading mpc guys
> customize mouthpieces for a clarinetist's style, setup, etc. Can these
> old Kaspars be customized? What if they have already been customized?
> How likely is it that someone will buy one of the Kaspars and have it be
> just right for them?
>
> jim

Most certainly they can be customized. In other words, you can purchase a
Kaspar and have it refaced or have it adjusted slightly. Keep in mind
however, that once you begin to work on the mouthpiece (or have someone
else work on the mouthpiece), it really isn't entirely a Kaspar anymore.

The old Kaspars were made from very, very good blanks. Because of EPA
standards, these blanks can't be made anymore (from exactly the same
materials). Additionally, the Kaspars were legendary for their ability to
produce great sounding mouthpieces. I used to own two, one was a Cicero
and the other an Ann Arbor. I kep the Ann Arbor as a model for mouthpiece
making. I have been tempted to sell it also, but it has sentimental value
as well as $ value.
Roger Garrett
Professor of Clarinet
Director - Concert Band, Symphonic Winds & Titan Band
Advisor - Recording Studio
Illinois Wesleyan University

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