Klarinet Archive - Posting 000225.txt from 1999/08

From: Roger Garrett <rgarrett@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: [kl] Student Mouthpieces: Plastic vs Hard Rubber
Date: Wed, 11 Aug 1999 09:53:19 -0400

We have it on record from a highly recommended mouthpiece maker that hard
rubber mouthpieces can have a richer sound than acrylic (plastic)
mouthpieces. Of course, I am assuming this is comparing two blanks that
are dimensionally the same but have different properties in terms of
materials.

I really found the discussion of the consistency of the quality of the
blanks of plastic vs. hard rubber to be interesting - the former being
more consistent from blank to blank. Injection vs. compression modling is
also interesting. Is the markup on the hard rubber then because of going
through so many blanks to produce a quality mouthpiece? Does this maker
throw blanks away that do not meet standards? Is the time involved
in making the hard rubber mouthpieces five times greater than a plastic
counterpart?

Of course, I am in complete agreement with the idea that acoustical design
and expert hand finishing is more important than materials. But my
initial post had to do soley with materials - comparing mouthpieces of
identical design (intended dimensions) of differring material. The
question had to do with why a hard rubber mouthpiece is $150 and a nearly
identical mouthpiece of plastic is $25.

I also agree that, given a choice between hard rubber at $150 and plastic
at $29, with little discernible difference to the beginner, is
preferrable. I simply ask why it has to be this way? I already know the
answer - but the question is really designed for everyone else.

In no way am I putting down the work of good mouthpiece makers - we need
them, and they contribute enormously to the development of our students.
But consider the information presented and consider why we prefer hard
rubber to plastic and why those mouthpieces are so much more - even when
supply and demand doesn't impact on them. It is the age old problem of
business vs. intent. The mouthpiece maker has to make a profit to be able
to produce mouthpieces at all - if that is their only source of income.
If it is not the only source of income, we must ask ourselves why the
markup? If we sell 6000 $29 plastics that are not as good as our 600 $150
mouthpieces, why are we not just selling hard rubber mouthpieces that play
better than plastics? The reason is economics - and profit. Although it
may be easier to market $29 plastics to small stores, large stores, and
chains.

For example, let's assume you sell 6000 plastics at $29 and they cost you
$12 per blank. You come away with a net profit of approximately $102,000.
Let's say you market 600 hard rubber mouthpieces for $150. You come away
with approximately a $79,000 profit. Obviously, the more inferior product
is making more money. What if you successfully market 3000 hard rubber
mouthpieces for $50 each? Profit is then ~ $96,000. Keep in mind, these
are the discount RETAIL costs - the maker isn't making this. Only
guessing, the $29 mouthpiece probably only brings $9 per mouthpiece to the
maker. The hard rubber brings at least $80 to the maker.

I am not making conclusions for what people should or should not do, I am
motivated by the following:

1. What is the best material
2. Given the same maker, what is the best material
3. Are mouthpieces available in hard rubber that are better than
hand crafted plastics?
4. If #3 is not yes, than can available hard rubbers be faced to be
better than plastics?
5. Do we, as consumers, have no choice but to pay $150 for a good
hard rubber mouthpiece?
6. What are our alternatives?

We are in a free market economy - mouthpiece makers can do what they like,
and some of them, such as Clark Fobes and Jim Pyne make very, very good
products. They should get the $ they feel they are worth - no argument
from me.

Are there other solutions than the Porche, Mercedes, and Prowler for the
standard consumer? Are the Porches, Mercedes, and Prowlers any better
than the Accord, Camry, Ecipse, etc?

All interesting to me.......
Roger Garrett
Professor of Clarinet
Director - Concert Band, Symphonic Winds & Titan Band
Advisor - Recording Studio
Illinois Wesleyan University

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