Klarinet Archive - Posting 000573.txt from 1999/11

From: "Ken Wolman" <kwolman@-----.com>
Subj: RE: [kl] My Bundy, was RE:[kl] Plastic Horns
Date: Mon, 15 Nov 1999 02:50:53 -0500

> > I am also an aging beginner using an inherited non-descript Bundy
(student
> > model I think??). I guess I have the original mouthpiece. I can get a
> > goodish tone with Vandoren 2? reeds, but they take a lot of hard work
from
> > the abdominals and lungs. Vandoren 2s are easier, but they don't sound
as
> > good. Naturally my embouchure is far from perfect at this stage. Would
it be
> > worthwhile changing to a new mouthpiece? I saw various, without corking,
in
> > a second hand box at my local music store priced at $50 (approx. US$35).
Is
> > this about the right sort of price?
>
> The second hand box is probably just full of cast off junk. It is
unlikely
> that you will find anything worthwhile there. Not only are they likely to
> be no name student grade mouthpieces but may have other flaws
> like nicks or chips.

"Just because" it's a Bundy doesn't mean it should be treated like a
clarinet that deserves nore more than a so-so mouthpiece. There are plenty
of far more experienced people on this list, including Dee, who will tell
you this, so DON'T take it from me: the mouthpiece and reed are the most
critical part of a setup, regardless of the horn (unless it was made in
Dilbert's land of Elbonia). Mouthpieces are one place it does not pay to
stint or be pennywise unless you know the person or store selling you the
used mouthpiece that's "as good as a Selmer." The best part of the Bundy
bass I bought last winter was that it did NOT come with a mouthpiece: so I
had to drop some serious change on a Selmer D (aka HS**?) as my standard
mouthpiece. It was worth it. I've since added a Vandoren B46 (real open,
for jazz blowing) and Pomarico #1 (real closed), and I don't regret the
expenses for a second. No, the clarinet is not a pro Selmer, but a really
good mouthpiece gets the best out of the instrument...which in the case of
at least the older student horns is pretty darned good.

Unless you are planning on turning pro next week or you've inherited a
tax-free fortune from a relative you didn't know you had and don't care
about, you'll get lots of playing time and satisfaction from the Bundy IF
you put a mouthpiece on it that you'd buy for a top-drawer pro horn. Drek
mouthpieces probably will make the best pro horn sound like a drek horn.

Note: the Prestini soprano sax I'm still trying to sell (hint, hint) came
with a Prestini mouthpiece that is just awful. When I put the Yanigasawa #5
on it, that used $50 mouthpiece sold a horn that cost $725 more than that.
Prestini makes a nice instrument but their stock mouthpiece is a piece of
sh*t. A dealer, BTW, that will not let you try other mouthpieces but forces
you to settle, is not worth dealing with. Run, do not walk, away from
places like this.

No plug here since I don't own one, but you will probably find
reasonably-priced student mouthpieces among some of the people who advertise
on or post to this list: Ridenour, Pyne, or Hite. The Hite Premiere for a
Bb clarinet is about $25 bucks and is a fabulous mouthpiece. Otherwise,
stick to quality "big name" brands and be prepared to shell out some money.
You won't regret it.

I haven't even mentioned ligatures yet....

Ken
----------------------------
Kenneth Wolman "From The Meadowlands" -
http://www.rio-cardoner.com
"When you stop falling, you will be in Heaven. When you stop getting up,
you will
be in Hell." -- Michael Torkington

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