Klarinet Archive - Posting 000205.txt from 2000/02

From: "Clark W Fobes" <reedman@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] Wells - Stowell - Schneider Mouthpiece
Date: Fri, 4 Feb 2000 01:10:01 -0500

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Walter,

That is a very interesting mouthpiece you have. I have never seen =
one, but I know a little bit about the history.

Wells was a well known mouthpiece maker in Chicago and was =
contemporary with the Kaspars*. Stowell ( Jerry or Gerry?) was the =
assistant principal and Eb player with the Chicago Symphony during the =
Reiner era. I believe he and Clark Brody were in the orchestra at the =
same time. Schneider was the money behind the trio. At some point there =
was a major falling out and I think Wells just went his own way and =
contemned to make very good mouthpieces on his own. I understand that he =
worked at a place called the "Sax Shop" in Evanston until just a few =
years ago. I believe he is now dead.

The blank in question is most likely a Chedeville. I have seen =
several styles of Chedevilles as used by the Kaspars and stamped =
Chedevilles. Wells was astute enough to probably ream his mouthpieces. =
At one time JJ. Babbitt Co. made blanks for Wells. They are easy to =
identify because of the odd shape of the window.
They "squeeze" in dramatically near the base of the window.

I also know that a company called "Sumner" was in business for many =
years making blanks and finished mouthpieces near Chicago. It is =
possible that Wells used those blanks. I believe Ralph Morgan bought all =
of the machinery when Sumner went defunct.

You may want to contact Greg Smith. I would guess that he knows a =
lot about the mouthpiece history around Chicago.

Clark W Fobes

* I recently found out from a very good source that the Kaspars were =
not Uncle and nephew as I had originally thought, but they were cousins!

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