Klarinet Archive - Posting 000565.txt from 2001/10

From: GrabnerWG@-----.com
Subj: [kl] Tropical Woods - progress report
Date: Wed, 17 Oct 2001 20:17:03 -0400

Some of you have asked me to report on my mouthpiece and barrel researches. If you're one of them, please read on.

If you think I'm advertising......please don't.

I have been experimenting all week with a lovely Cocus wood mouthpiece, which I made up from a Zinner blank.

I've been intrigued with matching up this mouthpiece with a barrel made from a softer wood than Grenadilla. I've been making cocobolo barrels as you all know for awhile now, so the marriage seemed inevitable.

The mouthpiece itself has a deeper upper baffle than most I play on, so the barrel has to be a little shorter and a little smaller diameter to stay in tune. I remained within the "idea" of a Moennig bore, just a trifle less in diameter.

I find the tone to be full, warm, and not forced. In other words "mellow". A very pretty sound, not forced, or harsh, or fuzzy.

Even with the "mellowness" I feel like projection would NOT be a problem, due to the rich array of overtones I hear spinning around my head.

So, I'll take the Cocus wood mouthpiece, and my best cocobolo barrel to orchestra thurs night.

We'll see what the comments are!

If you want to see the mouthpiece and three of the barrels, go to www.clarinetxpress.com, and then click on the "odds and Ends" link.

Yes, Oliver, yes Clark, it works. I tested it first this time.

Walter
www.clarinetxpress.com

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