Klarinet Archive - Posting 000441.txt from 2002/09

From: EClarinet@-----.com
Subj: Re: [kl] Question about Woodwind Company mouthpieces
Date: Sat, 21 Sep 2002 09:20:41 -0400

In a message dated 9/21/02 3:05:23 AM EST, klarinet-digest-help@-----.org
writes:

<< The Woodwind Company is Leblanc's mouthpiece-making arm. I currently play
the K10M and am VERY happy with it. It is responsive, smooth, and has
excellent intonation on my Selmer Series 10. The K10M is the standard
mouthpiece that comes with several Leblanc models, including the Concerto,
Infinite, Esprit, and Sonata, as well as the Noblet 45 and 40 and Vito V40.

By the way, the "M" stands for "medium" and refers to the facing
length. There are also K10S and K10L models, as well as K2L; K5S, M, and
L; K15S, M, and L; and K20S. I'm not sure what the numbers represent, but
it is my understanding that Tom Ridenour had a hand in their design. The
K10M is described as having a "medium" tip opening also. I use a Mitchell
Lurie 3 1/2 on it, where I had been using Mitchell Lurie 4 1/2 on my
O'Brien OB* crystal, my previous regular mouthpiece. The K10M does not
"run out of gas" like the O'Brien does when pushed.
>>

The numbers refer to the tip opening....a K5M is a 1.05 mm opening with a
medium facing length, whereas a K10L would be a 1.10 opening with a long
facing length, and etc. Tom Ridenour did design these, and the K stands for
'Kenosha', where Leblanc's factory is. Tom said he tried to use a numbering
system that would be easy to decipher. He also insisted that these
mouthpieces be 'finished' on the inside (not sure if I'm using the right term
here)....that they be polished and not rough, as many stock mouthpieces are.
I don't think the quality control on this brand is as good as it was when Tom
was the manager of the Woodwind Company, but I still use these as the basic
mouthpiece for my clarinet students...most of them play on the K10M. This
mouthpiece is SO much better than a Vandoren B45 for the all-around playing
that middle and high school students do, and more consistent from mouthpiece
to mouthpiece too....you know if you are getting a K15M that it is a 1.15
opening, whereas with a B45, you could be getting anything from a 1.15 to a
1.22!

Elise Curran
Orlando

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