Klarinet Archive - Posting 000003.txt from 2004/09

From: "Ken Wolman" <kwolman@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] Stock mouthpieces (was re: selecting a Clarinet)
Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2004 09:19:19 -0400

D. Blumberg wrote:
> Curtis - you must have gotten a really bad Gigliotti Mouthpiece!! I
> would have said the same thing about the B45 (which I played in 9th
> grade).
> Personally, I would never now play a "stock" mouthpiece. But a good
> stock mouthpiece will beat out a bad hand faced one.

I probably picked up this information here, but don't remember when. I
gather that there can be distinct variations between mouthpieces that
ostensibly are the same model. I owned a B45 I absolutely hated; other
people swear by them. The Selmer HS* that came years ago with my old
clarinet was a well-focused, free-blowing joy. I have to think it was
made around the same time as the clarinet, c. 1957. I replaced it two
years ago with another HS* that probably was manufactured in the last
couple of years; I avoid playing because no matter what reed and
ligature I try, and however I seat the reed, the sound is stuffy and I
have to push to the point of discomfort. So I am willing to believe
that models get redesigned and not always for the better.

People have talked up the 5RV to me, and the Pyne Polycrystal seems
attractive, but after having owned and played one custom-made mouthpiece
for awhile, I'd rather throw coins into my penny jar rather than buy
something in a store, only to find I'm stuck with it.

Ken
--
Kenneth Wolman
Proposal Development Department
Room SW334
Sarnoff Corporation
609-734-2538

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