Klarinet Archive - Posting 000258.txt from 2006/08

From: Ed Wojtowicz <ewoj@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] $650 mouthpieces???
Date: Sun, 20 Aug 2006 13:01:52 -0400


On Aug 19, 2006, at 2:32 PM, Bryan Crumpler wrote:

> Hi all,
>
> Just wondering if anyone has tried or had any credible reviews of
> the Behn International's clarinet mouthpieces

Brad does very fine work. I have had the opportunity to play one of
his Vintage mouthpieces and it was a beautifully made mouthpiece.

On Aug 19, 2006, at 2:58 PM, Karl Krelove wrote:
>
> I *have* tried one of the Backun/Morales mouthpieces, which are
> also selling
> in the same price range, or were, last I heard......

The Backun mouthpiece is $500

On Aug 19, 2006, at 6:49 PM, Michael Norsworthy wrote:
> This translates into a MUCH higher cost to manufacturer the
> blanks that Brad works from and it's worth mentioning that he's the
> only
> mouthpiece maker that I know of that's actually manufacturing his own
> blanks.

Last I knew, Guy Chadash machined the Chadash-Hill blanks that Chris
Hill uses. These are also made from a vintage rubber compound of some
type.

It is interesting to note that when you see a price increase on new
clarinets or some new clarinet with a higher price tag there are
always cries of outrage from many clarinetists. I guess they don't
note what many of our colleagues pay for their instruments.

I recall about 20 years ago when folks like Dave Guardala began to
produce high end saxophone mouthpieces for people like Michael
Brecker and Branford Marsalis. These mouthpieces sold in the $500-
$600 range and people thought this was nuts. It is not uncommon today
for many sax mouthpieces to fall into this range and the original
Guardala mouthpieces fetch many times that amount on ebay.

I am not sure if you can put a price on great artistry, whether it be
great playing or the work that many of our great craftsmen do. A
great mouthpiece is a true work of art and makes the job of a player
much easier and is a joy to play.

Ed

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