Klarinet Archive - Posting 000267.txt from 2009/10

From: "Gary/Jan Truesdail" <gir@-----.net>
Subj: RE: [kl] Clarinet Mouthpieces
Date: Sun, 25 Oct 2009 17:53:43 -0400

Anyone that wants a closed tip might also want a long lay to go along with
the tip - requires hard reeds.
Hammerschmidt makes a good one but you had better be prepared to start with
#5 reeds, clip them to a #8 then sand them down to where you want them and
then practice every day to stay in shape. Gave that up long ago after 20
years of symphony work.

Now do only freebie community concert band stuff. My old Hammerschmidt was
literally wearing out due to tooth impressions and began to crack at a tip
corner. I was not playing as much as earlier years and decided the old
Hamm.. was too much effort any more. Switched to a Greg Smith 1+. Had him
open it up a little more, I lengthened the lay a little more and just
couldn't get it to do what I wanted. Couldn't get used to it. Emergency
purchase in the works. Tried 8 Ridenours. Each played differently, bright
or stuffy or intonation problems with my Selmer 9, this or that and were
unacceptable except one that felt like what I wanted. I made it work with 3
1/2 reeds V12's .

New season starts and I said to myself "Greg can make his mouthpiece work
then so can I". Went back to it. I slapped on a V12 3 1/2 and said I'm
gonna make it work or you go to a student. Miracles happened, it didn't
like the student idea and gave in and worked beautifully.
Almost every V12 3 1/2 in a box works with little or no alterations. Some
lasted a full year without getting brighter or losing response. Only time
the reed gets bad is during an Oktoberfest gig. On this mouthpiece it is
easy to play PPPP and FFF if necessary but 3 hours of FF will take a toll on
the reed. He uses the mouthpiece in the Chicago Symph and I do only concert
band work. It has a good tone, tood response and good intonation.

Try a Greg Smith, and he's willing to work with you for customizing.

Gary Truesdail

------------------------------------------------------------------