Klarinet Archive - Posting 000139.txt from 2000/04

From: GrabnerWG@-----.com
Subj: Re: [kl] Concave table (was Need help from list.)
Date: Wed, 5 Apr 2000 01:37:57 -0400

I received many responses to my query. Thanks to all of you for your help.

The reason that I asked the question is as follows. In working with the Zinner blanks, I found that they all come with concave tables. One person suggested to me that this was caused by a manufacturing problem.

In corresponding with a highly regarded mouthpiece technician, I was informed that this concavity is intentional, and in somewhat of an imitation of the old Chedeville blanks, which also supposedly had the same feature.

The Zinner blanks are certainly excellent, they produce a lively and focused tone which can be "dark" (sorry Dan) but not dull. I thought that this was due mostly to the angled vs parallel wall construction (inner walls of the baffle).

However, I have found that if you sand the table flat, which is certainly possible, much of the "magic" of the mouthpiece seems to disappear. Now you can still make a fine mouthpiece, but a lot of the "liveliness" seems to be missing.

In the "CXZ" line of mouthpieces that I sell, I have been leaving the table just as it comes, and adjusting the facing and the width of the side and tip rails. I have gotten excellent results.

Excellent, that is except for a few individuals who seem somewhat baffled by the arrangement.

So, I needed a reality check.

As you can see from the posts, many mouthpiece models come with a concave table, and people are playing happily on them on a daily basis.

I was taught that anything other than a totally flat table was an anathema. Not I find myself playing on Bb/A and eefer mouthpieces with cancave tables.

Anybody else have experiences, fact OR opinion on this issue?????

Thanks for all the responses. You have helped.

Walter Grabner
www.clarinetxpress.com

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Unsubscribe from Klarinet, e-mail: klarinet-unsubscribe@-----.org
Subscribe to the Digest: klarinet-digest-subscribe@-----.org
Additional commands: klarinet-help@-----.org
Other problems: klarinet-owner@-----.org