 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: inspiring musician
Date: 2006-01-04 21:26
This week as I was browsing on Walter Grabner's Website, I noticed that he just started selling his new Kasper CXZ_Chicago made on a Zinner blank. I know most of you have heard about or played his excellent Kasper mouthpieces including the K11, K13, K14, and K2e, but this CXZ_Chicago is his latest version. This mouthpiece was developed in conjunction with several of the world's finest clarinetists, and is now being played by Larry Combs of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. When I spoke to Mr. Grabner personally, he told me that Larry Combs was looking for a mouthpiece to replace his Richard Hawkins "B Model mouthpiece", so now Mr. Combs plays on the CXZ_Chicago (Kasper Chicago) mouthpiece in the CSO and seems to me that obviously he enjoys it.
For months I have been searching for a top quality mouthpiece, and I think that his CXZ_Chicago mouthpiece will be amazing. I am expecting to receive two of them in the mail by the end of this week, and I know I want be dissapointed. These mouthpieces cost "$195.00" and if you contact Mr. Grabner, he can give you numerous details about this mouthpiece as well as others.
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Author: Scotti
Date: 2006-01-04 21:37
I'm confused by what seems to be a glowing endorsement without even playing the mouthpiece.
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Author: inspiring musician
Date: 2006-01-04 21:51
I'm sorry for the 3 postings of the same topic, I was tring to add an attachment to the website and cliked post three times because it wouldn't load to the previous page. Sorry about that!
Don't misunderstand me about his mouthpiece. I'm not trying to really endorse the product, it's just that I'm so exited about getting a new mouthpiece, that I just couldn't wait to share with you all. This will be my first mouthpiece produced on a zinner blank that is made with artistry and top quality materials. I'm only a sophomore at the age of 16, so this is really exiting for me. DON'T TAKE MY HAPPINESS AND CURIOUSITY AS A SIGN OF ENDORSEMENT!!!, I'M ONLY EXCITED!
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Author: Scotti
Date: 2006-01-04 22:11
Absolutely understood, then.
For what it's worth, I'm excited for you. I'm sure you'll be very pleased, and you're about to embark on an incredibly fun, exciting, joyous, and frustrating journey as you compare quality mouthpieces. But for now, enjoy what you find!
Great to see such enthusiasm!
Scott
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Author: Stewie Griffin
Date: 2006-01-04 22:37
Hmm...something I dont understand.
Clark Fobes sells his Cicero Kaspar version for a higher price than his Chicago Kaspar version.
Greg Smith sells them at equal prices.
and now Walter Grabner is selling a Chicago for more than his other designs.
Why is that?
In addition to that, I thought Larry Combs said that one would eventually sound the same no matter what the equipment.
I'm excited too.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2006-01-04 22:50
Stewie Griffin wrote:
> Clark Fobes sells his Cicero Kaspar version for a higher price
> than his Chicago Kaspar version.
> Greg Smith sells them at equal prices.
> and now Walter Grabner is selling a Chicago for more than his
> other designs.
In this world where some custom mouthpiece makers are now charging in the $500 - $650 price range for their products, it would be a big mistake to make any inferences regarding price vs quality.
Is a $500 mouthpiece better than a $200 one?
Is a $165 mouthpiece 3x as inferior as a $500 one?
Different players have different needs.
Some, unfortunately are swayed by the hype regarding the new mega pricing structure...GBK
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2006-01-04 22:50
Extra cost may indicate higher research time, and longer "build" time.
It's more than putting a name on the blank, one would hope...
(FYI - I have a Grabner finished piece that ROCKS with Legere #3 QC)
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Author: GBK
Date: 2006-01-04 22:58
Synonymous Botch wrote:
> Extra cost may indicate higher research time, and longer
> "build" time.
It may, or it may not ...GBK
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2006-01-04 23:08
It's all about marketing, kids --- and marketing is 95% psychology and 5% logic. Don't try to puzzle it out -- just accept on faith, and open up your wallets. There, that feels better, doesn't it? Enjoy your new expensive toys.
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Author: Ed
Date: 2006-01-04 23:20
FYI- I had a discussion with Clark Fobes when he began making the Cicero style. The additional cost was required as there is more hand work involved due to the differences in the tip and baffle from his other models. This model takes additional time and work.
It is great to have so many great craftsmen out there today to choose from and to have the mouthpieces at such a high level. How do you put a price on great craftsmanship and on artistry? How do you put a price on what it costs to give you the ease of playing to reach your best level of performance?
I am sure that Larry Combs will always sound like himself. We are all looking for something to reach another level or perhaps a way to reach our desired results easier.
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Author: Ed
Date: 2006-01-05 00:44
>Is a $500 mouthpiece better than a $200 one?
>Is a $165 mouthpiece 3x as inferior as a $500 one?
>Different players have different needs.
>Some, unfortunately are swayed by the hype regarding the new mega pricing structure...GBK
I think that one of the issues will always be the idea that cost=quality. The question often arises "what is the best mouthpiece/ligature/clarinet/reed/etc?" The answer of course is, whatever works best FOR YOU. Not what works best for someone else. It is not about what costs the most, or what the name is on it, or who else is playing it.
To answer the question, Is the $500 mouthpiece better? It is, IF it is better for you and if it gives you something that you cannot find with the other. As GBK mentions, different players have different needs, that is key to remember.
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2006-01-05 05:02
One piece of advice I will give you about trying Walter's mouthpieces. If the ones he sends you come with a thin tape "patch," don't rely on it to protect the beak from teethmarks. Unless you play double lip or are certain you are going to keep the mouthpieces before you try them, put an extra mouthpiece patch over the one he's provided. It took me less than 20 minutes of playing to go through his patch on a new Eb mouthpiece and I didn't even feel it. (Fortunately for me, the mouthpiece was a keeper.) It is also a good idea to put a patch or piece of (shiny) electrical tape on the back of the mouthpieces to avoid ligature scratches.
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2006-01-05 14:27
If you wonder why Walter Grabner charges certain prices, why not just send him an email and ask him? He's a very nice guy and will answer you back and not take offense at your question. I didn't know about the Chicago version, but I have the new CXZ_14 and it plays very nicely.
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Author: terry
Date: 2006-01-05 15:22
I understand the issue with pricing of "hand made" mouthpieces. for me, i went through all the "quality" mass produced mouthpieces, including Pomarico, and wound up with the $200. Chadash. http://sterkel.org/clarinet for more details.
Is the Chadash 3x better than say a $75 dollar name brand? for me, yes! I was able to concentrate more on the artistry and less on all that is involved not squeaking, flubbing, and all that other stuff....Brenda Siewert wrote:
> If you wonder why Walter Grabner charges certain prices, why
> not just send him an email and ask him? He's a very nice guy
> and will answer you back and not take offense at your question.
> I didn't know about the Chicago version, but I have the new
> CXZ_14 and it plays very nicely.
>
1929 matched A and Bb Herman Todt Clarinets, Chadash Mouthpiece, Fogietta reeds, http://sterkel.org/clarinet
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Author: Gregory Smith ★2017
Date: 2006-01-06 02:49
Quote:
"Gregory Smith sells them [Chicago and Cicero] at equal prices."
=====================================
If it is of any help understanding my own pricing schedule, I have set the two styles at equivalent prices upon taking into consideration several different factors such as demand, time involved, etc.
Gregory Smith
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Author: GBK
Date: 2006-01-06 02:59
inspiring musician wrote:
> so now Mr. Combs plays on the CXZ_Chicago
> (Kasper Chicago)mouthpiece in the CSO and seems to me
> that obviously he enjoys it.
Not correct.
I have it on VERY RELIABLE information that:
"he plays the same mouthpiece he has for several years now"
It is a R. Hawkins on a Zinner blank.
[ It is now time to give this thread a rest and for all to determine the accurate information from the guesses, advertising copy and personal opinion - GBK ]
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