 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Hiroshi
Date: 2006-04-19 09:03
Surfing internet, I found an English custom mouthpiece manufacturer.
http://www.pillingermouthpieces.co.uk/index.html
I read this URL and found these with interest:
1.He acquired his PhD by design/manufacture of mouthpieces. It is very interesting to know this kind of Doctoral course exists.
2.He makes his own blank material and does not import from other blank makers. I think this is a reasonable approach if it is possible.
3.He makes mouthpieces by his own design although he makes a mouthpiece called 'Grenser' based on an old English vintage mouthpiece. Recently I thought that there are many Kasper or Chedeville(strangely no Viennese or German vintage) copies. Why not originate their own improved design?
BTW. His description about choosing mouthpieces is very clearly stated.
Is there anybody who tried one of his mouthpieces?
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Author: Tom Piercy
Date: 2006-04-19 12:11
I have tried and have used on my large bore Rossi clarinets several of his different styles:
- large A-frame type based on 1010 model mouthpiece from the 1930's;
- regular frame type based on more modern 1010 mouthpiece.
Both are very well made, sound beautiful and respond well.
He is a pleasure to work with in finding the right type of mouthpiece for you.
Tom Piercy
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Author: graham
Date: 2006-04-19 14:14
Yes. Bass clarinet mouthpiece (the one modelled on the '30s Howarth design). B flat mouthpieces (several, of which the most interesting is one modelled after a mouthpiece Charles Draper is alleged to have used). An alto mouthpiece for my basset horn, with a close 1.3mm facing. He also re laid my Hawkes & Sons B flat mouthpiece, which is currently what I do almost all my playing on.
My guess is that his PHD was not a course as such because it involved primary reearch and was therefore a peer reviewed extended research project. Ed believes that actual materials do affect the sound made by mouthpieces. This seems to be a contentious point.
He is a good player, with particular sympathy (playing wise) for close facing mouthpieces, which of course is not the prevailing trend in the UK, and this makes him a little unusual.
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2006-04-19 15:13
It sounds like Dr. Pillinger has walked some of the same ground as Brad Behn.
Graham's description of a doctor's degree program is accurate. They normally start when the candidate has completed extensive preparatory course work, passed oral and/or written examinations by his/er faculty committee and been "advanced to candidacy."
Often, the candidate makes a presentation of his proposed course of study at his oral examination; and is challenged by the committee to explain his preparation to do the work. Later, the finished dissertation will be reviewed in written and/or in-person form. The degree is awarded when the dissertation has been successfully defended. During the candidate's research, the faculty will provide support and guidance.
The result is that the doctor's degreed graduate has been "certified" by the university to have proven his/er abililty to do indepenent research, and will NOT be an embarrassment to his school.
Bob Phillips
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Author: Paul Globus
Date: 2006-04-19 18:36
Ed Pillinger is a very knowledgeable mouthpiece maker and a real gentleman. I have written an article about him that will appear in an upcoming issue of The Clarinet. I have also tried his mouthpieces and find them to be excellent in every way. He makes a large range -- something for everyone.
Paul Globus
Montreal, Quebec
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Author: LCL
Date: 2006-04-19 23:20
I second what Mr. Globus said above! I have one of Ed's Eb Contra-alto mpcs., and it is superb. He was wonderful to work with and even invited me to dine with he and his wife, when I'm in England. He actually held the mpc. to be sure I was OK after Katrina. He and his wife, Suzanne, were very concerned about us, but our whole family was unharmed.
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Author: Hiroshi
Date: 2006-04-20 06:55
The discussion on mouthpieces on this board has been rather centered on American ones. Since I thought if I acquire a large bore English style clarinet it may be difficult to find a mouthpiece in tune with it, I think I have found where to consult with in future.
Thank you for various worthy information.
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Author: joannew
Date: 2006-04-20 08:37
Ed Pillinger has made a mouthpiece for my 6 key boxwood clarinets. In fact I went to him asking for two mouthpieces, and he wisely suggested that he make one to fit the C and a removeable insert for the Bb barrel (which had been bored out by a previous owner to take a modern mp) so that I could use the same mp for both instruments (and save £100). The mouthpiece is based on a Lefevre mp of a similar age, and I'm very happy with it.
Ed was extremely helpful and knowledgeable, and I was able to pick up the mp the next day. He even custom-tinted the starting material for me so the mp matches the ivory rings of the instruments - a nice bonus!
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Author: chedmanus
Date: 2006-04-21 12:04
I agree that Ed is a great craftsman.
I have been to visit Ed many times, his shop is situated in his house in North London.
Ed is one of the few mouthpiece makers in the world that makes everything from scratch. He mixes the rubber, molds it, mills it, faces it, finishes it, etc, all by himself.
He produces one of the most varied range of mouthpiece designs I have ever seen or heard of. Simply tell him the type of facing or sound you are after and he can come up with something to suite you.
To add to it, Ed and his wife Susanne are some of the nicest people Ive encountered; they are polite, easy to work with, professional, and will listen to what you want - something I have rarely encountered in a mouthpiece maker.
The only problem with Eds mouthpieces is that he has SO many mouthpiece designs going that its hard to choose sometimes. I sometimes wish he would just stick to a few really good facings and settle, but that is the mark of a great craftsman I suppose, always looking for newer, better designs.
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