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Pruefer mouthpiece

Author: LeePal
Date: 2007-09-15 00:25

We came across a very interesting discovery tonight. Our wooden Pruefer b flat clarinet that we've been working on for the past week repadding and recorking and cleaning up doesn't fit my daughters Vandoren B45 mouthpiece.

This is very interesting - I didn't realize that mouthpieces had different sizes. There was a Pruefer mouthpiece in one of our other clarinet cases that does fit the clarinet. Even the mouthpiece that came with the clarinet doesn't fit the clarinet.

Did anyone ever come across this situation before? What would the quality of this Pruefer mouthpiece be in comparison to the B45? Or what other mp would be a good one to try.

Thank you for your input.

LeePal

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Re: Pruefer mouthpiece

Author: pelo_ensortijado
Date: 2007-09-15 19:36

did you mean that the cork is to small/big or is it the mpc itself that is to big?

if it is just the cork = change it to a bigger one that does fit.(or sandpaper of some to get it smaller if thats the problem!)
its normal when switching between clarinets. they all are a bit different and the cork has adjusted to the size of the hole it was in before :o)

if it is the tenon that is to big, let a pro make it smaller!
dont use the pruefer mpc if you dont like it!
the b45 is a good one. keep that instead until the player are grown enough to choose how she prefer to sound and what qualitys she want.
if she like it and want to use it now. let someone who plays(her teacher?) try it. it can be bad for her developement if there is something wrong with it!!!

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Re: Pruefer mouthpiece

Author: Don Berger
Date: 2007-09-15 20:50

Hi LP, I agree [somewhat] with pelo, there is "some" standardization of mp, barrel and U J tenon/socket sizing, but we often find some fitting-sealing problems as you have, partic. with those quite old and new pieces together. Does your barrel have Pruefer on it?, many of us cl'ists change barrels, just not as often as we change mps. Some of the older mps were quite good, look yours over and if undamaged, its worth a trial by a knowldgable player. As to the B45, while it is " popular" here in US, [band directors etc], many of our pro/semi-pro's much prefer others of Vandoren's models, or other makes to it. I refaced [slightly] a poor-playing B45, and improved it somewhat. Some of our fine repairers, please help. Don

Thanx, Mark, Don

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Re: Pruefer mouthpiece

Author: LeePal
Date: 2007-09-15 21:50

Thanks for the replies. The barrel is a genuine Pruefer Super Artist model. It's not the cork, it is the mouth piece base material. I mic'd the tenon O.D on the Pruefer mp and it measures .856 inches (21.74 mm) compared to the B45 and other fitting mp's averaging .871 inches (22.12 mm).

Sounds like I have 3 options.
1. Turn down a current production B45 mp.
2. Bore out the original Pruefer barrel. Not too keen on this one.
3. Buy a new barrel.

Sounds like a new barrel is the easiest fix.
I know barrel length will affect tone. Anything else to watch out for and do you have any barrel "Brand" favorites?

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