 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: David89
Date: 2009-02-08 23:57
I've recently played on my teachers Kasper Cicero, and it was probably the best mouthpiece i've ever played on. I want to know if anyone would know where I could purchase one.
I know they run up in the $700+ dollars, but I have not been able to find one.
p.s.
Im not sure if its a tendency on kaspers', but do they usually play on the high side. Though, the one i played on was not to far off, and the tone and projection was just amazing!!!!
ps.s
I appologize if its been discussed before.
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Author: kdk
Date: 2009-02-09 00:32
There are several modern (currently active) mouthpiece makers (check the advertisers here at Woodwind.org) who produce "Kasper style" mouthpieces. Whether or not these are exactly like the old Cicero Kaspers is arguable, especially since there are probably very few of the originals around that haven't been damaged, refaced or altered in other ways. Also the collective memory of the those mouthpieces'characteristics when they were easily available has largely faded, so it's hard really to compare the old Kaspers to the new (mostly Zinner-based) ones that are modeled on them. But many of the modern ones are excellent mouthpieces in their own right. To find a genuine Cicero Kasper at a price that's even close to being reasonable will be a matter of luck and your ability to outbid the competition. Even then, you *may* have a good mouthpiece (or not). You can almost certainly find yourself a modern mouthpiece that you will like every bit as much as your teacher's Kasper, and if you will have the ability to buy on trial and return whatever you don't like.
Karl
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2009-02-09 02:21
There are no two mouthpieces alike and that goes double for Kaspers. So many of them have been refaced and refaced over the years it will be difficult to find one that plays like your teachers. Good luck, ESP
www.peabody.jhu.edu/457
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Author: zrg86
Date: 2009-02-09 03:32
Ebay is where most of them are being sold right now. I've gotten some good ones in the past, Kaspars and Chedevilles alike.
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2009-02-09 15:17
The thing about the Kaspars on eBay (and I've bought several) is the variance of quality. Be sure you buy from someone who will allow a play-test time period of a few days so you can play and have someone listen objectively to your playing during that time (a teacher). A good one will be expensive. The 700.00 price range may be what the auction ends up on if you're getting a mouthpiece in original condition. Be sure to find out if it has been refaced or not. If it has been refaced, find out who did it. One that has been refaced is not as valuable as one that is in original condition.
The Cicero 13 is a really good standard Kaspar.
I also recommend some of the mouthpiece makers here on the board like Greg Smith and Walter Grabner. I've played both their mouthpieces with good success. I've also worked with Brad Behn (also a sponsor of this board) and his workmanship is superb. All three of these gentlemen are really nice to work with. Tell them your set-up and they'll work with you on a great custom mouthpiece that will be every bit as satisfying as a Kaspar.
I gave up on finding good Kaspars and decided to go with the new models because of so many problems with getting a good vintage. If you ever find one keep it because you may never find another one. I learned that the hard way.
At this time I'm playing a Backun Orkestra model and really, really like it. It has the projection and volume you want from the Kaspar. It runs $500.00 and you can get it directly from Morrie Backun himself on his website.
Post Edited (2009-02-09 15:24)
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Author: William
Date: 2009-02-09 16:16
FWIW, the clarinet professor at our local university told me (2 yrs ago) that she has a "drawer full" of Kaspars and the are all "junk". Before then, another state university teacher was selling all of his old Kaspars because he "didn't like them." Also remember, not all Strad violin were "winners". Bottom line--as usual--TRY BEFORE YOU BUY.
And I whole-heartly agree with Brenda regarding the excellance of Gregroy Smith's Kaspar model mouthpieces. He sent me 5 Cicero's and it was difficult to select the "best" one--but I think I did.
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Author: NBeaty
Date: 2009-02-09 17:06
I second most everything that has been said. I've been told by everyone who's in the mouthpiece craftsmen and professional players that most Kaspars are junk. Greg Smith said "There may be 50 Kaspars left that are orchestra ready". There is a lot of truth to that.
That being said, I have played 2 Kaspars (not my own) that I would have paid in the 4 figures for if they were for sale. The fact is that most good kaspars are not for sale.
If you get lucky enough to get a good one, from any source, never part with it. Seller's remorse would be an understatement.
Most things that I don't like about some kaspars are:
1) high amount of resistance requiring too soft of a reed
2) brightness to the sound accompanied by SHARP pitch
3) flat or dull sound accompanied by flat throat tones (ann arbor especially)
4) Having been refaced\reworked too many times, possibly causing some of factors 1-3
Anyone else have this experience with the sub-par kaspars?
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2009-02-09 17:34
I've been sent a few Kaspars for refacing, because they were lousy players. I can't say for sure whether they were original or had been previously refaced by someone else.
Woodwind mouthpieces (not just those for clarinet) go through "fad" periods. Right now in the saxophone world, ridiculously large sums of money are being paid for such once-mundane mouthpieces as brass Otto Link and white plastic Brilhart mouthpieces. Back "in the day" these were extremely common and a very high percentage of them played like garbage. But now that they're "old", all of sudden there's a mystique about them and people are paying outrageous sums for these things.
Sound familiar? Keep that in mind before you take out a second mortgage on your house to procure a Kaspar. I'm with William and Brenda and Karl -- spend your sheckles instead on a current custom-made mouthpiece by a reputable maker such as Greg Smith, Walt Grabner, Clark Fobes, Roger Garrett, Peter Eaton, etc. (sorry if I missed anybody!).
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Author: Scott S
Date: 2009-02-09 17:59
David,
I'll just throw in my two cents here as well. I had the privilege while doing graduate work in Chicago to go the home of Greg Smith and try several of his mouthpieces with him. Not only was it a great experience obtaining one of his excellent and artistically created mouthpieces - but it was a joy to meet him and receive HIS expertise on how I was sounding with various facings and models.
I have never been happier with a mouthpiece than this Greg Smith for soprano clarinet. I bought the Chedeville series and have never looked back. The intonation, dynamic expression, articulation subtleties - are all the best I've ever experienced.
One day for fun I might try one of his Kaspar models just for the experience. To go with that, I also purchased a Chadash barrel from him to match the mouthpiece.
He is a first-rate artist. I am certain that the others mentioned on this thread are also very fine. Good luck in your search! But I second (or third or fourth) this: you don't need to own a Kaspar to be at your best playing!
Good luck!
Scott S
Minnesota
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Author: classicalguss
Date: 2009-02-09 18:51
I have to agree with those who give the advice to buy from one of the great mouthpiece makers of today. I own 2 Kaspars, one a Cicero and and Ann Arbor. I love them both. HOWEVER, they were both refaced by my friend, Everett Matson, so I always tell people that I play a Matson, despite having two "Kaspars". Matt worked on them for me and made them play the way I wanted, something that all the above fine craftsmen do today.
I do agree that the Cicero is a little sharp, compared to all others on my collection. I don't know why this is, but a friend I play with plays a Fobes "Kaspar" and it, too plays a little high. This is not a deal-breaker, but should be taken into account when choosing.
My favorite? The Ann Arbor. I don't care that the Cicero is more "prestigious", the Ann Arbor has more color, for me.
Your mileage, of course, may vary.
Best Wishes,
Roy Gussman
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Author: William
Date: 2009-02-09 23:27
Some years ago, my second chair Muni Band partner brought in a Cicero Kaspar with Matson's name on the side. Even though I play a vintage Kaspar, neither he nor I could get it to play. So we sold it to a grad student out west, UCLA I seem to remember. Guess what--he LOVED it and as far as I know, he still is playing it. One persons "trash", the next player's "treasure" I guess............
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2009-02-10 05:53
Kasper mouthpieces are worth so much because they were made by a friendly ghost who can't spell their own name 
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Author: David89
Date: 2009-02-10 07:57
clarnibass wrote:
> Kasper mouthpieces are worth so much because they were made by
> a friendly ghost who can't spell their own name
lol.
I realized that I had spelled it wrong after I posted the bulletin ; )
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Author: Ed
Date: 2009-02-10 13:32
Lots of good points. I agree that it would be a great option to find one of the current makers of a Kaspar style mouthpiece. Positive aspects are that you can always get another. Finding a good old vintage piece is a crapshoot. It may be really tough or impossible to find a decent one.
One of the posts above mentioned having a mouthpiece with Matson's name on the side. Matson did great work and often could really improve a mouthpiece to be a real gem. I visited him many times over the years. I am curious that someone had a mouthpiece with his name on it, as he was always adamant that while he did what he could to improve and adjust a mouthpiece he would never put his name on one.
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Author: dgclarinet
Date: 2009-02-10 13:59
Talking about "trash" vs "treasure....I think I bought one of those Kaspars that William was talking about in a prior post that were junk sitting in a professor's drawer. I got it for a great price on Ebay and it looked like it had never even been played. It's the best mouthpiece I've ever played..I only wish I could find another one that was close to it. I've tried my whole life to find a mouthpiece like that, and thankfully, it was "junk" to that college teacher.
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Author: Simon Aldrich
Date: 2009-02-10 14:03
Ed said:
"I am curious that someone had a mouthpiece with his name on it, as he was always adamant that while he did what he could to improve and adjust a mouthpiece he would never put his name on one."
I had a lot of mouthpieces adjusted by Matson when I was a student at Yale in the 90s. He never put his name on any of my mouthpieces he worked on.
However I came into possession of a number of Chedevilles which had been adjusted by Matson and marked with Matson's initials by the owner of the mouthpiece. The mark would be EM 4/89 to indicate Matson refaced the mouthpiece in April of 1989.
-----------------------------------------------------
Simon Aldrich
Clarinet Faculty - McGill University
Principal Clarinet - Orchestre Metropolitain de Montreal
Principal Clarinet - Orchestre de l'Opera de Montreal
Artistic Director - Jeffery Summer Concerts
Clarinet - Nouvel Ensemble Moderne
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Author: William
Date: 2009-02-10 16:25
Ed--The Kaspar that I referred to was clearly marked with the name, Matson--or Madson, I'm not sure. In any case, it played like a "dog" for both of us and we decided to sell it. Maybe it was a counterfiet signiture, I'll never know.........
Both "junk" drawer's that I referred to are in Wisconsin-USA. One teacher sold all of his many years ago, the other wouldn't let me near them and I think she still has all of them. Still, when it comes to any mouthpiece, it is only "treasure" if it works for you. Try before you spend a gazzillion big bucks for the name.
Post Edited (2009-02-10 22:16)
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Author: Iceland clarinet
Date: 2009-02-10 16:37
This reminds me about Kasper,Jesper and Jonathan the robbers in Cardemon Town by the Norwegian playwright Thorbjörn Egner
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2009-02-12 17:37
The M15 Vandoren is a great knock off of the Kaspar. Alot of people are using them with great success.
David Dow
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Author: kdk
Date: 2009-02-12 17:46
David, are you talking about the Series 13 M15 or the traditional version?
Karl
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Author: vin
Date: 2009-02-13 01:32
The M15 is a knock off of a Kasper? I have a bunch of both (no original untouched Kasper's though) and the measurements are not very close. The playing characteristics seem very different too.
Can you give us more information on this, David?
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Author: arundo
Date: 2009-02-13 20:28
David89:
I know where you can get a Kasper 13 that's in good, but not perfect, condition. I believe it could easily be refaced if you desired it.
mark dickman
7738565490
markdickman82@hotmail.com
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Author: morbius
Date: 2009-02-13 22:19
I think your evaluation of Kasper Mpcs. is dependent on your approach to basic skills: embouchure, angle, amount of mouthpiece taken, understanding the relationship of matching reed strength to faceing, ect. For instance, a person playing with a large angle is going to have a lot more difficulty playing on a close facing mouthpiece, therefore, they will evaluate that mouthpiece as "bad". (See Bonades "Clarinetists Compendium", end of first page.) That being said, I love my Kasper. As I studied with Marcellus and always loved the "Marcellus sound", I find I can come darn close to that. It was refaced by Greg Smith, and I'll bet one of his Kasper models would be very close. Oh, and by the way, I have few if any pitch problems.
John Dorch
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