The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: alanporter
Date: 2009-01-12 19:44
I have acquired an old C clarinet that is about a hundred years old. It came with a plastic Woodwind Co mouthpiece, no doubt a retro-fit. The mouthpiece is labled MPERIAL ( definitely no I in front) and the size 1M.
It's length is 62 mm (not including the tenon). The window is 30 mm and the bore 14 mm. I have been trying to use cut-down Bb reeds on it, but the sound is poor. Can anyone recommend a better type of reed I could get for it. Many thanks.
tiaroa@shaw.ca
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2009-01-12 20:59
I think Ben Redwine makes a C clarinet mouthpiece for the Forte C clarinet, so maybe try him or Omar Henderson (DoctorsProducts/Forte)...both are listed on the "retail" section of this .org.
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
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Author: Chris Hill
Date: 2009-01-12 21:09
Generally, one can use a Bb mouthpiece on a C clarinet. Ben would be a good source for those, as well.
Chris
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Author: alanporter
Date: 2009-01-12 22:56
Allan and Chris. Thank you for your responses but, it is suitable reeds that I need, not mouthpieces. The inside diameter of the barrel socket is only 19 mm, far smaller than any Bb mouthpiece. The existing mouthpiece will almost fall straight through my Bb horn.
Alan
tiaroa@shaw.ca
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2009-01-12 23:00
Dont Bb reeds fit?
If they fit but do not play correctly, perhaps the facing has warped.
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
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Author: Vytas
Date: 2009-01-13 00:37
"62 mm (not including the tenon)" Judging by the length - it's an Eb clarinet mouthpiece. What's it doing on the C clarinet? Does the mouthpiece bore size match the clarinet bore?
You can try a Eb reeds, but the cut-down Bb reeds shouldn't be a problem either. My guess is:
1. you have wrong mouthpiece for this clarinet.
2. the facing on this mouthpiece is poor.
Vytas Krass
Custom clarinet mouthpiece maker
Professional clarinet technician
Former professional clarinet player
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2009-01-13 00:51
Another clue in this mystery is that the mouthpiece is plastic.
100 year old clarinets came with hard rubber or grenadilla mouthpieces, so this is probably a juryrigged replacement mouthpiece.
Is the clarinet a boehm system? Most of the very old C-clarinets that I've seen from that era have been Albert or simple system.
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
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Author: alanporter
Date: 2009-01-13 01:47
The mouthpiece is definitely a replacement. The bore of the clarinet is 13 mm, not quite the 14 mm of the mouthpiece. It is very much a simple system horn, 11 keys and no rings. Will pick up some Eb reeds to try.
Alan
tiaroa@shaw.ca
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