 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Bill
Date: 2008-07-17 16:48
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In the past I had posted photos of all the "1 ligature line up, 3 down" mouthpieces I had, and I really enjoyed the discussion and findings that resulted.
I thought I would do the same with another grouping of mouthpieces I have, all (except one) with the mark "Qualite Superieure" as the common factor. Most of these are the very common "1 lig line up/2 down" model Chedeville. I have included mouthpiece #10 (which is NOT marked "QS") in the comparison because it has the 1 up/2 down lines and is a Ched/Lelandais product.
Subjectively (of course), the best players are #2, #3, #7, #9, and #10.
Disclaimer: (1) I understand that not everybody finds this topic worthy of attention, (2) mouthpieces have little to do with how well you play the clarinet, and (3) I am not claiming that QS mouthpieces are "the best" or some such (they're quite average, in fact). I just find old French mouthpieces interesting.
Legend:
1. One lig line up/1 down. Marked “H. Bettoney, CBCo, Boston, USA,” “Qualite Superieure” very low (close to tenon), with “France” directly below that, the number “6,” and two interlocking Cs. Original facing.
2. One lig line up/1 down. “Qualite Superieure” very low (close to tenon), with “France” directly below that, and the number “5.” Fully refaced. Especially nice mouthpiece.
3. One lig line up/2 down. “Qualite Superieure” between 2 lig lines, the number “6,” and “France” at bottom left of table (in relatively large letters). Relatively wide, A-frame throat opening. Fully refaced and reworked from new, old-stock blank. Superior player.
4. One lig line up/2 down. Marked on back, center, “Ch Chedeville, Paris,” “Qualite Superieure” between lig lines, and the number "7." Fully refaced. Very unremarkable playing characteristics.
5. One lig line up/2 down. “Qualite Superieure” between 2 lig lines, the number “8.” Lightly refaced. Very narrow, parallel throat opening. Extremely penetrating, focused tone with easy altissimo. Unlike any of the other mouthpieces in this group. Reed fussy.
6. One lig line up/2 down. “Qualite Superieure” nearly intersecting with bottom 2 lig lines, the number "10." Lightly refaced.
7. One lig line up/2 down. Marked on back, bottom, “Linton,” “Qualite Superieure” between lig lines, and the number “7.” Lightly refaced. Very narrow, parallel throat opening. Especially nice mouthpiece.
8. One lig line up/2 down. Marked on back, center, “A Lelandais, Paris,” “Qualite Superieure” intersecting with bottom 2 lig lines, the number 6. Very shallow baffle and especially wide throat opening. Fully refaced (and recorked).
9. One lig line up/2 down. Marked on back bottom “D. Bonade,” “France” at bottom left of table (in relatively large letters), and the number “7 ½.” The “Qualite Superieure” marked was buffed away during full refacing. Relatively wide, A-frame throat opening.
10. One lig line up/2 down. Marked on back, center, “A Lelandais, Paris,” the number “S3,” with elaborate, deep scroll engraving around base. This mouthpiece is NOT marked with “Qualite Superieure.” Fully refaced.
Bill Fogle
Ellsworth, Maine
(formerly Washington, DC)
Post Edited (2008-07-17 21:34)
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Author: C2thew
Date: 2008-07-18 16:33
great work bill! i have mouthpieces #7 and #8 which i sent to ramon wodkowski to have them refaced. He does fantastic work with lelandais mouthpieces.
it must have seriously taken a good deal of time to crop the pictures, into one big one, not to mention matching the pictures etc etc.
Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys, which distract our attention from serious things. they are but improved means to an unimproved end, an end which was already but too easy to arrive as railroads lead to Boston to New York
-Walden; Henry Thoreau
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Author: Ryder
Date: 2008-07-18 20:40
Does "Qualite Superieure" denote the name of the company who manufactured the blanks from which these mouthpieces were crafted?
____________________
Ryder Naymik
San Antonio, Texas
"We pracice the way we want to perform, that way when we perform it's just like we practiced"
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Author: Bill
Date: 2008-07-18 22:52
Thanks!
Yes, I went to Wodkowski's site the other day based on a recommendation. I had been there once before.
Of course, the "Qualite Superieure" is a grade indication Chedeville used for (it is believed) later mouthpieces of the 1940s/1950s through the end of their production era.
I personally gained a great interest in this marking years ago when I acquired muthpiece #1 (I actually "found" it in a junk shop).
Glad this was of interest for some!
Bill Fogle
Ellsworth, Maine
(formerly Washington, DC)
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Author: C2thew
Date: 2008-07-19 02:20
QS mouthpieces have a special ring to them that lingers longer due to the resonance of the rubber, allowing more reverberation in the sound, thus creating a fuller and more powerful prescience. they were highly sought after because they were made of rod rubber see "rod rubber" under the search feature in the archives.
in essence, if you have one and it isn't in bad shape, get it refaced and you will have something very special.
Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys, which distract our attention from serious things. they are but improved means to an unimproved end, an end which was already but too easy to arrive as railroads lead to Boston to New York
-Walden; Henry Thoreau
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