 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: ruben
Date: 2026-03-28 23:49
I remember when many great players played on crystal mouthpieces: Gino Cioffi, Guy Dangain,... The makers of these were O'Brien, Pomarico (which still exists), GG. For some reason, most top players stopped playing them. Why?
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
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Author: Jarmo Hyvakko
Date: 2026-03-29 02:25
I have played with them. At best you get a soft, beautiful, round sound out of them.
The problem with them is that they seem to be very difficult to make to exact measurements.
The facing is not a problem. A skilled mouthpiece maker can easily adjust it. But everything inside, tone chamber, baffle, the bore after that are often quite all over the place, because, i suppose, after they blow the body of the mouthpiece to a mold, when it cools down, the measurements change.
This causes all sorts of problem starting from intonation. Plus, glass as mouthpiece material is not very resonant. Ok, sound is soft, but the MP is quite exhausting to play. And the MP is heavy and changes the balance of the instrument in your hands.
Also the body of the MP is often bigger compared to normal one, which may cause strain to your embouchure.
Jarmo Hyvakko, Principal Clarinet, Tampere Philharmonic, Finland
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Author: Fuzzy
Date: 2026-03-29 03:05
That's an interesting question, ruben!
My first exposure to a glass mouthpiece was when I was in junior high. An adult in the community band played one and was a very good player.
After that, I forgot all about glass mouthpieces. Over the years, I determined that (for me) the material of mouthpiece and instrument made no meaningful difference. However, I eventually wanted to try a Pete Fountain crystal mouthpiece (not because the material), liked it, bought extras, and have loved them ever since. I've been playing on crystal for 20 years now and haven't found any of the detractor warnings/concerns to appear for me. Maybe it was LeBlanc's quality control at the time? I don't know.
I've never had one break or be broken either.
I love my crystals...but not because they're crystal; I just love that particular mouthpiece design. Thinking about it - I do like how crystal looks too - but that wouldn't sway me to use them.
Warmest Regards,
Fuzzy
[Edit: After reading Chris' post below, I think I should clarify that when I said "LeBlanc's quality control" - it is actually Pomarico's quality control, as Pomarico was the maker of the Pete Fountain mouthpiece that was later marketed as "Leblanc."]
Post Edited (2026-03-29 03:30)
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2026-03-29 03:06
I still use crystals on Eb, C, Bb, A and bass. I've got Pomarico crystals for Eb and bass and Vandoren A1 crystals (which are Pomarico) for C/Bb/A and also an A2 for bass.
I bought a Pomarico crystal alto mouthpiece, but it plays around a quarter tone sharp on basset horn, even with the longest crook pulled out far enough so it's almost falling out.
I've got a green glass (as opposed to crystal) O'Brien/Selmer HS**, but not too keen on it.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
Independent Woodwind Repairer
Single and Double Reed Specialist
Oboes, Clarinets and Saxes
NOT A MEMBER OF N.A.M.I.R.
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2026-03-29 09:56
The most known clarinetist who uses crystal (and arguably the most known clarinetist regardless) is Giora Feidman, who still uses them. Or at least he always has, I'm not sure if he still plays.
Locally there are a bunch of players who play crystal mouthpieces because of him.
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Author: donald
Date: 2026-03-29 15:08
Jon Manasse used one for a while in the 90's, Corrado played one last time I looked (a Backun 'piece of course). Look up the Weber recordings of Serge Dangain (not to be confused with Guy) for some amazing playing in the 80's using a crystal mouthpiece (his version of 2nd Concerto 3rd mvt is really stunning, overall that Weber CD has some poor intonation but quite musical playing).
As far as I know Guy Dangain and Guy Deplus (both a bit more famous than Serge) both played hard rubber mouthpieces, I could be wrong about GD but pretty sure about GD...)
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Author: ruben
Date: 2026-03-29 17:27
stupid(?) question: Is there a difference between glass and crystal?
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
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Author: Mojo
Date: 2026-03-29 18:21
Difference is marketing.
MojoMP.com
Mojo Mouthpiece Work LLC
MojoMouthpieceWork@yahoo.com
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Author: super20dan
Date: 2026-03-30 02:42
was a diehard user till my obrien 4* that i played for 20 years got broken by a tech right before the most important gig of my career . this was well before the internet and i scrambled to find a replacement before opening Nite. i gave up crystal after this .
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