 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: GBK
Date: 2005-07-23 18:44
There are many discussions about Clark Fobes' mouthpieces in the archives.
It's always a good idea to read what has been previously written. Here is one thread of many:
http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=169765&t=169732
Clark's mouthpieces are of the highest quality and are used worldwide.
Clark is very approachable and is quite willing to discuss any concerns or questions you may have. Why don't you call him directly, or write to him?
The only way to know if a specific mouthpiece is right for you is to try a few. The experiences of others hold little weight ...GBK
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Author: mnorswor
Date: 2005-07-23 18:47
GBK,
This does not offer an opinion. While I agree with searching the archives, these particular mouthpieces have not had many opinions associated with them. I agree the only way to... is to try them. Of course. But do you have an opinion?
Michael
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Author: GBK
Date: 2005-07-23 19:09
In general, I have found Clark's mouthpieces to be very free blowing, with lots of coloration. The high register, especially has great resonance and a nice "ping". I very much like the style of facings that he applies.
I have only tried the Cicero 14 and it was very similar in sound and feel to my original Kaspar.
As I prefer a slightly larger tip opening than the Cicero 14 (1.08mm) I own a Fobes San Francisco 4L (1.12mm) and use it as a back-up to my Kaspar.
The Cicero mouthpieces 11,12, 13 and 14 have fairly close tip openings (.96mm - 1.08) with shorter facing lengths (16mm), thus you will probably need a fairly firm reed set-up ...GBK
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Author: dizzy
Date: 2005-07-23 19:44
Sorry for interrupting but I wonder if someone in the air has an opinion about the italian Crystal mouthpieces? a friend of mine has just presented one to me and I naturally don't know what to do with it. should I try or leave it alone before the irretrievable thing has happened?
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Author: senior
Date: 2005-07-24 10:58
I have a Pomarico saphire B, crystal mouthpiece. I find that it plays very well. Nice clean notes for the full range of the clarinet. I use it on only special occasions, because it doesn't take much to wipe it out. One knock or chip and it wouldn't even make a good paper weight. Drop it and it is a small pile of glittering dust. So I use a Selmer C85 120, which is very close match to the Pomarico. Then when I want to impress some one or a small audiance, out comes the Crystal.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2005-07-24 14:26
senior wrote:
> I use it on only special occasions, because it
> doesn't take much to wipe it out. One knock or chip and it
> wouldn't even make a good paper weight. I want to
> impress some one or a small audiance, out comes the Crystal.
My advice? Use the crystal mouthpiece and not worry about it.
I've played the same pair of Vandoren crystal mouthpieces, daily, for more than 30 years.
No chips, no breaks, never dropped one.
If you like it - use it.
You can't take it with you when you die ...GBK
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Author: dizzy
Date: 2005-07-24 19:21
Thanks a lot for the encouragement.
Now I can easily bring myself to play this absolutely limpid object,
if such an occasion had a place in history and what's more it made no harm.
but I'd like to specify one point. when I was talking about "some irretrievable thing" I didn't mean that IT could be dropped or smth.
Here I must confess: I worried mainly about myself. in fact I've heard that a Crystal thing is quite easier to be played than non-Crystal. my fears are related with prospective losing of ability to respond adequately to opaque mouthpieces. so in that case can we regard using the crystal mouthpieces as an inadmissible unworthy way to avoid the obstacles that only promote our skill? Or is it just an empty prejudice?
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