 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Aussie Nick
Date: 2001-06-19 11:26
This question is a little difficult to ask because 'm not sure whay's going on myself. I've been using a Pomarico Ebony wood mouthpiece for some time now. It used to do wonders for me, I was always raving about it. For the past couple of months its really been irritating me. Reeds dont seem to be working very well on it, and it seems to be kind of changing shape and drying out. I have a friend who used to have a Bay mp, but it was accidentally broken so he took my advice and got himself a Pomarico wooden, and he loved it. Its just a coincidence that lately we have both been complaining to each other how much we hate it and want to find something else. I was unsure if it was just a problem him and I were having, and then just a few days ago a older student friend of mine arrived home from a trip she won to some music school in London. She asked me how my mouthpiece was going because while she was there, one of the students from Italy asked her to play duets with him. She noticed he had a Pomarico Ebony wood -1 mouthpiece the same as mine. He then started complaining about it and telling her how he wants to get rid of it because it changes and is inconsistant. She told him that her friend back home (me) was having the same trouble, and he felt alot better knowing it wasn't only him having the problem. I'm sorry to ramble on so much, but these stories need to be told. I was wondering if anyone knows why this happens. I was thinking maybe the wood wears away or something? It's so frustrating because I have no motivation to practice when my sound from my setup is annoying me so much. Reeds are just not working as well as they used to. Notes which used to sound good, now sound horrible.
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Author: Riccardo Clerici
Date: 2001-06-19 13:22
Dear Nick, the things you said sound so strange to us...may I ask you where do you live? Probably all this changes depends from the weather of your country!
Mr. Meloni, 1st clarinet at Teatro alla Scala in Milan, plays with an our Bb ebony wood clarinet mouthpiece. He never get any problem: every 2-3 months he come here in our factory for a check up of the piece. We never found anything! And, as you know, he travel all around the world...
Try to dry the mpc ALWAYS after you played it and, 2 times every month, wet it with some almond oil! All this things should help you to get any problems.
Try to do that and then let me know.
Kind regards
Riccardo Clerici
Pomarico s.n.c.
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2001-06-19 13:57
Almond oil. That is an excellent suggestion. Wood does breathe and settle and things like that--but shouldn't be giving the problems you mention, Nick. But, why not have a hard rubber mouthpiece as a back up when you're having problems with the wood? That's what I do. It works great. We live in Texas and the heat is tremendous here (over 110 degrees Farenheit) in the summer. It's also very dry. Then, in the winter it's very cold. So, some changes do happen with wood instruments and mouthpieces.
Some mouthpiece makers will tell you that wood mouthpieces do eventually "wear out." Even tuning barrels get old and have to be replaced. Maybe you need to replace your old wood one with a new one. You will love it as much as you did.
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Author: Aussie Nick
Date: 2001-06-20 00:08
I oil it occassionally, but I'm not the only one having the problems. I am trying to get a hard rubber one to either replace it or be a backup, just waiting for a shipment of Bay and Viotto mouthpieces to arrive here. Seems to be taking forever. I went back to the shop where I bought the wooden mouthpiece,and I tried some others identicle to mine to see if the newer ones are any better. I actually found them worse than mine, and the tip opening was very uneven on some of them. I could actually see tha one side of the chamber (or whatever its called) was bigger or cut differntly to the other side. I won;'t be going back to Pomarico. By the way, Riccardo, I am from Australia. I'm sure there are some very nice ones like mine used to be, just as with any mouthpiece you have to search around to find a good one for you.
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Author: Gregory Smith
Date: 2001-06-20 02:59
Hardwood should either be oiled consistently or not at all. The "burr" of the hardwood will raise with the application of oil. If you start and stop the oil, the burr of the hardwood will raise and lower effecting the feel and response of the mouthpiece (but not necessarily the measurements).
In regards to hardwood mouthpieces, the best indicator as to it's future stability - especially in the facing - is not only the inherent quality of the hardwood itself but how long the hardwood has been aged before manufacture. Anything under 20 years will probably cause problems by way of change in the feel and response of the mouthpiece.
Gregory Smith
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Author: Marcia Nottle
Date: 2001-06-20 03:58
Pardon my ignorance Greg, but what do you mean by the "burr" of the hardwood? And what types of wood do you use? I have only been aware of your mouthpieces for a short time but I have heard good things about them. Have not yet had the pleasure myself.
Marcia
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Author: Gregory Smith
Date: 2001-06-20 05:34
The burr refers to the behaivour of the grain of the hardwood as it is effected by oil. The grain will raise minutely, almost microscopically when oil is applied. Of course this change is much more consequential when applied to a surface on which a thin piece of cane is vibrating. It effects the texture of the surface, not the measurement of the facing.
That is why it is desireable for the sake of consistency to oil hardwood every few days or alternatively, not at all. (Incidentally I do not apply any oil to my own hardwood mouthpiece that I play nor do I oil my clarinets).
If you'd like to e mail me I would be glad to describe to you the different types of hardwoods that are now available.
G. Smith
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2001-06-20 15:26
I have to tag in here and affirm Greg Smith's wooden mouthpieces. I bought a couple recently (Cocobolo and Grenadilla), and am so happy with his products. I use my Kaspar Cicero 13 now as a BACKUP mouthpiece. The wood has such a creamy sound. Greg's stuff is really first-class and he is a careful maker. I'm very, very happy with my new mouthpieces.
Thanks Greg for letting us know how long the wood needs to "cure" before becoming a mouthpiece. It's nice to know I own a mouthpiece that didn't get that step "skipped." And, thanks for the instructions on care.
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Author: Todd W.
Date: 2001-06-20 19:03
Greg Smith--
Wouldn't moisture (saliva and water vapor) have the same burr-raising effect?
Todd W.
P.S. Are you (and your mouthpieces) going to be at ClarinetFest?
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Author: Gregory Smith
Date: 2001-06-21 00:47
Yes, moisture raises the burr - but consistently because it is always present when being played. The point I was attempting to make was that one has to be consistent if oiling - just like one is consistent when exposing the hardwood to moisture.
G Smith
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Author: Gregory Smith
Date: 2001-06-21 02:02
Yes, I will perform at the festival and will also be showing my mouthpieces.
G Smith
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