The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: DezzaG
Date: 2003-04-04 12:47
Have stumbled on an original Leladais mouthpiece. Just from my simple tests I think it needs a reface(plays not too well, and using glass moisture test it is VERY uneven).
I use a Grabner piece and its great but who else (as well as Walter) would be worth a try at trying to salvage this beauty?
Thanks
DezzaG
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Author: John J. Moses
Date: 2003-04-04 13:18
Just a short story:
I loaned my Kasper (why?) to a good friend years ago. He had it for 6 months or so, and returned it, sadly, with a significant chip in the tip. The mouthpiece was great, but no longer played with the tip damaged.
I took it to Jimmy Yan, a great repairman in NYC, who had been working with Matson on fixing and refacing mouthpieces. Jimmy immediately said he could fix it, and put back the original facing. I was skeptical. A week later I went to his shop and, to my amazement, the chip was gone, the mouthpiece was refaced, and it played great...just as sharp as before!
Jimmy has old mouthpieces that he somehow melts(?) down, and then uses the old material to fill-in the chips or damages to other old mouthpieces.
He's great! Do not let just anyone repair or reface you old "find," it's too valuable to be ruined by an amateur.
Good luck,
JJM
Légère Artist
Clark W. Fobes Artist
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2003-04-04 14:10
Dezza -
Your Lelandais may or may not be made on a Chedeville blank, but regardless, this is a well known maker, and a rescue is worth trying.
If the mouthpiece has "QUALITE SUPERIEURE" imprinted running up body to the right of the table, then it's a top-quality Chedeville blank.
However, if there are abrasion marks on the baffle or inside the bore, then it's been worked on, and, more often than not, spoiled.
A basic refacing -- truing up the rails and tip -- is not expensive. I don't know Jimmy Yan's mouthiece work, but he's a fine repairman, and I trust any recommendation John Moses makes. Also, two of this site's sponsors, David Hite and Clark Graebner, have a good reputation for resuscitating old mouthpieces.
Good luck.
Ken Shaw
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2003-04-04 16:26
David Hite is a particulafrly fine gentleman and certainly would know what this particular facing is.... I would not hesitate in recommending him to you for this very refined work...he is an expert on the history of Chedeville facings and the Lelandais are supposed to be quite nice. Well worth a bit of money having such a fine working mouthpiece to play on with a little fix up!
David Dow
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Author: DezzaG
Date: 2003-04-05 00:18
Yes this one does have the qualite superieure on the rh side. No work has been done to it, looks all very original.
Dezza(P.S. got it for $25 AUS, about $15US)
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Author: John J. Moses
Date: 2003-04-05 01:53
Thanks Ken.
David Hite is an old friend, and a mouthpiece expert.
If he'll take the time and interest in your old "find," he'd be the best way to go. But try Jimmy, if it's a no go with Hite.
By all means be careful with a possible old gem.
Good luck,
JJM
Légère Artist
Clark W. Fobes Artist
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Author: DezzaG
Date: 2003-04-05 07:33
Does Jimmy have email? I am wondering as I am from Oz and it is always easiest to email.
Thanks for your help!!
Dezza
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Author: DezzaG
Date: 2003-04-05 11:55
Dont worry about Jimmy, David replied to me very quickly and I am sending it off to him as soon as the Post Office opens on Monday. He was so quick replying!!! A really great person
P.S. what are his mouthpieces like?
Dezza
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Author: John J. Moses
Date: 2003-04-06 02:47
"A really great person
P.S. what are his mouthpieces like?"
Hi Dezza:
As I've said in earlier BB postings, HITE mouthpieces are great!
I've been using them professionally for over 20 years. With dozens of Broadway shows recorded on them, in addition to over 150 film scores, and countless concerts, I can only rave about David and Jean Hite's work with their professional mouthpieces.
He's a dear friend, and finding just the right facing for me, he named one of his mouthpieces the "JJM."
Try one, you wont regret it.
JJM
Légère Artist
Clark W. Fobes Artist
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