 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Gretchen
Date: 2003-07-26 02:13
how much does a kaspar mouthpiece go for? like an older one from I think around the 1950's? I've heard $600 but I'm just trying to find a price range. The one I'm looking at was hand made in Chicago.
Thanks for any info!!
Gretchen
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2003-07-26 14:07
That's the going rate, more or less...
If you want something really special, hook up with a living mouthpiece maker that can make the last adjustments to bring your sound around...
It's the personal attention that makes a mouthpiece fit you best.
I would sooner spend this kind of money with Chris Hill/Clark Fobes/Walter Grabner/Dan Johnston or your friendly neighborhood refacer than spend 6 bills and STILL need to have it retouched.
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Author: John J. Moses
Date: 2003-07-26 14:46
Try contacting David Hite for a fine mouthpiece that he can hand select for
you, then adjust to your own specifications. He's a sponsor of this
site [ Hasn't been for a while. Mark C. ]:
David Hite, Inc.
22437 Fountain Lakes Blvd.
Estero, FL 33928 USA
Email: info@jdhite.com
Tel: 1(941) 947-8803
Fax: 1(941) 947-8807
Mouthpieces, Music
I have played his mouthpieces for over 20 years, and they can be heard on
many feature films, Broadway cast CDs, and many legit CDs with various
orchestras. You can't go wrong with a HITE mouthpiece. Good luck,
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Author: johng ★2017
Date: 2003-07-26 16:14
Does anyone ever get the feeling that it is the SAME Kaspar mouthpiece that is being sold time after time on ebay? Maybe the last one holding it is the loser!
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Author: CPW
Date: 2003-07-26 19:05
There have been a few new ones recently. esp Ann Arbors.
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Author: CPW
Date: 2003-07-28 03:39
...and I agree that there are many fine craftspeople (ooh how PC of me)
today that produce a product that rivals if not equals or surpasses the legends (see recent thread) of old. They just have not had time to assume their place in the....here it comes again...Pantheon of Mouthpiece Greats,
'n at.*
*that last phrase was for the original poster who figured that the use of " 'n at " placed me in a certain town.
Against the windmills of my mind
The jousting pole splinters
Post Edited (2003-07-28 03:41)
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2003-07-28 16:06
johng wrote:
"Does anyone ever get the feeling that it is the SAME Kaspar mouthpiece that is being sold time after time on ebay? Maybe the last one holding it is the loser!"
Lol. Guess that makes Gretchen the one who's currently "on the hook." According to eBay, it looks like she bought the Kaspar she's describing the day before she posted the question. ![[wink]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie3.gif) Hope it's a great player.
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: Gretchen
Date: 2003-07-28 17:30
Actually Jack, you're right!  I'll let you guys know how it plays when I get it
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Author: Vytas
Date: 2003-07-28 22:14
I paid $685.00 for my Kaspar Cicero14 but it's in good original condition never been refaced.
Vytas
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Author: William
Date: 2003-07-29 16:33
I bought two Chicago Kaspars (#14) in the early 60's for $20.00 to help improve the tuning of my Selmer 9*. About 1965, most of the clarinet majors switched to the new Charles Bay mpcs--then in Ithica, NY--because they allowed us more flexability in sound and volume than the rather "stuffy" Kaspars. I played my Bay--on which he copied my Kaspar 14 facing--for many years until I switched to the LeBlanc Concerto models and reverted to my old Chicago Kaspar for its "legendary" sound. Still like to use my Bay, occassionally, when I simply have to put out more volume.
Bottom line, I think the Kaspars are generally over priced and not any better (or even as good) than many of the fine mpcs being marketed today--in particular, the ones by Gregory Smith (of which I own two, but havn't really invested the time necessary to become comfortable playing full time). You just have to play "what works for you"--and that may very well NOT be a Kaspar, Chicago, Cicero or Ann Arbor. I continue to play the mpc (s) that I have learned to play and feel comfortable with. I am just too reluctant to learn "new tricks" and switch mpcs at my old age. (but it is till fun to try the new ones)
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2003-07-29 18:45
Change the tools in your kit if and ONLY if, it makes your work easier.
At some stage, you need to "Dance with the one that brung ya."
It is pretty likely that there have been improvements in the design of clarint mouthpieces since the Kaspars were Kings.
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Author: Gretchen
Date: 2003-07-29 19:04
A friend of mine has a friend who has 2 Kaspars. One plays amazingly and the other is so-so. Are they all that inconsistent?
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Author: msloss
Date: 2003-07-30 12:10
Gretchen,
I've played on a number of Ks over time, and own three, and yes, they are that inconsistent. Some of that is the variation from cutting them to players' specs, some from restoring facings, and some from those who thought, rightly or wrongly, that they could improve them. I suppose you could call it character...
My two cents (which, with depreciation are probably only worth 1.5 cents) are to listen to the others and go with a living craftsman if you want a custom mouthpiece. In fact, get two for what you would spend on the Kaspar. There are countless horror stories which I'm sure other denizens of Sneezy would happily retell of being reliant on these one-of-a-kind mpieces only to have them get broken or lost at a critical moment (gig, audition, etc.). Not only are the new mouthpieces very good, they are replaceable.
Best of luck with your search. Mark.
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2003-07-30 12:17
And furthermore...
One of my favorite players (teacher and performer) has for years loved the Kaspar sound (and promptly had Lee Livengood clean up any 'keeper') is now playing the Vandoren M30...
Available for $55, and in large quantities!
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Author: Gretchen
Date: 2003-07-30 18:45
I bought a mpc from Lee Livengood last year! He's a good mpc maker/repairman. It turns out the mpc I bought doesn't have a big enough sound. I might ask him to make it somehow so that it doesn't change the resistance factor, but make it so I can get a bigger sound. we'll see.
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Author: msloss
Date: 2003-07-31 12:11
Gretchen,
You might try some other barrels as well before you have Lee change your mpiece. Easier to try a box full of barrels than to undo a mpiece tweak. You might find the right combination that opens up your sound.
M.
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Author: Gretchen
Date: 2003-07-31 16:20
one other question. I asked this on another post but I guess no one saw it.
In comparing open vs. closed mouthpieces, an open mpc usually gives you more volume, more flexability, etc. A closed mpc. gives you more focus and more less flexability which is why it's good for classical music.
My question is does a closed mpc necessarily rid you of volume control? Can you get more volume out of an open mpc or a closed mpc? or does it just depend on the facing? And if it depends on the facing, what facing is good for volume however enables you to have a closed facing at the same time?
I currently play on a 5rv lyre which is good for everything pretty much, I'm just looking to produce a bit more volume. I feel like my eyes are popping out of my head when I play ff or louder and my teacher continues to ask me for more sound.
Any suggestions or thoughts would be appreciated.
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