The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Melissa
Date: 2003-09-27 20:17
Everyone I have talked to about getting a new mouthpiece has strongly suggested I try lots of them before buying. So does this mean that stores will let you try out mouthpieces before buying one? I would have thought that they wouldn't because of germs. Will all stores let you, or should I phone a store first and ask?
Thank-you in advance,
Melissa
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2003-09-27 21:13
To curb 'tire kicking' (and eating up shop time), some stores will charge a nominal fee for each mouthpiece tested.
In my neighborhood, that fee is $1.00 USD per each, and the fee is directly applicable to purchase.
The mail order stores will do the same by charging a restocking fee.
They, of course, don't need to be present while you are testing.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2003-09-27 21:56
Be careful not to scratch any mouthpieces which you are trying out, or it may be considered sold when you try and return it for credit.
Use a bite pad on the top of the mouthpiece to prevent tooth marks. If you are using a metal ligature, protect the mouthpiece with small pieces of masking tape...GBK
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Author: Renato
Date: 2003-09-27 23:37
In my country (Brazil) they normally let you try out the mouthpieces. After that, they will spray some special anti-germ product for hygiene sake.
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Author: ChrisC
Date: 2003-09-28 01:41
That anti-germ treatment seems spurious to me, but it is indeed standard practice. I'm sure that the bacteria count on the average mouthpiece sitting in the shop (let alone the one in your case) is sky-high, but no one ever seems to get sick...I play on two used mouthpieces myself that were presumably tried out a number of times before I bought them.
I was indeed suprised when I first found out about the nonchalance with which players and salespeople alike regard mouthpiece trials, but I guess if people can keep on eating food from NYC hot dog stands and live to see the morning, trying out mouthpieces that someone might have played before you is no big deal.
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