 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Rev. Avery
Date: 2003-12-25 15:29
Hi,
I've read posts about facing, but still need some help.
What kind of sound (I know that's a relative question) does a shorter facing produce. I'm looking at a selmer crystal with a medium (1.15mm) opening and 17mm short facing.
And, would you get it, say, instead of a Pomarico? This Selmer crystal is supposed to have been made by Pomarico
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2003-12-25 16:27
I don't think facings produce different sounds as much as chambers, bores, baffles and other "interior" work do. Facings just determine how soft/hard a reed is used and whether you can bend the pitch or not. Jazz players tend to use open mouthpieces which make it easier to bend notes whereas classical players tend to use closed facings to keep the sound focused and not waver that much. Judging by that facing you'd probably need a medium reed. Maybe 3 or 3.5 reed.
I have a selmer crystal facing #1. It's nice, but not as flexible or deep in tone as my refaced gigliotti. But I myself am going to try a few different mouthpieces in January so I can't as of yet say what my favorite is (although so far my Gigliotti has been phenominal!) You're best bet is to go through a mail order place like IMS or WWBW, order three mouthpieces, and test them out. Order different facings, then see which facing you like the best. Then order different mouthpieces of that similar facing (if you liked closed, medium, long/short facing, etc.) and pick which mouthpiece you like the best. THEN order a few of the same exact make/model and pick the best out of those.
Or try the custom made ones instead of the mass produced ones. For only a few bucks extra, you get one that has already had all the kinks worked out of it by someone. Dave Spiegelthal did mine and I love it, but next january I'm going to be trying a Greg Smith, another DS mouthpiece (slightyl different facing than mine), and possible a Clark Fobes Nova. All very highly regarded as great mouthpiece makers, so it'll more than likely be a VERY tough call. More to come on that in the future . . .
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Clarence
Date: 2003-12-25 18:26
I personaly would not reface a crystal. Thats like spending money to fixup an old car.
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Author: Mark Pinner
Date: 2003-12-25 22:12
Beware the very open Pomarico lays. They feel great with a soft reed to start with but they can be heavy going after a while. I have also found the extra weight overall a bit disconcerting on a long gig.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2003-12-26 02:04
Clarence, the difference between a crystal mouthpiece and an old car is that if you get the crystal mouthpiece playing great, it'll be good to you FOREVER since it won't warp, or wear out (unless you have gold or silver teeth or swab it with very hard steel wool). Of course, there's always the risk of dropping and completely shattering it . . .
As for the weight, if you haven't tried one you'll be surprised to the extra weight it adds. On a long gig a neckstrap would DEFINITELY help ease that thumb from supporting the clarinet.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Clarence
Date: 2003-12-26 19:30
sfalexi,
I am very familiar with crystal mouthpieces. I played on a Selmer HS** crystal for 4 years in high school. I had never played on anything else and did not realize how much weight it did add. At that time, I had never seen another clarinet player using a crystal. To this day, I have never played a mouthpiece with the volume and clarity in the altissimo range as that mouthpiece.
As for dropping, I have only dropped one mouthpiece in my life and that was a rubber one. Never dropped a clarinet either. Let me find some wood to knock on...
As for neck strap, never seen one until recently. Could have used one in Hemishere 1968 parade in San Antonio, Tx. Our band marched 54 blocks in hottest part of the summer. That crystal mouthpiece was getting really heavy.
Post Edited (2003-12-26 19:32)
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2003-12-26 19:45
I have a crystal mouthpiece as well. Dropped it myself (on a carpeted floor thank goodness). Turns out though that it's not as good as my other mouthpiece so even if it did break I would just laugh cruelly at it's shattered pieces on the floor. Then sweep them up.
Out of curiosity, why wouldn't you pay to have a crystal mouthpiece refaced? I see no harm in it.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Clarence
Date: 2003-12-26 20:11
Crystals shouldn't wear. If you are trying to close the tip gap, you are also changing other parameters as well. You may end up with something not as good as you started with.
The main reason is cost. You can regularly find Selmer, O'brian, Vandoren and pormarco crystals on ebay for 60.00-80.00.
If you buy one and don't like it. You bought it on ebay and you sell it on ebay. Who knows, you may even make a buck.
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Author: Luke
Date: 2003-12-27 05:41
Clarence: "Never dropped a clarinet either. Let me find some wood to knock on... "
I thought you said you didn't drop it in the first place =)
Nevertheless, it seems Rev Avery was asking about facing LENGTH, not opening. Keep in mind there's also a very underlooked aspect, the facing CURVE. Here's a good article by the late Santy Runyon that should answer most questions.
http://www.runyonproducts.com/article.clar1.html
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Author: GBK
Date: 2003-12-27 06:23
Clarence said:
> The main reason is cost. You can regularly find Selmer,
> O'brian, Vandoren and pormarco crystals on ebay
> for 60.00-80.00.
Vintage Vandoren crystal mouthpieces are selling for substantially more than $60-$80 on eBay...GBK
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Author: Rev. Avery
Date: 2003-12-27 11:02
"Nevertheless, it seems Rev Avery was asking about facing LENGTH, not opening. Keep in mind there's also a very underlooked aspect, the facing CURVE. Here's a good article by the late Santy Runyon that should answer most questions."
Yes, thank you Luke (my middle son's name is Luke). I'm going to read the article right now. Thanks
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Author: Clarence
Date: 2003-12-27 14:49
GBK said:
>Vintage Vandoren crystal mouthpieces are selling for substantially more than $60-$80 on eBay...GBK>
GBK is correct. I went and looked. There is one listed in completed sales. That one was listed as "new" and went for 205.00.
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Author: Clarence
Date: 2003-12-27 14:56
Thats right Luke.
I said that I have never dropped a clarinet or even knocked one over but I have dropped one rubber mouthpiece.
That conversation was with sfalexi.
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