 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Ralph G
Date: 2004-02-27 16:14
I just downloaded parts of the latest catalog from IMS (looking to get a Bonade lig since my beloved Harrison bit the dust), and in looking at the Mouthpiece section, under Vandoren they have a bullet that says "'Crystal' Series -- smooth with good projection." That's all they have; there's no mention of crystal Vandorens in the available models.
Is this just an error, or could the famed Vandoren crystals be coming back?B
________________
Artistic talent is a gift from God and whoever discovers it in himself has a certain obligation: to know that he cannot waste this talent, but must develop it.
- Pope John Paul II
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2004-02-27 20:16
Ralph,
Just out of curiosity, why do you say the Vandoren crystal mouthpieces were "famed"? Did anyone famous regularly play one? The few I've tried in the past weren't very good with the factory facings.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2004-02-27 20:49
Well put, Dave, So far I've had 3 crystals refaced, the one [Bass] you did for me [its great, very sim. to an old GG-Pom 3], and 2 O'Brien Bb refacings by my friend in Italy, Manfredo Cavallini [can provide URL]. With a new alto cl glass [Pomarico, fine so far] I am well converted to glass/crystal and the taking of great care of them!! As far as "famous" goes, prob. Pete F is the most visible beyond my close f[r]iends, I'm trying to remember if Shifrin played on a glass "rite hear in River City" on back. Great with care! Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2004-02-27 22:54
I used to use an A2 crystal back in the mid 80s,...I thought this was pretty good however, I found the hardness of the material somewhat disconcerting. Wherever that mouthpiece went who knows...
David Dow
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Author: Ralph G
Date: 2004-02-27 23:04
"Famed?" You've heard of them, right? Then they're famous.
GBK plays on two of them, so that must also make them famous. (There should be a Bboard rule called the Law of GBK: Invoking GBK's name in anything ensures credibility.) And doesn't Jon Manasse use one?
Vandoren crystals are also "famed" because:
- one is reportedly dating Paris Hilton
- the "Vandoren Crystal Diet" is now featured in Oprah's Book Club
- one makes a cameo appearance on the season opener of "The Sopranos"
- they don't even bother returning Spielberg's calls
________________
Artistic talent is a gift from God and whoever discovers it in himself has a certain obligation: to know that he cannot waste this talent, but must develop it.
- Pope John Paul II
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Author: GBK
Date: 2004-02-27 23:16
Ralph G wrote:
> GBK plays on two of them
Someone has a good memory.
Yes...my primary mouthpieces are a pair of Vandoren crystals. (I also have 2 back-up ones.) These were tediously selected from about 30 different ones in the early 70's. They have served me very well over the years. Although some crystal mouthpieces can be quite stuffy (probably due to a lack of control in the final cooling/finishing of the raw material), if you are lucky enough to find a "live one", it is a joy to play.
Aside from my treasured Kaspar and Borbeck, other crystals that I have and also play from time to time are an old Pomarico crystal (2AL facing) and a 70's vintage O'Brien ...GBK
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-02-27 23:52
Shermann Friedland also loves crystal mouthpieces and played one for a very long time until an unfortunate accident one day . . . poor poor mouthpiece.
http://clarinet.cc/Article036.html
And there are many pros that use them. But then again there are many pros that use vandorens, and Greg Smiths, and Bays, and Selmers, and. . . .
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: john gibson
Date: 2004-02-28 01:54
bottom line........POMARICO is the BEST. Riccardo Clericci is the MAN. You want CRYSTAL.......no......you want the BEST......then there' no question....
Pomarico is IT.......PERIOD.
JG
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Author: JimV
Date: 2004-02-28 03:49
Hi all
Well, its good to see talk about crystal mouthpieces again. I really like the latest 1959 O'Brien I aquired. Its like GBK says, "Once you find a good crystal you will never go back to anything else", or something like that. As far as famous jazz players using crystal I personally know that Pete Fountain, Chuck Hedges and Bob Wilber use O'Brien crystal mouthpieces. In Pete's case its a 4* with the tip opened a little.
Alexi, I have read that sad story more than once where Shermann Friedland tells of his love for the crystal mouthpiece he had. He has never been able to replace it.
I hope the interest and demand, and I'm sure it will due to the great sound one can get with a good one, stays for a good crystal mouthpiece as I know of something in the works. I can't say anymore than that. Don't you just hate it when someone does that! I will stay in touch with the BBoard when and if it happens.
Jim Valentine
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-02-28 04:22
Quote:
I know of something in the works. I can't say anymore than that. What a tease!![[wink]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie3.gif)
Now we're all gonna be drooling to see what's coming up. Nothing like knowing that there's new clarinet stuff coming out . . . like the new student clarinet Doc is working on, the new Gonzalez reeds coming out, and now this! Well, hell! We have a whole new setup to look forward too!![[rotate]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smiley25.gif)
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Keith Ferguson
Date: 2004-02-28 19:44
One further player - perhaps prominent rather than famous - is French clarinetist Michel Lethiec, who recently spent a week in my town giving performances and master classes, and who plays on a Vandoren A2.
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Author: ohsuzan
Date: 2004-03-01 12:43
Another player who uses -- or at least used to use -- a crystal mouthpiece is David Peck of the Houston Symphony. I believe his is a Lurie, with a BG Revelation ligature, and he sounds so sweet and smooth . . .
I took a few lessons with David a decade or so ago (during one of my intermittent freak-out periods when I couldn't stand my own sound enough to play in front of anyone -- including him). He got me one of the Luries -- "Premium" model -- to use on my then-new R-13. I HATED it. It seemed to me to be totally stuffy and unflexible. (For the R-13, I currently like the Vandoren 5RV13Lyre and the Clark Fobes Debut/Nova/SF line.)
But recently I acquired a used Opus, and in trying out my various mouthpieces on it, I was astounded to find that the old Lurie just sings on that instrument. Which reinforces the point that so many on this list have made -- no one piece of equipment will suit all the horns and all the people all the time.
Not freaking this week,
Susan Kundert
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2004-03-01 14:41
My question was not "who plays/played crystal mouthpieces" in general, but more specifically who plays/played VANDOREN crystals. Most of the mouthpieces listed above are O'Briens or Pomaricos (Mitchell Lurie crystals are made by Pomarico). No big deal, I was just curious.
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Author: Ralph G
Date: 2004-03-01 18:41
And I was curious if Vandy crystals were coming back. But since nobody's said so, I'm guessing it was just a mistake in the catalog -- and that they're essentially living on with Pomarico anyway.›
________________
Artistic talent is a gift from God and whoever discovers it in himself has a certain obligation: to know that he cannot waste this talent, but must develop it.
- Pope John Paul II
Post Edited (2004-03-01 18:44)
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-03-01 19:58
have you called IMS and asked them? They would know the best!
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Ralph G
Date: 2004-03-01 20:00
No. I'm not buying anything yet, so it seemed like a question to pose here instead of bugging the sales staff.r
________________
Artistic talent is a gift from God and whoever discovers it in himself has a certain obligation: to know that he cannot waste this talent, but must develop it.
- Pope John Paul II
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-03-01 20:13
Quote:
I'm not buying anything yet, so it seemed like a question to pose here instead of bugging the sales staff. I can understand that. But, if you were thinking you MIGHT buy it, I don't find anything morally wrong with asking the sales staff about it. Calling them up and asking them their thoughts about products they don't sell would be annoying to them I'm sure. But if they can make a sale, they'll probably be willing to tell you whatever you need to know about their products.
And as this is a question as to their catalogue (are they coming back) rather than the specifics on the mouthpiece themselves, why not ask? I would!
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: CPW
Date: 2004-03-02 03:01
OKay
here is the story.
One Vandy crystal was seen on the red carpet at Cannes.
Papparazzi overtook the scene and a mad car chase ensued
Rumors of an Oscar nite appearance amounted to nothing
But....and here is the clincher....(high screeching noise then muffled sounds, definitely French cuss words...then sudden disconnect )
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2004-03-02 14:03
....and all this time I thought Vandoren was a mouthpiece and "Paris Hilton" was a hotel in France..................
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2004-03-02 20:40
Good Humor CPW/Dave !! I cant help wondering how many mp sellers are really glass mp manufacturers, and who just have their names etched on other's products? To my knowledge, Pomarico MAY be the only current maker for European [et al?] sales, but the O'Brien Co. MAY have descended to supply a [very?] modest demand in North/South America. How about Japan?? I'm sure some glass fabricating companies, having the special techniques and technicians needed, have tried their hands at it, but who? Small makers? Quite a few sellers !! HELP, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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