 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: fredackerman
Date: 2004-04-02 01:43
I know that this isn't the way it works, but.. weeks ago, I e-mailed Greg, with my backround asking him if his mouthpiece would be compatible with a Clarinet beginner. I received a nice answer [mentioning that my ten years with the Tenor Sax] made me, not such a novice. We arranged for a telephone call and I was so impressed with his terrific personality that I knew one of his mouthpieces would, without a doubt work for me. Since he was still on vacation when we spoke, the mouthpiece selection came a few weeks later. [Note] I've been taking lessons now since December [2003], twice a week + daily practice and although my fingering was "fine" my sound was not up to my instructors standards, we tried five different mouthpieces, changed reeds [Vandoren is naming a building after me] the whole nine yards. Back to the story... I told my teacher about the selection and she gave me a two hour slot to audition them for her. The day comes, this is a few weeks back, I bring the Smith Mouthpieces to her studio and the first one I tried was the Old Kaspar "Chicago" with a V12 #3. on my Selmer BT. I played my scales, she said "again", so I played on and she smiled (this woman never really smiles) "again", gee, I thought I was in the road company of "My Fair Lady". I kept playing and she kept smiling, well that was it! I didn't get to play all the mouthpieces, but spent the full two hours with the Old Kaspar! If she was happy, then I was happy! The Smith Mouthpiece did make a difference...I heard [for the very first time] a really nice sound and I made it! Thank you Greg, you will certainly hear from me again.
Fred
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-04-02 02:01
My experience was VERY similar to yours. After various phonecalls and receiving the shipment I sat down with my instructor to test out a Greg Smith 1* and 1 facings (Chedeville styles). To make it a fair test I tested it against my (then) current mouthpiece, a refaced Gigliotti P (by dave speigelthal, so it's a great one too). First I played the gigliotti (I played the first section of Weber's Concertino). Then I played the second (facing 1) mouthpiece. Same selection. Then I played the third (1*) and after four measures my instructor said, "That's the one."
And I'm happy. What a great guy to deal with as well. Someone who knows what good customer service should be. Corresponding through personal phone calls, evaluating your situation and making recommendations, superb overall experience.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: fredackerman
Date: 2004-04-03 16:02
Alexi, Yes! "what a great guy to deal with as well", Greg Smith made my instructor smile... and he's 1400 Miles North!
Fred
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-04-03 17:55
I did not. For a few reasons . . .
1) I am getting my NEW clarinet worked on and don't know what length barrel it will need (it came with a 61.5 I think and is WAY too sharp, but I don't know what the correct length is so couldn't buy one)
2) The person working on it is selecting a Bartolai barrel to use with it. I liked the Bartolai barrel on my Buffet E&S and if it works well with the new clarinet I may as well stick with it.
3) I'm close enough to Guy Chadash to call and take a trip there to select one in person.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Fred
Date: 2004-04-03 23:51
I got the Ched 1+ with the Chadash barrel. Greg was exceedingly kind to work with - very helpful and very gracious. I was playing a 1966 R13. The barrel made a noticeable difference - not as great as the mp, but significant enough to justify the expense.
Interestingly enough (still don't really understand it), I told Greg my R13 had a 66mm barrel. He recommended that he send a 65mm Chadash along with an assortment of mp's to try. He was right . . . I'm glad to have the 65 instead of the 66.
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Author: fredackerman
Date: 2004-04-05 05:05
Nope! Greg knows this is just the beginning for me! I need to get up to speed before another barrel. When John Butler completes the restoration of my other two horns, I plan to revisit Mr. Smith and his wonderful Mouthpiece Selection..
Fred
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Author: terry
Date: 2004-04-06 10:13
I love your story! Greg Smith is to be commended!
1929 matched A and Bb Herman Todt Clarinets, Chadash Mouthpiece, Fogietta reeds, http://sterkel.org/clarinet
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Author: LeWhite
Date: 2004-04-07 03:45
My Greg Smith story is a little funny actually... When he came to Australia my teacher selected about 20 and bought them all, to sell a majority to students.
Well, he hasn't got that many left - I had about 6 to choose from I think. I chose a very nice 'K' (whatever that means...) and my teacher was a little sad... That was his favorite one and no-one had picked it until now, he was hoping no-one would, it was a very reluctant sale!
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-04-07 13:54
That is funny! BTW, you have the "kaspar" facing. (the K). The Chedeville would be (yup, you guessed it) C.
US Army Japan Band
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Author: L. Omar Henderson
Date: 2004-04-08 02:51
Just my own two cents worth. I have known Greg for several years and he is a truely talented player and expert mouthpiece maker - besides being a very warm, friendly, and helpful person. I asked Greg for some help finding a mouthpiece and after an insighful interview over the telephone where he no doubt determined by experience level, playing style, and hardware setup he sent me a passle of mouthpieces to try out. It was a wonderful experience and I found that I had to play each mouthpiece with several different "good" reeds over a several day period and keep my own personal notes about each one as far as perceived tonal qualities, ease of response throughout each register, quick arpegio scales, etc.. After these trials I chose two, a "K" and a "C". I already had an older Clark Fobes 66 mm barrel that I was determined to use so I did not avail myself of the matched barrel and mouthpiece setup that he offered. I am still exceptionally pleased with both mouthpieces and they tend to be my favorites for most playing situations. I do have many, many other mouthpieces with some that I favor for special situations but overall I am very pleased with his mouthpieces - with no detriment to the other fine custom mouthpiece makers - Fobes, Hawkins, Redwine, Gabner, Morgan, and others that I have not tried (but I will before my search for the holy grail is completed).
The Doctor
The Doctor
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Author: Nefertiti
Date: 2004-04-08 03:18
Being a novice to the clarinet mouthpiece world , can anyone tell me the difference between the Kasper model and the Chedeville facing. Is it the tip opening, baffle profile, side walls.........?? I'm very curious. Is one darker or brighter?
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-04-08 13:43
Quote:
The Doctor wrote . . .
but overall I am very pleased with his mouthpieces - with no detriment to the other fine custom mouthpiece makers - Fobes, Hawkins, Redwine, Gabner, Morgan, and others that I have not tried (but I will before my search for the holy grail is completed). Isn't the search just the most fun thing in the world? I swear if I could get a job simply playtesting different clarinets/mouthpieces/barrels/etc. I'd be one of the happiest men in the world!
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: terry
Date: 2004-04-08 13:58
I have collected some info on Chedeville on my personal home page. Click on Clarinet, follow down to Chedeville...
1929 matched A and Bb Herman Todt Clarinets, Chadash Mouthpiece, Fogietta reeds, http://sterkel.org/clarinet
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-04-08 14:56
I've read your stuff a few times Terry. I like your webpage. Cool to be able to show everyone else what you're up to. Anways, couple his information on chedeville's with http://www.woodwind.org/clarinet/Equipment/MBL/Kaspar.html for Kaspar's, and hopefully you'll see what the differences are and be a little more informed overall about the two different styles.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: billryan
Date: 2004-04-08 20:20
It pleases me that we have such fine people in our small community. Mr. Smith sounds cool!
Bill
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Author: beejay
Date: 2004-04-09 10:15
Passle! How nice to have such wordsmiths in our community.
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