 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Nathan
Date: 2004-11-22 16:39
Someone had said in a post recently that they thought the Hite mpcs were no longer in production. A couple of retailers websites (like ww&bw) have been gradually extending backorder dates on these with the current date being 12-31-04, implying that they will eventually be available. I know David Hite passed away not too long ago, and assumed that the extensive backorders were a result of this (understandably so). Does anyone know definitively, one way or the other, if these mpcs will be available again or not. I've been wanting to acquire one for both my Bb & Bass.
Thanks,
Nathan
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2004-11-22 16:44
John Moses seems to have more info then I do about the current issues relating to the Hite mouthpiece product line. Unfortunately it seems they are no longer available...but, I have heard that someone has bought the business(this from JJM himself) and apparently will be producing Hite mouthpiece.
As to the quality of the Hite pieces without the guidance of David Hite at the helm, well-- I am hoping the specifications and quality will be along the lines that David Hite apired to...
His mouthpiece were very fine and played with great ease and cleaness of projection. I was fortunate to have been in consultation with David Hite over my set up and he set me up with a superb mouthpiece(s).
However, being a realist as well ,-I suspect it may be quite some time before you can buy a David Hite mouthpiece. On top of this the new generation are hopefully as good as the excellent work Mr. David Hite did on his mouthpieces...
Regards
David Dow
Post Edited (2004-11-22 16:47)
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2004-11-22 16:49
It has nothing to do with backorders - there aren't any being shipped. I think that his wife Jean wants to keep options open so it isn't like they are no longer availiable at all, but for the time being they aren't.
The student version I still see in stores but not the Pro at all.
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Author: John J. Moses
Date: 2004-11-22 20:14
The posts of the two Davids about are pretty much all I know.
I was a close friend of David & Jean Hite for many years. I've used and recommended HITE mpcs to students and friends who use and love them.
I am saddened to hear his professional mpcs are difficult to get. I'll contact Jean to find out when "the shop" will be up and running, if at all. Jean's last thoughts to me were, she wanted out of the business to get on with her life without David...a tall order!
If I can find out who will be taking over the production of the "new" HITE mpc, I'll post it ASAP.
JJM
Légère Artist
Clark W. Fobes Artist
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2004-11-22 20:38
John, here's a morbid coincidence -
just 3 months before Dave died (so this is before he got sick) he wrote me "I wonder if the Gigliotti mouthpiece will continue to live now that he is gone".
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Author: Nathan
Date: 2004-11-22 21:05
Thanks for the quick and informative responses to my inquiry.
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Author: Matt Locker
Date: 2004-12-16 15:53
I see that there is an expected availability date on these mouthpieces at the big e-retailers. Does anyone have any experience with the post-David Hite mpcs?
Thanks,
Matt
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Author: Nathan
Date: 2004-12-16 18:52
I've talked to a couple of these companies (WW&BW and Musicians Friend, which I believe is the same as Music 123) about these dates. They said they aren't positive that they will be getting any Hite mpc's in period, let alone on those dates. Why they have they those dates posted I don't know. I'm assuming you are referring to the expected delivery date of 12/31/04 (approx.).
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Author: CPW
Date: 2004-12-16 19:46
Similarly:
The AMG and Marcellus mouthpieces are available long after the regretable demise of the designers. When I contacted the AMG site about barrels, however, I received no response.
I believe Chas Bay is alive and hopefully well, but even after phone contact, I got nowhere, and his stuff is always in short supply from the dealers. IMO He seems to be a singular unit.
The makers of Blayman and Genussa still keep on truckin' despite the illness and death (respectively) of the founders...and the quality seems to be intact.
Having been pleased with the Hite product prior to his unfortunate death, I hope that someone will carry on and maintain the standards of excellence that are associated with the marque. (thanks to Car and Driver for the wording of that sentence)
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Author: jjclarinet
Date: 2004-12-17 14:16
It's really ironic that Hite was talking about other manufs continuing their legacy just months before he passed himself. (and he didn't know it yet).
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