 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Kel
Date: 2005-05-23 17:26
As an experiment I decided to see how little I could spend for a good mouthpiece and lig combo. After browsing the internet I ordered a Hite Premier (on sale for $14.99) and a Luyben lig ($4.99). This combo is basically on a par with my Morgan RM-15 and Bonade. This indicates either that we sound much the same no matter what the gear (within reason), or that my skills aren't sufficient to take advantage of the more costly setup, take your choice. This is with a Leblanc Classic II and Gonzalez FOF reeds. I am very impressed with both bargains. In fact, the Hite reminds me of the 1950s-era Brilhart Personaline I once used, but going by memory, it's easier to get a good sound from the Hite.
Post Edited (2005-05-23 17:27)
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2005-05-23 17:39
Hey Kel,
It is nice for someone else to discover what a lot of us have known for years, vintage stuff is very good and has a long life. As I have said before on this BB, I have 5 vintage clarinets that cost me - including repair work and repads - less than a new R13. The instrument I play are all pro level instruments made by Selmer, Leblanc, and Buffet.
When I include my original Portnoy BP02, a Buffet C Crown along with either an original Luyben or a modified Gigliottoi ligature, add another $90. My #1 setup now is the Luyben, a SWS 2 MP, and a LeBlanc L200. Total cost is less than $400. But you have to be a good shopper!
HRL
PS I tend to refer to myself as either thrifty or a late-adopter.
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Author: Clarinetgirl06
Date: 2005-05-23 18:48
I also noticed that the Luyben ligature plays like a Bonade or close to it. The only thing I don't like about that ligature is screwing it tight-it's hard to do because of the plastic body. I live in the KC area and have been to Luyben's a good amount of times. The people are really nice there, they have a huge selection of music, are very cooperative, and they have their poodles wander around their store (their house is connected to the store-it's a cute set-up). I'm glad that you like this cheap set-up! Congrats on a great find!
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2005-05-23 20:46
It's like motorcycles....
the performance specifications are more about the annual sales pitch than utility - most of us will never wring that last Iota of power from our gear.
The more familiar you are with your stuff, the better it seems to handle.
(Says the hack with all new hockey gear that STILL doesn't score goals!)
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2005-05-23 21:54
It's also like golf clubs. However, I am not ashamed to have equipment that is better than I will ever be (I have the #1 driver and the irons that were really hot many years ago). Technology can help only so much...
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Author: BassClarinetGirl
Date: 2005-05-25 11:40
Hey, new golf clubs really do work! I got a new driver for my birthday in March and my scoring average has gone down between 6-10 strokes from last year. But about clarinets- new stuff works if the old was really bad. A Hite Premier, for me, was 1,000 times better than my old Rico Royal B5 (a pretty paperweight now).
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Author: BobD
Date: 2005-05-25 11:55
"The only thing I don't like about that ligature is screwing it tight-"
Maybe the degree of tightness you have learned to use is excessive? Some respected experts claim that tightening too much can damage the mouthpiece.
"This indicates either that we sound much the same no matter what the gear (within reason), or that my skills aren't sufficient to take advantage of the more costly setup, take your choice."
....or that the makers of some good gear don't hype their gear like some others do.
Bob Draznik
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Author: GBK
Date: 2005-05-25 12:07
BassClarinetGirl wrote:
> A Hite Premier, for me, was 1,000 times better
> than my old Rico Royal B5
The Rico Royal mouthpieces have to be the ABSOLUTE WORST mouthpieces ever offered for sale, anytime, anywhere, any century.
When first marketed in the 1970's (or 1980's?) they were given out by the thousands - free to band directors, most of whom immediately threw them in the trash.
They were "-- Made from Graftonite™--- " (they should have left the graphite in the pencils)
Thick rails, thick tip, very resistant blowing, raised reed table, thin sound - nothing good whatsoever about them, except that they were (sadly) indestructable.
Toss it in the landfill where it belongs.
I think that the the half-life of lead is 22 years...GBK
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Author: Clarinetgirl06
Date: 2005-05-25 14:41
Bob D- it wasn't that I wasn't screwing it too tight (I actually like mine rather loose), it's just that it was plainly hard for me to screw the darn thing! (I was also in 6th grade and was weaker than I am now). I sadly lost mine and I think I'm going to search the house for it. I tried my friends recently and so that's why I say it sounds like a Bonade or similar to it.
What would make a good cheap marching band mouthpiece? I have a duet next year and want to sound better than I do now on my Yamaha 2* (Stock mouthpiece). By the way, on my wooden clarinet I use an M15, I just don't want my M15 to get ruined in the sun.
Fobes debut, Hite premier...........????????? When I say cheap, I mean under $35 since I have 1 year of marching band left.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2005-05-25 14:56
Cheap = low cost, low grade. I prefer "inexpensive" but of quality, as well brought out above. Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: Clarinetgirl06
Date: 2005-05-25 15:05
OK, so what are some inexpensive higher quality marching band mouthpieces? I just really wanted the question answered and thought what you said was already implied. Sorry if I communicated it wrong.
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2005-05-25 15:39
Carrie,
As I mentioned to you in my email the other day, the problem with the Luyben that does not have the brass screws is they are hard to turn. You said you though yours had the silver screws (just change them for ones that have the same thread but have larger gripping areas).
For the marching band MP, change your clarinet for a school trumpet or baritone and you'll easily be able to play a 3rd part; you'll have a lot of fun. When I was a HS band director, I had all woodwinds learn - and they loved it - to play brass instruments for MB.
If you still are set on the clarinet the Premier is fine, maybe a Yamaha 4C, or pick up an older Selmer HS** or something similar. I have two Lurie M3s that I got for $10 each on eBay and they play very well for me. You don't have to spend a lot of money but as I said earlier, be a good shopper. Go to a large music store or repair shop and ask if you can try some of their returns (there is usally a box somewhere); don't get hung up on the name but see how the MP plays first. I have some real clarinet as well as sax treasures that I acquired in that manner.
HRL
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2005-05-25 15:54
-------------------------------
The Rico Royal mouthpieces have to be the ABSOLUTE WORST mouthpieces ever offered for sale, anytime, anywhere, any century.
-------------------------------
For a while they were actually putting those atrocities in the Buffet Clarinets (student)!
But the hite premier is just a student mouthpiece. They are good, but not great and no substitute for a professional mouthpiece. Just like the fobes debut (which I find to be better) is.
Great but not as high a level as a professional one.
Glad it works well for you though!
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Author: Clarinetgirl06
Date: 2005-05-25 17:46
Hank-
I would totally play trumpet or any other instrument for marching band, but I'm a clarinet section leader and I have a clarinet duet in the show next year. I'm trying to get one of the school French horns because I was originally going to play the French horn before the clarinet. I had a good tone and everything-I just picked clarinet at the last minute just sort of randomly. Oh well... I've been successful with clarinet.
Yeah, I got what you are saying about the screws, at least everyone knows that information now!
Anyone else have mouthpiece suggestions?
I'll look into those mp's you mentioned. Thank you!
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