 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2005-11-21 15:56
In all the years I've been playing clarinet (46 now) I've never broken a mouthpiece. I was washing my newly acquired Kaspar Cicero 11 (for which I paid $450.00) and dropped it. Yes, the whole tip broke off (quite substantially). I'm heartsick.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2005-11-21 17:01
Everyone on the East Coast heard the screaming. 
Along with a Kaspar, I have used the same Vandoren crystal mouthpieces for more than 30 years. They never get moved unless the mouthpiece cap is on and/or being held over carpeted surfaces.
Cleaning is done with a dampened cloth in the carpeted studio...GBK
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Author: Bnewbs
Date: 2005-11-21 17:20
My heartfelt condolences go out to you, the Kaspar, and your clarinets. That is the worst news I have heard in a while. I hope you can find a way to get over your loss,
Ben
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Author: RodRubber
Date: 2005-11-21 17:24
At least you know it was a good one. You can throw a bad mouthpiece out a third floor wndow, and it generally will not crack upon impact. A good mouthpiece will break if you drop it on a pillow. THats the old mouthpiece test. THere should be another Kaspar coming your way soon.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2005-11-21 17:25
Or you can use my (disggusting) solution - don't clean your mouthpiece....
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Author: archer1960
Date: 2005-11-21 17:43
Clarnibass said:
> Or you can use my (disggusting) solution - don't clean your mouthpiece....
I never cleaned my MP in 6 years of use, except for swabbing out after every single use. No nasty odors at all...
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2005-11-21 18:19
Well, I do feel some better with your sympathy. I've gotten a few emails letting me know it might be fixable. It's a great big smiley-faced break and there are 2 larger pieces and a bunch of chips. It was in a bubble wrap protector because I was on my way to my tech guy to get a new cork. That's the amazing thing. So, I guess RodRubber is right--must have been a good one.
I still feel sick. It sounded great on my new Opus II with my Backun barrel. Ugh.
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2005-11-21 18:58
> don't clean your mouthpiece
Ain't they dishwasher proof?
<quickly hides>
--
Ben
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Author: Bnewbs
Date: 2005-11-21 19:10
Thats awful, I shouldn't laugh, but I did. If anybody has ever put a mouthpiece through the dishwasher they got what they deserved.
Ben
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2005-11-21 19:15
A little laughter could be good medicine at this point. It's no worse than dropping one on the floor.
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2005-11-21 19:18
"Please be careful, Inspector Clousseau, that is an irreplaceable Ming dynasty vase!"
{crash heard, face of actor turns pale}
"Naht anymorrrre"
(from one of the Pink Panther sequels with Peter Sellers)
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
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Author: ohsuzan
Date: 2005-11-21 19:28
Wow! Even on a tile floor, I can't believe it broke right through all that bubblewrap. It would have had to hit JUST right.
Any possibility that it was damaged before you got it -- something weakened that wouldn't be noticeable at first?
Sincere condolences. When I read your post, I felt like someone punched me in the stomach. And it's not even my mouthpiece.
Susan
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2005-11-21 19:38
I suppose it's possible it was damaged before, but I really doubt it. Yes, amazing it broke. I was stunned at first as I just stood and looked at it. It was kind of like the time I fell and broke my right hand. I was stunned for a min. and then decided to pop the bone back into place because I'm a clarinetist. And, as it turned out it was a good thing I did that because the emergency room Dr. was not very good at setting bones. I still ended up having to go to a specialist and he said my quick action probably saved my ability to use my hand. He promised I could play the violin, but I can't. So much for that.
Yes, Inspector Clousseau and I have a lot in common.
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Author: archer1960
Date: 2005-11-21 19:40
ohsuzan wrote:
> Wow! Even on a tile floor, I can't believe it broke right
> through all that bubblewrap. It would have had to hit JUST
> right.
That looks like just one layer of bubble wrap, with the bubbles on the inside, so the tip of the MP probably went between two of the bubbles and had just a thin layer of plactic between it and the floor. Really bad luck...
I was pretty upset when I broke a mouthpiece back in high school in the 70's and had to beg my parents for $20 to get a new one; I can't imagine what it would feel like with a $450 one.
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2005-11-21 19:42
Well okay, I have one badly bitten unmarked scarred junk mpc. I'll dishwash it and post pictures...
--
Ben
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Author: GBK
Date: 2005-11-21 19:42
To all Kaspar owners:
The value of our mouthpieces just increased by roughly .00031% ![[wink]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie3.gif) - GBK
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Author: hans
Date: 2005-11-21 20:07
I was wondering if homeowner's insurance might cover the loss (or repair cost)?
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2005-11-21 20:09
Yeah, GBK, that's good thinking.
I don't know about the homeowner's insurance. But, I'll check into it. I doubt it. I think we have a huge deductible of something like $2,000.00. We live in an historic home that was built in 1895 and had to beg for insurance--even though it's all stone construction.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2005-11-21 20:16
From all the mouthpiece talk on this BB, it's clear that (1) there are MANY fine mouthpieces being made today, a good percentage of them by BB sponsors; and (2) it's also been established that a good player will rapidly adjust to a new mouthpiece and very soon sound just the same as before. So Brenda, put it behind you, get another mouthpiece, and move on. Tears should be shed on lost family members and loved pets, not on hunks of hard rubber.
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2005-11-21 21:05
I haven't shed tears yet--and probably won't, just a little stomach burning indigestion over the $450.00. But, I just got an email from Walter Grabner and he said he's going to try to repair it just to see if it can be repaired. I'm sending it off today.
You're right about family members and loved pets.
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2005-11-21 21:13
450 bucks is quite a wad of money for a chunk of rubber. I'd have a sour stomach too. Not because of the loss but because of that clumsy feller who managed to drop it. The worst punishment is that one cannot blame it on someone else...
--
Ben
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Author: 3dogmom
Date: 2005-11-21 21:34
Brenda, it really feels awful to break something, valued or not. It's not even so much about the money, or the fact that it was a great mouthpiece...wait, I was trying to sympathize, not make you feel worse. You certainly do have a nice, clean break there.
Considering that it's your first breakage, you're overdue! Now you aren't going to break any more for another 46 years, right? Laws of probability, etc.
Sue Tansey
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2005-11-21 22:00
If I ever own another genuine Kaspar, I doubt I'll break it. It'll be carried everywhere on a very safe, satin pillow with a cut out indention like you would find in a clarinet case. Also, a satin cover so it couldn't tip over and fall out on its way to wherever I'm going.
I'll let everyone know how Walter does on the repair.
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Author: Bill
Date: 2005-11-21 22:43
Oh man! I watched this mouthpiece. I bid substantially on this mouthpiece.
I'm in mourning. Terry Guidetti is the best. (Kaspar is OK, too.)
Bill.
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Author: Bill
Date: 2005-11-21 22:44
Brenda -
I believe Rick Sayre specializes in repairing Kaspars.
http://www.sayrewoodwinds.com/
Bill.
Bill Fogle
Ellsworth, Maine
(formerly Washington, DC)
Post Edited (2005-11-21 22:47)
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Author: Bob A
Date: 2005-11-21 22:48
Dave: "Tears should be shed on lost family members and loved pets, not on hunks of hard rubber." Does this mean your beloved donkey died? One hopes not.
Brenda: Forget the Kasper and thank God your hearing is yet good enough to bring you to the point where $450 will provide a sufficient improvement over the $150-200 item many others use. May it always be so, God willing.
Bob A
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Author: stevesklar
Date: 2005-11-22 01:54
If you can't get it fixed you may want to try and contact Frank Kasper's great grandson. He apparently still has a bunch of stuff. He might support you after hearing your story and ship one off to you.
he's on ebay from time to time.
[ Snipped - ebay links are not permitted - GBK ]
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2005-11-22 04:26
>Ain't they dishwasher proof?
><quickly hides>
I'll let you know tomorrow 
<quickly hides in the dishwasher>
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2005-11-22 12:58
stevesklar,
I have been in communication with Frank's great grandson over the last several months. He hasn't been helpful. I've explained to him that I was really wanting to get another mouthpiece for my collection and he said he didn't know enough about them to know what they were. I asked if he'd take some photos or describe some of them and he hasn't done that as of yet. However, it doesn't matter now because my cash flow just hit the bathroom floor.
Walter Grabner offered to take a look at it and see if it's repairable, so it's on its way to his house now.
Sorry Bill. Wish you had outbid me.
And Bob A., it really DID sound better than my others.
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Author: Chetclarinet
Date: 2005-11-24 21:34
Brenda--I all the years I have been playing clarinet--50!, I have broken several Kaspars----I have a friend --Richard Wilkie who is a master at mouthpiece repair--he works here in the Houston area and is an excellent refacer also. Let me know if you still need help with the one you broke--I did the same thing a year ago to a great playing Kaspar . After Richard fixed it, it actually plays better than when it was broken! Chester
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2005-11-24 22:26
> After Richard fixed it, it actually plays better than when it was broken!
I very much hope so...
--
Ben
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Author: moeboy
Date: 2005-11-25 01:39
i feel for you. we all know how marching band takes its toll on instruments. i broke a vandoren b45 at one game, and then two weeks later, i broke the second brand new one i had. i was truely heart broken, and out of money.
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2005-11-25 13:07
One possible comfort (if that is even possible) is that you weren't "attached" to the mouthpiece.
Say you had one that you had played for 5 years and it was better than sliced bread, then broke it - that would have hurt more.
And still, maybe you can get it fixed, it looks only broken, not shattered so if it really is a clean break, you may have a shot at getting it fixed.
Of course it's not a "do it yourself job"
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Author: Bill
Date: 2006-03-26 22:06
How did the K11 turn out after repair by Brad Behn?
Bill.
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2006-03-27 14:57
Bill, FANTASTIC! I posted about it a while back but don't remember the title of the thread right off.
Brad did a first class job. It plays beautifully--in fact, it plays better than it did before the break. And, you can't tell it was ever broken except for two very, very tiny white dots where the epoxy filled in for the broken pieces (I mean specks like 2 DUST spots). I'm totally amazed. He is also a class gentleman.
Thanks for asking.
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Author: Bill
Date: 2006-03-27 19:45
Wonderful! That mouthpiee has everything going for it - the pedigree plus Terry's fabulous work (and now Brad's).
These are really good days to be a clarinetist. We have a tremendous number of fabulous artists working.
Bill.
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2006-03-27 20:08
I agree, Bill. I'm pleasantly surprised that you kept up with this one. I don't know how much of Terry's work remains, but it was in need of some TLC when I got it. It had, however, been very nicely done by him before I dropped it. Since Brad worked on it it has more Chedeville tones (as you might expect) than it did before. Simply super articulation--very easy blowing and clean. Thanks again for asking and yes, we are very blessed to have such fine artisans among us with the dedication to the art of clarinet. These old mouthpieces are worth keeping. I'm so glad it could be saved because it is a truly fine Cicero.
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Author: Carol Dutcher
Date: 2006-03-27 22:50
My sympathy. I know the feeling. A few years back the German Shepherd reached up onto the table and grabbed my new Borbeck mouthpiece and had a fine time chewing it up. When I called Mr. Borbeck to order a replacement because the dog ate it, his first remark was, "That had to have been a poodle."
I am intimidated by my Pomarico crystal mouthpiece and don't use it ofen for fear of dropping it. So far, it has lasted, despite the fact that I am a world-class klutz.
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2006-03-28 15:57
Always store a crystal mouthpiece under a pyramid.
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
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