 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Bill
Date: 2005-12-12 21:59
What is your experience, if any, seeing a "step" between the windway and chamber (bore) of a mouthpiece? The windway does not meet the bore smoothly (or on the level), and there is a pronounced step off into the bore. I've just encountered my second mpc that has this. Is (was) this a common mfg flaw?
Bill.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Alseg
Date: 2005-12-13 01:33
I have seen these in some mouthpieces, including some very good ones.
Perhaps the resident expert mouthpiece mavens could comment (catchy, huh, REMMs)
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Bill
Date: 2005-12-13 02:37
I have a Martin Freres "Q.S." that has this, and I just acqired a Penzel-Mueller (later than their "Artist") that also has it, but to a lesser degree than the Freres.
Bill.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris Hill
Date: 2005-12-13 04:16
I don't see this often, but some mouthpieces play very well with a slight step. If it plays well as it is, I wouldn't touch it. Are you experiencing problems with the sound or intonation?
It is more common to see a step from the baffle into the bore.
Chris
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: graham
Date: 2005-12-13 10:30
If I understand you right this is actually a design feature of my bass clarinet mouthpiece, so it is probably not bad as such.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Bill
Date: 2005-12-13 12:12
That's right, Chris, it is a step from the baffle into the bore - sorry. Thanks for the perspective(s).
Bill.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris Hill
Date: 2005-12-13 14:25
The step from the baffle to the bore is fairly common. It may not affect the sound and pitch at all. However, if it is large, there are two ways in which it might have an effect. If the sound is nasal, or if the throat tones are sharp, then you may want to have it altered. Keep in mind that this will change the resistance and pitch level of the mouthpiece.
Chris
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Alseg
Date: 2005-12-13 14:35
Thanks Chris. Nice to have the REMMS report in.
So now we have CSOs...clarinet shaped objects
REMMS ...Resident Expert Mouthpiece Makers.
A woodworkers bulletin board has SWMBO....She who must be obeyed (refering to the person who will not let you buy yet another power tool)
This could be the start of something. FWIW
And please do not suggest BM for barrel mavens.
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2005-12-13 15:24
I've refaced many dozens of mouthpieces having such 'steps'; on most of them I sanded the step away, but on some I didn't. I have never observed any effects of the presence or absence of the step --- the facing curve is by far the biggest determinant of how the mouthpiece plays, followed to a much smaller degree by other details of the interior dimensions. The 'step' where the baffle meets the bore is a very minor factor, if at all.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Brad Behn
Date: 2005-12-14 16:54
The "step" can be the result of reaming the bore. When the craftsman reams a little deeper than the end of the exhisting bore, the ball end of the reamer actually digs into the lower baffle/floor of the chamber and creates a little divot.
I have seen some older mouthpieces (usually Buffet) that had a very high baffle and a big step into the bore.
Usually a well made mouthpiece from a mold does not have the step, but mouthpieces that were machined from rod rubber sometimes had a slight step.
A well made mouthpiece is one that is has a smooth transition between the baffle/floor and the bore. It should look and sound beautiful.
Brad Behn,
<www.behnmouthpieces.com>
Brad Behn
http://www.clarinetmouthpiece.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
