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Having fun in Utah

Author: Sylvain
Date: 2006-01-13 21:48

I had to go to Salt Lake City for work and the day before I left I discovered that only one but two respected mouthpiece makers live there. I checked the bank account and called Brad Behn and Lee Livengood.

I just want to give them kudos, as I had the most pleasing experience with both of them.

Lee had a few zinners and a couple Chadash Hill that he faced and I found one of each that I really liked. I think I will keep the zinner as I already own a CH nicely faced by Chris Hill. The zinner has a nice dark tone and is very easy to play.

I then met Brad Behn who had lent me a full rack of hand faced zinners, he then finely refaced one for me. What I liked best about my interaction with him was the interaction process. He asks you to express in detailed terms what you like and don't like about the faing and he makes adjustments accordingly. I went from playing a very good mouthpiece to something that felt *very* comfortable. I tried a few of his vintage, but my wallet isn't quite deep enough for these. I think he is onto something with these blanks.

Both Zinners sound and feel very similar and I will most likely keep both an play whichever feels best on a given day/reed.

Lee and Brad both let me bring the mouthpieces home to try and have been very accomodating. We met on a sunday and I was surprised they would find the time for me.
Highly recommended.

The only downside, playing at a mile high when you live at sea level is not a fun experience!

--
Sylvain Bouix <sbouix@gmail.com>

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Re: Having fun in Utah

Author: Stewie Griffin
Date: 2006-01-16 18:07

So, did you choose the Chedeville style or Kaspar?

How did they compare to your old mouthpieces (what were your former mouthpieces, anyway?)?
How do the C-H compare?
How much did they cost?
How would you describe your new mouthpieces?

And on top of that, how would Islamey by Balakirev sound on clarinet? [tongue]

Thanks.

Post Edited (2006-01-16 18:22)

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Re: Having fun in Utah

Author: Sylvain
Date: 2006-01-16 20:05

Stewie,
Here is the rundown:
I have played M15, M13Lyre and CH face by Chris Hill (104tip 36 length)
I like the M13Lyre best for feel and CH best for sound (feel a little too resistant).

I like focused and colorful more than sweet and dark, but I am not *that* picky.

I play VD #3 or 3.5 regular on the M13Lyre, V12 #4 on teh M15 and Rico Evolution 3.5 on the CH. I think I like close tip mouthpiece (101ish) with a medium to medium-long facing. mouthpiece makers tell me I also like a slight concavity in the table.

I brought softer reeds VD regular #3 to cope with altitude and also because I forgot my Rico (duh!) I am now back at sea level and I can tell you a bit more about them.

Lee Livengood's:
Tried a Zinner blank with a regular VD #3, sounded darker than what I am used to but not unpleasant, very easy to play quite reed friendly and very even across the scale. I like it very much and will keep it. $150
Tried a CH blank which he tuned up a a bit for me. It is significantly brighter and maybe sounds cleaner, crisper articulation. It felt and sounded great in Utah but feels weird here. Will not keep. $225.

Brad Behn's:
Told him I did not want to buy the new vintage collection but absolutely wanted to try them.
Tried a dozen zinner blanks had one touched up for me. It is the mos comfortable mouthpiece I have ever played. He told me it is his Ched artist deisgn (ZInner blank). The sound is on the dark side, but it is so easy to play I am willing to sacrifice a bit of focus for more comfort. Will most defintey keep. $175
Vintage Blanks: I liked the Ched design best, it is more focused and a little brighter than the Kaspar. They both sounded better than the Zinner, but the facing he brought were not good for me and he was not going to touch them knowing I wasn't purchasing. I think they are $650, but I am not certain.

Why didn't I buy the Vintage collection? First, i can;t afford it. Second, I am sort of new to this mouthpiece hunt and I want to figure out what suits me best in terms of facing, feel and sound before I invest in such costly equipment.

Bottom line, the Behn is becoming my main mouthpiece with Lee's a backup. They feel and sound similar and they will make straight into my clarinet case.

I am waiting for Chris Hill to touch up my CH and i will let you knwo how it goes if I anybody is interested.

My only advice, meet the refacer, it is so beneficial to directly interact as you can tell them how you feel and they can hear what their adjustment do to your playing.

--
Sylvain Bouix <sbouix@gmail.com>

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