 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Aussie Nick
Date: 2006-05-06 08:47
I have today tried a large number of Lomax mouthpieces as my friend is an agent for Lomax. I chose one I liked, and wish to try it more before I pay, but as I got home and looked more closely at it I noticed a few things. The back of the mouthpiece (where the teeth patch goes) slants down more to the left side making it seem crocked or something? Its definitely not symetrical. Also, the left rail is a little wider than the right rail. I need to try it some more, but is this going to cause problems?
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Author: Chris Hill
Date: 2006-05-06 12:42
If it plays well, I wouldn't worry about it. If someone were to "fix the problems," it may not play as well.
Chris
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Author: Aussie Nick
Date: 2006-05-06 13:36
I'm deciding whether to hang on to it, or to ask him to order more of the same model and return this one.
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Author: David Peacham
Date: 2006-05-06 15:18
Are you sure this asymmetry isn't deliberate? Elsewhere on this board there has been talk about Vandoren mouthpieces being asymmetric, though the claim was that the difference was in the length of the rails, not their thickness. If I recall correctly, this was supposed to correct in some way for the player's tendency to rotate the instrument. Supposedly, their reeds are asymmetric too. Sounds like mumbo-jumbo to me, but maybe Lomax believe it.
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If there are so many people on this board unwilling or unable to have a civil and balanced discussion about important issues, then I shan't bother to post here any more.
To the great relief of many of you, no doubt.
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2006-05-06 15:23
I'd start with a symmetrical piece. I'd also be skeptical of a company that builds crooked parts --particularly if they don't do it on purpose --in which case they'd probably have a patent on the crookedness and make some advertising claims for it.
Bob Phillips
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Author: Gregory Smith ★2017
Date: 2006-05-06 15:25
If I understand your question correctly, if any beak is not symmetrical, I would determine that it was defective - especially if it appears on only one mouthpiece.
If it is a problem on all of the mouthpieces, then the way that the top teeth exert pressure, in turn changing the perfect pressure point at the interface between bottom teeth/lip and reed, will be entirely different (ie. more lip pressure on the left or right than in the center).
Down the road this may cause problems with consistency of reed selection and, when or if changing mthpcs later on, will need to be re-adapted to.
The side rails and tip rail should be symmetrical but if it still plays with one side rail slightly wider than the other, that's all that matters. An asymmetric tip rail is a little more problematic in terms of consistent response. But if it plays....
Gregory Smith
Post Edited (2006-05-06 16:50)
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Author: Fontalvo
Date: 2006-05-06 16:21
Hello,
Personally these mouthpieces worked good for me for a while until I tried something else. I don't like the fact that you cant find good reeds for these mouthpieces and they always seem to buzz. I own a very early model and I like it a little better than the older model. I think the one that I have is number 29 or 31. They worked for me but now that I switched to a M15 they seem to work much better.
Lomax is always willing to help though. So if you want to go to his shop and try some and work with him. He will probably be up to it.
IMHO
Rafael
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2006-05-06 17:42
Lomax mouthpieces are pretty much unknown here as far as I know, but a friend of mine won one in a competition. I tried it and it is absolutely excellent! I will see her tomorrow and can check if it is symetrical or not.
I've tried it with the same reeds I use with my mouthpiece, which are V12 strength 3 - the sound was beautiful, the reed felt a little soft, but it felt like the V12 reeds work very good with this mouthpiece.
"If it is a problem on all of the mouthpieces, then the way that the top teeth exert pressure, in turn changing the perfect pressure point at the interface between bottom teeth/lip and reed, will be entirely different (ie. more lip pressure on the left or right than in the center)."
This assumes the teeth are 100% symetrical, no? I think teeth are never 100% symetrical and most of the time not very close to that at all. For example, I have a middle tooth and not two teeth, which causes me to play with the mouthpiece rotated and not at all straight with the rest of the clarinet.
For example, a non-symetrical mouthpeice back might actually be a real improvement for me!
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Author: Gregory Smith ★2017
Date: 2006-05-06 17:54
clarinibass -
You may be taking my statements much too literally. The terms I use are meant to all be relative in nature.
Perfect pressure point refers to the placement that you are used to. Certainly no one's bottom pressure point is perfectly symmetrical...but whatever it is, it is what has worked for them with a well manufactured symmetrical beak.
Much more often than not, changing that kind of personal symmetry (top jaw to bottom jaw) presents all manner of problems with that individual's "perfect" pressure point, whatever that may be. Rarely if ever is there an improvement when disturbing that major kind of symmetry. In my experience, an improvement from that kind of major change would mean that an incredible amount of luck had been visited upon that particular clarinettist.
Symmetry of something as simple as a facing? Perhaps a less fundamental problem.
Gregory Smith
Post Edited (2006-05-06 17:57)
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Author: Danny Boy
Date: 2006-05-06 21:20
My advice would be to contact Mr Lomax himself through his website. He's extremely helpful and I'm sure would be interested to know that one of his products is causing someone to ask questions.
I have played Lomax mps for the past 3 years, and find it fabulous. One of my students broke my first A4, and after buying a new one I asked Mr Lomax if he'd repair the first as a spare. He's been very friendly (in fact I keep meaning to send it off to him).
Looking at my mouthpiece...it's not as 'perfect' as some mouthpieces I own, but it sure as hell plays better than any of the others.
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Author: Gregory Smith ★2017
Date: 2006-05-06 23:05
Reminds me of a Clarinet conference I attended a few years ago and while visiting a major company mthpc maker's booth listened attentively along with a dozen other clarinettists about the maker's mouthpiece's perfect symmetry and beautiful cosmetic appearance.
One very young chap, apparently unfamiliar with all of the terminology being used and unimpressed with the proceedings innocently and unexpectedly blurted out, "Yes, but how do they play?" at which point even the presenter had to laugh out loud!
Gregory Smith
Post Edited (2006-05-06 23:06)
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Author: Aussie Nick
Date: 2006-05-07 01:38
I've been looking at it over and over and just noticed when you look straight down the centre of the inside of the mouthpiece from the tip, it looks to be on the slightest angle. On examining the rails more, I've noticed (and I hope this make sense!) that the rails are actually quite even in thickness... What is deceiving is that because the whole mouthpiece facing appears to be on a slight angle, the left rail appears to be substancially thicker in measurement, but there is actually a slight curve at the upper end of the left rail. This makes it look thicker, but is actually just a curved angle off the rail. It almost looks like a mini rail off the main rail...if that makes sense. Anyway I'm going to play on it some more and take it to my teacher and decide from there.
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Author: Gregory Smith ★2017
Date: 2006-05-07 06:09
When the mthpc was put onto the holder ready to be faced (on to a post of some kind), it was not properly lined up with the facing machine - it was rotated slightly off-center. That would account for the facing not being level or on the same plane as the rest of the mthpc. The defect was attempted to be made up for with hand filing.
Gregory Smith
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Author: diz
Date: 2006-05-09 05:34
Aussie ... are your front teeth crooked? If so, it might just work for you (tongue in cheek) ... I'm sure they're beautifully white and straight.
Without music, the world would be grey, very grey.
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Author: rbell96
Date: 2006-05-11 21:55
I agree with Dan on the lomax mouthpieces. Mine is only a few serial numbers from his and it is the best mouthpiece i have had by far. The control I can obtain with the mouthpiece is fantastic.
Keep searching through lomax mouthpieces, I am sure you will find one that suits your playing ideally.
Rob
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Author: donald
Date: 2006-05-16 10:29
Aussie Nick, how has this turned out? i just got a mouthpiece back from Mike Lomax that he refaced for me- it was slightly warped (from leting the reed dry out in hot summer weather?). He did a beautiful job and i'm loving playing again after a rocky few weeks of playing the "spares" i've accumulated over the years (and not enjoying it)
donald
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