 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Bill
Date: 2007-03-29 12:02
Why does summer follow spring? In the same category, why are some vintage mouthpieces just angled too "high" and narrow for the tips of standard reeds?
It doesn't appear to be an indicator of age at all. I've had "identical" pieces (Selmer crystals and Sumner 'Acousticuts' come to mind) that surely are from the same time period, and one would have the "normal" tip and the other would have the narrow, high tip rail. You can make them play, of course, but then you get into having dedicated reeds for specific mouthpieces ... I tried that, but reeds just don't give you much room for making notes on them.
I just got an old Leblanc 2V crystal with one of these tips. ARGH!
Bill.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2007-03-29 15:49
Put a sheet of 400 black-coat sandpaper on a hard, flat surface (preferably glass) and take down the sides of the reed until it fits, always pulling toward the butt.
Kalmen Opperman taught me that the reed should be slightly narrower than the mouthpiece -- maybe a tenth of a millimeter -- so that you can jog the reed from side to side in microscopic amounts to find the spot where it plays best. This makes a very dramatic difference.
Kal also has made a miniature plane, slightly less elaborate than the ones shown here http://www.hartvilletool.com/product/11421 and here http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&cat=1,41182&p=50232, with which you take down the sides of the reed, cutting from the tip to the back.
A razor blade plane is much less expensive and would probably also work http://www.hobbylinc.com/prods/ra_mas.htm
Ken Shaw
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Author: Brad Behn
Date: 2007-03-29 16:05
Bill Two thoughts come to mind. First, quality control was and is an issue. It is very difficult to make mouthpieces beautiful and the tip is one of the most challenging areas. To make the transition from side rail to upper baffle to tip rail all intersect perfectly requires skill patience and willingness by the “maker.” Second, I have found that old vintage mouthpieces had a variety of window widths and lengths. This is a result of many different influences but one of them was the width of the reeds made back then were narrower than many commonly used modern brands. Additionally, the width of the window greatly influences resistance and hold. I believe the makers of old mouthpieces typically made mouthpieces with narrower windows than what is typical today because people played lighter reeds and needed a little more impedance (as influenced by the narrower window) to create their desired sound and feel. As example, look at a modern B40 and compare it against a French made Bundy blank from the 60’s and it becomes quite apparent. On the other hand, I do wish some of the old beautiful Chedevilles from the thirties didn’t have such large chambers and windows. They tended to blow too free (to my taste) and lacked some intensity of resonance as a result. So please take my above statements lightly as there are no rules, just generalities.
A beautifully shaped tip rail and window are crucial. Just like playing on a balanced reed is typically a great improvement over a reed that has a heavy side or a chip or a crack, well if the mouthpiece has a tip rail that is poorly crafted, it can reduce response and reduce tonal efficiency.
Brad Behn
http://www.clarinetmouthpiece.com
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Author: Bill
Date: 2007-03-29 21:24
Thanks. Yes, I always remember what Ken S. wrote about the reed needing to be slightly narrower than the mouthpiece tip. It has been very helpful advice for me in the year or so since I first read it.
Of course, I can adjust my reed(s) to fit these rather odd mouthpieces, but, in general, my observation has been that some of these old mouthpieces were shaped this way, and others were not. Apparently from the same time period/era. Brad's idea about quality control would seem to explain that. I had two "identical" Selmer HS** crystals that just couldn't have been more than a few years apart in manufacture. I ended up selling the one because the tip just didn't fit my reeds (the other is fine, a "modern" style tip rail). I have a very, very beautifully refaced HS* "table" mouthpiece done to colorful perfection by Terry Guidetti, and I use it so infrequently because of the reed issues involved. Too much of a hassle.
Sad.
Bill.
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