The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Christina
Date: 2000-06-22 20:55
I was given an old crystal mouthpiece recently which plays beautifully, but i would like to have a normal mouthpiece as a back up (the other mouthpieces i have had just don't cut it) I'm afraid also to use the crystal one all the time cuz i'm afraid of breaking it! =) So i was wondering if anyone has an opinion about the Morgan hand-crafted mouthpiece, and if it would be worth investing in. I had a morgan school model awhile ago, and it was ok but i grew out of it a few years ago, or should I invest in something of a higher quality like Gregory Smith? Thankz, *Christina*
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Author: Lynne
Date: 2000-06-22 21:38
If you are careful and look after your crystal mouthpiece it should last a long time. I've used a Vandoren crystal mouthpiece for nearly 20 years & it's still in excellent condition. Be careful you don't drop it though! I've only dropped mine once (onto carpet flooring) and it didn't smash. Can't comment on the Morgan mouthpieces , I've not actually heard of them. Good luck!
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Author: Bob Gardner
Date: 2000-06-22 23:59
ims says that the Morgan are one of the better mouthpieces on the market. however i would suggest you at least try a smith.
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Author: Hiroshi
Date: 2000-06-23 03:59
I had a Morgan. Its shape was like that of Saxophone's. I think it would be good for people with small mouth such as 12 year old child. It was good.
However, I have never heard of hand-made Morgan. Is there?
As to Greg Smith, you can see what he sells on this BBS's sponser page. Acturally, he sells two blank types:Chedeville type(three tip clearances availble and two wall types (pararrel/angled) available) and Kasper style(one type,and priced higher). I bought both and I like them.
Sounds is firm with good projection and articulation becomes better, I felt.
Two problems:
1)I fell my Cheville style onto the floor. Its tip was broken. (Sorry to myself and Greg.) Yes, even non-crystal mouthpiece has this accident.
2)You might love it too much and forget your crystal one.
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Author: Jesse
Date: 2000-06-23 06:24
I think the Morgans are wonderful! So dark and sweet, and superb control!! I like the shape of the mouthpiece, much like a sax. It fits better, and since I've gotten used to it, other mp's feel awkward in my mouth. I got mine from my teacher for $70, since I was using it already. They run at around $100. Give them a try!
Hiroshi-
I believe that Ralph Morgan hand makes all of his mouthpieces. That's probably why they're so fantastic and really expensive (like most other pro/custom mp's)
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Author: Brent
Date: 2000-06-23 12:42
Ralph does make each or his hard rubber mouthpieces individually in his basement and hand finish each one. As to whether it is the best for you, only you can say. As it has been said many times before, you have to try them and see. Dave Hite makes good mouthpieces as well (my favorite, actually), as does Clark Fobes and a number of others.
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Author: William
Date: 2000-06-23 12:53
My college in the symphony uses a Morgan mp and has a superb sound--I tried a couple and didn't like them. Bottom line--play the mp that works for you, not because they work great for someone else. If you like the crystal, play it!! What good is a BMW parked in your garage because you fear a collision.
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Author: Christina
Date: 2000-06-23 20:33
Thanks for everyones' help about mouthpieces. =) I tried a Morgan last year when looking for mouthpieces because my teacher recommended it, and i liked it. But Ralph Morgan ran away or something and stopped making them for awhile so i never got to get my mouthpiece! But now apparently he's back to making them so i think i'll try it out again. As for the Gregory Smith, does anyone know his website or e-mail address- because i'm thinking about testing them out too, Thankx~ *Christina*
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2000-06-23 22:30
Christina wrote:
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As for the Gregory Smith, does anyone know his website or e-mail address- because i'm thinking about testing them out too,
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Gregory Smith is a sponsor of Sneezy.Org, and can be reached at <b><i><a href=mailto:gregory@gregory-smith.com>gregory@gregory-smith.com</a></i></b> and his Web site is <b><a href=http://www.gregory-smith.com/>http://www.gregory-smith.com</a></b>.
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Author: Brent
Date: 2000-06-26 19:05
But Ralph Morgan ran away or something and stopped making them for awhile so i never got to get my mouthpiece! But now apparently he's back to making them so i think i'll try it out again.
Ralph hasn't quit making mouthpieces at all--he has several people working for him, in fact, doing the preliminary work and also working on some of his other projects. He just sells them as fast as he can make them. He's working on a new saxophone--pretty ambitious, if you ask me, but he has a lot of knowledge gained from Selmer in the Mk6 years...
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