 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Cathlynn
Date: 2007-04-26 15:03
Is there a way to determine what size/style of mouthpiece I have without a facing mark? I would like to get a back-up mouthpiece for my primary clarinet, a wooden Evette-Schaeffer Modele Buffet-Crampon, serial number B 388. The mouthpiece that came with it is a hard-rubber (?) Malerne, marked in script engraving on one line R. M., next line R. Malerne, next line Paris on the back just above the cork. The only other marks on the mouthpiece are the two ligature guidelines. The clarinet is a smaller bore; the mouthpiece is too small to switch with my other horns. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2007-04-26 17:38
Are you looking then for a mouthpiece that closely resembles the facing of your current mouthpiece (table concavity, curve, length of lay, etc.) because you're comfortable with that mouthpiece?
If that's the case (and you don't have the measurements around due to some internet searching or having the tools), you CAN send your mouthpiece some mouthpiece makers who could measure your mouthpieces dimensions and make a mouthpiece with very VERY similar dimensions. A mouthpiece "copy", if you will.
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Cathlynn
Date: 2007-04-26 17:46
I'm perfectly happy with the mouthpiece, but because of the lack of markings and not even knowing how to accurately measure the mouthpiece I don't have a way to order a similar one. I chiefly want to make sure that I have an appropriately-sized backup in case my current one gets damaged. Catalog mouthpiece descriptions are lacking in enough detail so that I can't even make an educated guess about what mouthpieces would be the correct bore size, and there's no convenient music store for me to experiment. I'm not particularly concerned about an exact match; I'm mainly concerned about finding one that will fit my particular horn in an emergency.
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Author: bufclar
Date: 2007-04-26 19:00
Give Brad Behn a call who is a sponsor here and see if you can send him your mouthpiece for inspection. He is a brilliant artisan and I'm sure could help you find a suitable back up or make you something similar. He is a great guy and incredible to work with.
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Author: Vytas
Date: 2007-04-26 19:47
I just found one of these mouthpieces in a pile of spear parts. This one has 16 mm short facing with the tip opening of 1.01 mm. The blank looks like Chedeville/Lelandais. The beak profile perfectly matches the Bonade "Clarity"/Chedeville mouthpiece. Baffle is high and straight.
Vytas Krass
Professional clarinet technician
Custom clarinet mouthpiece maker
Former professional clarinet player
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Author: Cathlynn
Date: 2007-04-26 20:29
The 1.1 mm tip opening seems right, if I'm measuring correctly. The window is 32 mm from base to tip, the table is about 41.5 mm, the beak is 37 mm, the base of the window is 7.5mm, the width of the window at the widest part is 12 mm. My best effort at the diameter of the joint 22.5 mm. These are all ruler approximates. Are there only two bore sizes for clarinets or are there more?
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Author: Brad Behn
Date: 2007-04-27 14:19
I don't think you will have trouble finding a mouthpiece that works well with your clarinet. Even though many of those older Evette-schaeffer clarinets had slightly smaller bores than current Buffets the differential isn't enough to cause much or any concern. Most likely your clarinet will function with any modern mouthpiece design. Additionally, many refacers or re-manufactures of mouthpiece blanks should be able to give you the personal attention necessary to find a terrific option that has been custom crafted to work with you and your clarinet. Indeed there are many choices out there and that can be scary, but the way I see it the clarinet community is well served by such diversity and you can use your need to find a spare mouthpiece as an opportunity to learn something, grow as a player, and find a setup that works better than before.
The way I see it, there are several factors to consider. First, it is very important to keep in mind your concept of sound and the way you play. There are many different options out there and that is a good thing. The challenge is for you to find the option that works best for you. Second, intonation is very important. If you tend to play flat for instance, you would be better served with a higher playing mouthpiece...or on the other hand, if you tend to play sharp, a lower playing mouthpiece would be a better choice. Many mouthpiece craftsmen offer slightly lower and higher options and Vandoren offers lower playing mouthpieces in their “13” series. Third, the feel of how the mouthpiece responds and works with you to create a stable yet flexible playing experience is very important.
In other words, you are in a good place to find a mouthpiece that works for you. Your equipment is not unusual nor does it require anything unique. I would recommend trying any option/s that interest you and see for yourself. You may be very impressed with what is out there these days and you may find such merit in the current crop of mouthpiece offerings that perhaps you will like them better than your main mouthpiece.
If you decide to have your mouthpiece adjusted, that is possible as well. But it is important that you contact a qualified mouthpiece custom-refacer to do the work. This is highly specialized work and requires someone with a lot of experience as apposed to an instrument repair tech with very little understanding (this is a pet peeve of mine as I have seen far too many mouthpieces ruined by the hobbyist refacer or instrument repair technician with too much conceit).
So, the bottom line is that even though you may have been told that your clarinet has an unusual bore, or a small bore, it should work with any contemporary mouthpiece available today. There are however differences in voicing and intonational characteristics between makers and therefore it would be beneficial for you to try the various offerings to experience for yourself which one/s may work best for your particular tonal concept, playing style, and intonational requirements.
Good luck
Brad Behn
http://www.clarinetmouthpiece.com
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