 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: DAVE
Date: 2007-11-12 04:06
Hey guys,
A friend of mine just bought a clarinet from a lady the other day and in the case were two, yes TWO Kaspar 16s. They are original and not refaced. The have the Chicago stamp. He is going to let me try them and give me one of them. (Nicest guy in the world, really!) So here are my questions:
1) What reed would you suggest trying on this?
2) If the tip opening is 116, can I expect to find a medium length lay of 34 or will it be longer like on a M30?
3) About what year were these mouthpieces made? I will post pics if needed when I get the mouthpieces.
I have tools to measure and will be able to tell if they are warped. If so, I can get them refaced.
thanks.
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Author: Chetclarinet
Date: 2007-11-12 14:02
The Kaspar 16, if it is Frank Kaspar and not Frank L. Kaspar , and if the stamp is on the middle of the back dates from 1950-62. If the stamp is on the bottom, the mouthpiece dates from the 1940's. The 16 facing is medium open, will work fine on Vandoren 3, 3/12 reeds if the mouthpiece facing is in good shape. The value of this great mouthpiece, in original condition is much higher with the original facing. However, I play one that has been refaced because of response problems, and it is my best Kaspar. Chicago Kaspar mouthpieces have in general, a slightly deeper baffle than the later Cicero models.
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Author: DAVE
Date: 2007-11-12 15:41
Pretty sure it just says Frank Kaspar. The lady said she bought the Buffet clarinet from Carl Fischer in chicago in 1955. Is it possible that Kaspar mouthpieces were available at CF?
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Author: C2thew
Date: 2007-11-12 22:43
holy moly, nice score. =)
Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys, which distract our attention from serious things. they are but improved means to an unimproved end, an end which was already but too easy to arrive as railroads lead to Boston to New York
-Walden; Henry Thoreau
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Author: Mary Jo
Date: 2007-11-12 23:14
I believe I have the same mouthpiece, only the alto sax version. It has the Frank Kaspar, Chicago, emblem on lower portion of back; the number 16 on the side.
It cost $117 on EBay a few years ago and is my best alto piece, easy to play and rich, dark tone.
You have a wonderful friend to give you a clarinet Kaspar you get to handpick.
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Author: DAVE
Date: 2007-11-21 04:39
Well I have the mouthpiece now and after playing a variety of reeds I think I have settled on vandoren blue box 3s. The stamp is on the lower portion below the ligature lines and says Frank Kaspar Co. Chicago. It is very shiny and does not look like the Chedevilles I have seen before. Interestingly it also has a chunk scooped out where the baffle meets the chamber. It is in perfect condition and plays with a different kind of sound. It is nothing at all like my other mouthpieces that are so called copies of a Kaspar.
Also, when in Chicago I went to see Rick Sayre to try some other mouthpieces. His mouthpieces were very good. I asked him if he was amused at all the fuss made over the Kaspar mouthpieces and he said yes and that "Mr. Kaspar would be amazed and maybe a little embarrassed. He never sold a mouthpiece for over 40 dollars and felt guilty at that!" And I also clarified which of the two Kaspars he worked with and he told me it was the Cicero Kaspar. He called him the assistant!
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Author: Ryan25
Date: 2007-11-21 13:41
I have a Sayre mouthpiece and it is beautiful. It's one of my two primary mouthpieces along with a superb Hawkins. Rick was nice enough to sit with me and customize it for my playing style. I have also had the conversation with him about the price and "legend" of Kaspars. It's a shame he does not make mouthpieces more than he does because they are really superb. He uses Zinner blanks but has also made some on Babbit blanks. Mine happens to be a Babbit and it has a lot of ring and projection in the sound.
Rick also happens to be a superb tech. The work he has done on my instruments is top notch. It will be a sad day when I leave Chicago land because that means no more Rick Sayre.
Post Edited (2007-11-21 14:00)
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Author: DAVE
Date: 2007-11-23 22:38
Hey Campbell! Nice meeting you the other day. LOL on the 4.5s! You sounded great on them!
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