 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: clari-hack
Date: 2008-01-20 17:46
Hi All:
I am in the process of buying some Wells clarinet mouthpieces from a retired player.
He has two for sale
The first is a B2 which I like quite a bit.
The second one, which has no markings, but is quite well-worn really caught my eye, because its window was so unusually shaped. I would describe it as a key slot or key hole. The side walls on in the inside of both of these mouthpiece intrude quite a bit making for a pretty narrow wind-way.
This thing flat out sings. It is sooo warm and velvety, and the warmth continues from the lowest and softest notes to the highest. It doesn't get coarse as I increase volume. It is fairly resistant (compared to my Ithaca Bay) and pretty reed finicky.
Anyone else playing on these keyhole window Wells mouthpieces? When were they made? What is the approximate value?
Anyone have the same answers regarding the B2?
Thanks in advance,
Steve
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Author: clari-hack
Date: 2008-01-20 19:31
YES! The one on the right looks like the Wells that I have where I described a "keyhole window". If mine has a similar window, does that mean it's a B1? I cannot find a marking on the 'piece .
Steve
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Author: ghuba
Date: 2008-01-22 03:14
Steve, The B1 Wells I have -- which is my favorite mouthpiece, closely followed by a "jazz" Kaspar design from Walter Grabner -- does not have a model marking on it but does match the picture of the B1 posted by Bill Fogle. I am in the process of asking a modern maker of mouthpieces (Ben Redwine) to look at the Wells and see how he might replicate or improve upon the design. The Wells seems to work well with Canyes Xilema reeds available from Redwine or several other suppliers. The Wells seems to work especially well on older Selmer clarinets, especially the big-bore models (K, Series 9, BT, CT). George
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Author: Ed Svoboda
Date: 2008-01-22 20:37
I rather like the Wells B2 that I picked up earlier this year. Like George I have found that it works well on my big bore clarinets.
www.woodwindforum.com/forums
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2008-01-23 02:32
On the picture I had on the earlier thread, the keyhole design MP on the right does not have a marking and it says only Wells. All my other Wells MPs are the SWS B2 and have all three names in the oval.
As far as which of my MPs plays best, there is one I have that plays well with Buffet, Selmer, and LeBlanc clarinets. The others are hit and miss. On my Yamaha CS Custom, all of the the SWS and the Wells play great. It's pretty amazing.
As a point of reference, I'm a doubler and play a Portnoy BP02 when not playing a SWS. On saxes, I tend to much more open MPs.
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2008-01-23 13:15
George,
I am very interested in seeing what Redwine comes up with that mimics the SWS. I play the B2 and would like to find a contemporary MP that might be a good replacement (I am always a bit paranoid about dropping one).
HRL
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2008-01-23 14:46
Hi - Hank, I'm currently trying out 5 of Ben's "finest" ranging from tips of .98 to 1.22, and like the 1.15 and 1.22 best [for me] for band and jazz. My memories of my Wells B2, are too close, perhaps too short? Ben, are you making a "keyhole" windcut mp ala Well's Expired patent ?? With wider tips, I also go for softer reeds 2 [VD], 2 1/2 [others], back sanded, which cover what playing ranges I encounter adequately. As to dropping mps, I play Pomarico glasses on bass and alto, being VERY careful. Luck, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: Bill
Date: 2008-01-23 20:29
I had a Wells B1 with the keyhole slot (since sold). I still have several Wells here (including a SWS), and I recall someone saying that at one time a player in Chicago was hard pressed to decide between a Wells or a Kaspar.
I was surprised to read that you found the Wells "velvety" or "warm," as my experience has been just the opposite. For me they are geese of the vintage clarinet mouthpieces, with an absolutely "pure" tone quality that articulates so perfectly, responds so easily ... and has a razor-edge sound, at worst "cutting" and at best "singing."
I think they are fine mouthpieces that deserve to be hoarded and cherished, but they have a solund that takes some getting used to and is deplorably (and I might add, wonderfully) out of vogue today.
Bill.
Bill Fogle
Ellsworth, Maine
(formerly Washington, DC)
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Author: Bill
Date: 2008-01-23 20:32
Would add that my impression is the "keyhole" design was not earlier than the regular slot design. -Bill.
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