 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: claricat
Date: 2000-09-11 15:02
I am currently trying out several mouthpieces & ligatures from catalogs, but just had a metal inverted ligature scratch one of the mouthpieces (on the top, where the screws are). I used a mp patch on the part where my teeth go, but now (too late) I realize that I should've put a patch (or tape) where the ligature goes also. Fortunately the scratched mouthpiece was my favorite so far in my trials, since now I'll probably be forced to keep it, but my question is:
Will the scratches in that particular area affect the performance of the mouthpiece at all?
I suppose that bite marks where the teeth go affect the mouthpiece more than ligature scratches would?
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Author: larry
Date: 2000-09-11 16:04
I would think that any scratch or dent that didn't affect the air column (inside the mouthpiece chamber) or vibration of the reed (at the tip, side rails or facing) would have absolutely no effect on sound or performance. Even tooth marks shouldn't be a problem, unless the mouthpiece was so degraded that it became uncomfortable to play. I think patches are primarily for comfort (though I don't use them and may be mistaken - I find them uncomfortable).
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Author: Nate Zeien
Date: 2000-09-11 17:37
Claricat, Larry is 100% correct, unless you do serious damage to the facing or inside of the mouthpiece, there is no effect on the sound. The tape or mouthpiece patch in between the lig and mouthpiece will, however, effect the sound. As far as using mouthpiece patches goes, it depends on your personal preference. They can help protect from wear on the mouthpiece from your teeth, but if it is uncomfortable, and adversely effects your performance, it's probably not worth it. I very much recomend using a mouthpiece patch with a crystal mouthpiece. The mouthpiece is harder that your teeth, and you could do damage to your teeth if you're not careful. -- Nate Zeien
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Author: Paul Lester
Date: 2000-09-11 18:28
Hi Claricat;
Sounds like you were bitten by the Bonade Lig bug?
I finally got my Bonade lig burnished/ground so that it doesn't damage the top of the MP.
Cheers,
Paul
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Author: Lelia
Date: 2000-09-11 21:38
Unless you've got jaws like a velociraptor's and bite clean through the beak, those marks on the outside can't affect the shape of the column of air on the inside. When I buy a used clarinet with an old mouthpiece, usually it will have some bite marks. The grooves are never in the right places for my teeth, and the thought of some stranger's chompers kind of grosses me out, too, so I've started covering up the gnawed place with a mouthpiece patch. The ligature scratches look ugly and make the merchandise look "used", but the damage seems purely cosmetic.
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