The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: William
Date: 2008-11-09 17:16
Just finished audioning a Pomarico "jazz*" crystal bass clarinet mpc and my initial reaction is simply, "WOW". Articulation of those "problem" G#5 & A5 notes is effortless--no more difficult than any other note within that range. Even the higher C#6 and above responds much easier and more fluently--almost like playing my soprano Bb. A full sound from the "top to bottom" of my clarinet. I'm going to give it a try in this afternoons wind ensemble rehearsal during Verdi's "La Forza Del Destino" overture and see how it fits in with the groups sound. Just wanted to share my first impressions........
BTW, a companion Pomarico "jazz**" did not perform as well. Both mpcies auditioned with same Winslow ligature and Legere #3.0 reed on my Buffet Prestege low C bass.
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Author: William
Date: 2008-11-11 15:45
Update from last Sunday's "test drive" of the Pomarico "jazz" during our Madison Wind Ensemble rehearsal. In short, I'm sold on it, if for no other reason, articulation and legato slur problems envolving the G#5 & A5 notes were mostly elimated. I was able to attack isolated A5 staccato notes cleanly, as well as many low G3 staccato notes at FF levels that often had a tendacy to "chirp" on my old mouthpiece. The Pomarico does have a little more resistance than my Grabner CXBS and I think that may have a lot to do with the improved articulative repsonse in all registers. And in spite of the fact that it is called a "jazz" mouthpiece, the quality of sound is equal to any "classical" mouthpiece I have played and puts out all the sound necessary to be heard--even if the ensemble is playing at FF levels. I also noticed much better control of tuning from F to PP levels and being able to sustain a focused sound at PP. The only "drawback", being crystal, it is much heavier on the instrument--and, I will have to be extra careful not to let gravity have its way.
I am going to use it in our ensembles upcoming performance in the University of Wisconsin Mills Concert Hall this coming Sunday afternoon. Sort of like in "The Music Man", I'm the "one and only bass (clarinet)"--LOL.
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Author: Arnoldstang
Date: 2008-11-11 17:01
I purchased a Pomarico crystal bass mouthpiece from Muncy Winds and sent it directly to David Spiegelthal to reface. He did a great job. It's a full rich sound. I think it was a number 2 facing to start with.
Freelance woodwind performer
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Author: Tony Beck
Date: 2008-11-12 15:20
I too recently picked up a Dave S refaced Pomarico, this one for an Eb. I thought it sounded a little too dark, but both my stand mate and our director have commented favorably on the new sound. It is a little more resistive than the NY Woodwind Co. I had been playing, but it has excellent response and articulation.
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