The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: NBeaty
Date: 2009-03-02 22:14
I was wondering if anyone knows a safe and efficient way to get a vintage mouthpiece (Bonade Clarity) that has turned light brown back to black?
Or is it possible?
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Author: redwine
Date: 2009-03-03 00:29
Hello,
Just take some olive oil and gently rub it into the mouthpiece with your hands.
Ben Redwine, DMA
owner, RJ Music Group
Assistant Professor, The Catholic University of America
Selmer Paris artist
www.rjmusicgroup.com
www.redwinejazz.com
www.reedwizard.com
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Author: NBeaty
Date: 2009-03-03 02:46
Do you know why this works, by any chance?
Thanks Ben,
-Nathan
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Author: redwine
Date: 2009-03-03 11:22
Hello,
I have no idea why it works, just that it works. Maybe the Doctor can chime in with some chemistry answer, or, maybe the oil just cosmetically changes the color.
Ben Redwine, DMA
owner, RJ Music Group
Assistant Professor, The Catholic University of America
Selmer Paris artist
www.rjmusicgroup.com
www.redwinejazz.com
www.reedwizard.com
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Author: L. Omar Henderson
Date: 2009-03-03 13:20
It is a cosmetic light trick. Shiny surfaces reflect more light and appear darker. The "real" brown color does not change because the sulfur from the mouthpiece has formed colored brown compounds which have to chemically changed to black, removed by abrasive buffing, or you can just enjoy a vintage mouthpiece in brown.
L. Omar Henderson
www.doctorsprod.com
Post Edited (2009-03-03 13:24)
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Author: Vytas
Date: 2009-03-03 15:05
redwine wrote:
"I have no idea why it works, just that it works"
Actually, it doesn't work at all. As soon as you clean the oil off the surface the color will be the same as before. The oil doesn't not change the color, it just gives an illusion as the doctor described.
To remove the sulfur by abrasive buffing is not good idea either. It removes substantial amount of material. The light markings like "Qualite Superieure", ligature lines etc. will be gone and you do not want that. Any mouthpiece cleaners containing chlorine shouldn't be used at all.
Vytas Krass
Custom clarinet mouthpiece maker
Professional clarinet technician
Former professional clarinet player
Post Edited (2009-03-03 15:24)
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2009-03-03 15:48
Why bother?
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
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Author: BobD
Date: 2009-03-03 17:18
The olive oil thing isn't all that bad an idea. It's good for your health, good for your lips and you'll find that you will be able to play all the Rossini music better. And...being a natural product it might be good for your corks too.
Bob Draznik
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Author: NBeaty
Date: 2009-03-03 21:03
Thanks for all the information. The mouthpiece simply calls a lot of attention to itself due to its brown color (more-so than any other piece I've seen).
I'm planning on having it refaced, as I've been told it does have potential to be a good player. As it looks now, it would attract a lot of attention. I'd prefer to have people comment about my playing than explain why the mouthpiece isn't black. =)
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Author: BobD
Date: 2009-03-04 10:36
N: afraid I don't understand your logic....but,hey, it's your gig.
Bob Draznik
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Author: NBeaty
Date: 2009-03-04 19:07
I should have said "I would rather have people comment on my playing than ask questions about the color of my mouthpiece". Does that clarify?
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2009-03-04 20:09
One of the very best players that I know has a greenish grungy mouthpiece. No one ever questions it....but they definitely would want that players' ability.
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
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Author: L. Omar Henderson
Date: 2009-03-05 00:38
Yes, several know the tricks of turning brown or green to black without harming the MP but Vytas does the most wonderful job of re-etching logos and scrollwork and does the finest polishing jobs that I have seen.
L. Omar Henderson
www.doctorsprod.com
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