 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: willow129q
Date: 2009-06-13 21:30
So I'm in the market for a new mouthpiece, but there aren't any stores near me, or really anywhere in my state that I know of that would be good for trying out different mouthpieces. (I live in Vermont)
I've heard that online you can have stores send you trial mouthpieces, I was wondering how this works, what are some sites people suggest I look at, and other various bits of advice anyone might have.
thank you! :-)
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Author: Sambo 933
Date: 2009-06-13 21:41
muncy winds is a good site a know of. you can order about 4 mp's at a time and try them for 2 weeks for like five bucks each plus shipping and handling.
they are very strict about any damage to the mp's though, so just play them enough to determine if you they work well for you and if you want to bye one or not, and be very careful not to leave any teeth marks in them. i imagine that where ever you go you will be met by similar policies.
this is the best website i have found for trying out mp's/instruments.
http://www.muncywinds.com/
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2009-06-13 22:03
Both Muncy and Woodwind and Brasswind have liberal trial policies. In both cases, damages to mouthpieces prevent you from returning them for credit, and they are considered sold. In order to avoid damaging the pieces, try the following:
Use black electrical tape on the beak to protect against teeth marks. It wouldn't hurt to do trhe same over the manufacturer's logos, too.
Use only a string or fabric ligature; metal ligs can scratch a mouthpiece.
If you have to put a cap over the mouthpiece during the trial, make sure it's a plastic one. Metal caps can scratch the mouthpieces.
I would discuss the types of mouthpieces best suited for you with an instructor, if you are taking lessons. I know my daughter's teacher has dozens of samples he keeps for his students to try, and when they find the ideal fit, the student orders one from a vendor. He saved her a lot of money this way, as she ended up discovering that the standard Vandoren M13 was best suited to her playing.
You could also contact some of the better makers for advice: Walter Grabner, Greg Smith, Clark Fobes, Brad Behn and Richard Hawkins are all very helpful when speaking with prospective customers. Several of these folks advertise here on the clarinet board. Check the headings on the right for MOUTHPIECES & BARRELS.
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Author: Iceland clarinet
Date: 2009-06-13 22:19
Well in your situation were you can't try a lot of pieces I would suggest you talk to your teacher(if you have one) or some professional players around you and ask them what they are playing and why they like it.It might be from some of the custom makers such as Grabner,Lomax,Behn,Smith,Hawkins etc. Then you could give one of them a call and they would help you in your selection and narrow it down to maybe 1 or 2 models and then they would send you 2-4 pieces to try that would be a little varied so say you would get K14 or K13 from Grabner he would make sure that you get one little bit closer k14 and one that is a tiny bit more open so you would have something to choose from rather than just get something from a retailer. Some like a little bit more highs in the sound and some like it more round and covered. You could also even discuss the resistance feel you would like with your mouthpiece and so on and so on.
This way it's less expensive in the end result and your trial of pieces will be more focussed since you have something from a maker who knows his own pieces and can recommend you what to try and will send you based on your communication. Even some makers like Behn and Smith like to do business this way since the result will always be better.
I live in Iceland were we have no mouthpiece makers living here and the selection in music store is mainly Vandoren so if I get the change to go to maybe Howarth of London I will use it to see how the of each maker has to offer but I barely get that change so I stick with the maker I know and trust try to communicate with him over email to get the best result rather than just get any 6 pieces on a trial from some retailer(done that once with not so good result).
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Author: willow129q
Date: 2009-06-13 22:50
Thanks for the advice!
Hmm well I do have a teacher, but here's my story: She's a classical clarinetist period. And I'm looking for a mouthpiece that would be good for folk music - specifically contra dance music/fiddle music (maybe a little random I know but it's sooo much fun! :-) ) I know of one clarinetist in the area who plays for contra dances and she uses a Vandoren JB 5 so that's definitely something I would like to try out. My other problem is that, having played mostly classical music up until now, I think it's hard to get accustomed to the sound of more open mouthpieces, but I know that my Vandoren M13 isn't quite cutting it tonewise haha. I tried out a few "Jazz" mouthpieces that someone nearby was selling but...well two of them weren't great, and the one I liked was still veryvery bright for me (and also veryvery expensive haha) It was a Buffet mouthpiece.
Hmmmm this is going to be hard I think. I just don't know a lot about different brands...I realize the best thing to do is to just try stuff out, but since my teacher doesn't really play in this style and I only know two other people - one just recently discovered - who do........little overwhelming! haha :-)
Does anyone here know of clarinetists who play fiddle music/for contra dances? By any remote chance?
Also I notice that Muncy doesn't have any JB 5s for sale (or anyways I can't find them), but I'll look into the other sites.
thanks sooo much for the suggestions!! :-D
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Author: cxgreen48
Date: 2009-06-14 01:32
I've had really good experiences buying from weinermusic. Make sure to follow the mouthpiece trial policies, of course.
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Author: willow129q
Date: 2009-06-17 02:11
Ok. So this is probably a dumb question, but I emailed Muncywinds and waited a few days and still haven't gotten reply - so! being of the impatient generation......I'm going to ask you all
I've found the mouthpiece I would like to try out. I've read the rules and regulations page so I understand what happens and all that and I know what not to do, but none of these pages actually say HOW you go about ordering trial equipment. I see no options on the checkout pages...unless I'm missing something. So, do I just email them all the information? :-/
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Author: willow129q
Date: 2009-06-17 02:43
I suppooose haha
that was 3rd or 4th on my list of possible options, after complaining and moping of course...I suppose I could bump it up one :-)
okedoke! well just thought I'd check,
thanks, and sorry for any silly questions
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Author: weberfan
Date: 2009-06-17 02:55
Judging by your ISP, you would be in western Vermont, about midway between Rutland and Burlington. Why not contact the music departments at either Middlebury College or the University of Vermont?
A clarinetist named Steve Klimowski teaches at both schools, and I'm sure the departments there would respond. UVM also has connections to the Vermont Symphony Orchestra. You might try the VSO as well.
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Author: willow129q
Date: 2009-06-17 03:03
I've heard of Steve Klimowsky actually
you think I should contact him to see if he might have the mouthpiece I want to try?
I might do that - I actually pretty much live in Middlebury :-) lovely place - but I suspect he's mostly a classical musician like my teacher...I don't know if he could give me much advice
but in any case he probably would be a good contact to have :-)
thanks for the idea!
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Author: George Taylor
Date: 2009-06-17 10:24
I've taken a few mouthpieces from Howarths on approval and quite a few friends in the USA and Japan have also done the same. They seem to ask for full payment (with a full refund if returned) if the mouthpieces are going overseas, but only for postage and insurance if staying in the UK. My friends in Japan have had four or five parcels sent to them this way. They say it is only the only way they can get the boutique makers like Grabner, Fobes, Smith etc, without going ot the individual makers. Full payment is a little extreme, but at least they do it...
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Author: oliver sudden
Date: 2009-06-17 19:01
I've ordered scads of stuff from Howarth's and will continue to do so - not only great service but the best way for me to try stuff from non-Euro makers without paying import duties on things I might not end up buying. I don't mind lending them a few £ for a few days for that privilege. There's certainly nowhere in Germany with a remotely comparable selection of French-system gear - I suspect there isn't even anywhere in France since the Poms have much more of an idea what the US is up to on the gear front.
(And I have some £ sitting in a bank account from when I used to teach in London - which I want to spend in the UK, what with the £ being rather flaccid against the € nowadays...)
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Author: weberfan
Date: 2009-06-17 19:27
From what I know, Klimowski is interested in new music, as well as classical. For that reason, I suspect he might be knowledgeable about others forms of music as well, including what interests you.
Yes, do contact him. Or try someone in the two music departments to get leads on others who might provide advice.
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Author: khoexter
Date: 2009-06-17 21:32
Mike Lomax is another good option for mouthpiedes and of course there is always Morrie Backun. Muncy Winds and Woodwind Brasswind has always treated me well. I usually call and have found them to be very generous with their trial / return policies.
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Author: pplateau
Date: 2009-06-19 02:01
I very much like David McClune mp's; he has a student model now I think also; he is very helpful; just google Mcclune Mouthpiece Service;
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