 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Old Geezer
Date: 2010-03-20 18:44
I've recently purchased and am now putting through it's paces a black
crystal mouthpiece. Ordinary transparent crystal mouthpieces look so tacky...black crystal looks wizard!
It has a close tip and a medium lay. It's very easy blowing and the altissimo notes speak without hardly being asked and with some purity, not a whisper of shrillness etc.
Time will tell, but I think it might become number 2 in my preferred mouthpiece queue, Vandoren M13 is no. 1!
"wizard" an anjective meaing incomparable, delightful, etc. from the greatest movie ever made about youthful angst JUNO!
Clarinet Redux
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Author: Brenda ★2017
Date: 2010-03-21 12:47
These DO look great! The "Maison Casset" website shows the Pomarico black crystal mouthpieces in three tip openings: Moon - 1.04, Star - 1.12 and Sun - 1.32.
They're priced in Euros.. plus the shipping.
How did you find out about them before you bought yours?
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Author: dansil
Date: 2010-03-21 13:59
Old Geezer - how much difference does the crystal material make to the sound? I thought that the most critical aspect of the mouthpiece was its dimensions ie tip opening, rail thickness, shape and volume of the cavity and the outgoing bore and that the least important aspect was the material eg ebonite/hard rubber/ceramic/crystal. Also I think that crystal would be less tolerant of abuse and more easily shattered (at great expense) than other materials.
Danny
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Author: ito
Date: 2010-03-21 14:24
Which model of the pomarico black crystal you bought?thanks
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2010-03-21 14:41
To answer Danny,
The funny thing about the standard hard rubber is that the act of having a reed vibrate upon its surface causes it to wear down gradually so that (if you still are playing it that is) in five to ten years, it would need a re-facing to bring it back to the specs it had originally.
This is the "selling point" of the crystal and ceramic materials in that they are resistant to "normal wear and tear." Of course I'd take a well crafted, normal, every day hard rubber over a second rate facing on an impervious material any day.
Pomerico does have a very good reputation and I currently play on one of their ebony models so I have been eager to try one out myself.
Thanks for the review!!!!
................Paul Aviles
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Author: GLHopkins
Date: 2010-03-21 15:50
Maison Tasset at tasset.com has them. So does Musician's Friend in the US. They seem to be reasonably priced.
Are these made of crystal or glass?
Post Edited (2010-03-21 16:02)
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Author: Old Geezer
Date: 2010-03-21 16:34
I bought mine from Musican's Friend, $129.50 shipping free.
I think I heard about them by an e-mail from Pomarico.
I think ordinarily I have a bit bright tone, which I like. The crystal mouthpiece seems to have darkened it a bit, which I like too. Also I've noticed it gives me a flawless break every time, something I don't always have.
It comes in three sizes...I have the "moon" which is the closest tip with a medium lay. They now have an ad page 51 March issue of The Clarinet magazine.
I don't say it's the greatest mouthpiece ever. It's a work in progress for me and I'm having fun with it. Pomarico is now making reeds; I'm going to have to try those! And a wooden mouthpiece too, from someone, somewhere....
Clarinet Redux
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Author: William
Date: 2010-03-21 16:40
I just checked and BrasswindWoodwind has them for $115.00 US. That's where I bought my P. Jazz bass clarinet mpc--they sent me two on approval. Black crystal looks neat, but best to try before you actually buy.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2010-03-22 00:52
I can't see any reason why black crystal would play or feel any differently than clear, assuming the same facing and interior dimensions (never a sure thing with any two mouthpieces!). I guess the black crystal is a smart marketing move by Pomarico to pick up customers who want to play crystal but don't like the look of a clear mouthpiece. Like whitewall tires on a car, it's a matter of style preference.
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Author: Old Geezer
Date: 2010-03-22 02:53
Perhaps the diference between clear crystal and black crystal is like the difference between ordinary rubber and "rod rubber that's specially made with a secret formula!" - as is claimed by some.
One thing is certain in a mouthpiece beauty competion, black crystal would win every time. Also it makes all the other kids jealous!
Clarinet Redux
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Author: William
Date: 2010-03-22 15:24
"I guess the black crystal is a smart marketing move"
Yes, I agree--like why Ford sticks those groooovy looking spoilers on the backs of Mustangs. They don't do any good, but they sure make the car look sporty and increase sales among the gullable........
I think the next big move should be mouthpieces that glow ruby red after warming up. Man, is that cat Hot!!!!!
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2010-03-22 15:38
No, actually the Black Crystal is a unique product with its own facings NOT available in the regular line. The adverstisement touts a "warm" sound; perhaps they also did something to make the baffle deeper.
Clarinet Redux?
..............Paul Aviles
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Author: Old Geezer
Date: 2010-03-22 19:03
Yes, the facing are different...I think to say black produces a warmer sound than the clear crystal seems about right to me.
Warm, cool, bright, dark are really hard qualities to pin down, actually subjectively impossible. Pomarico calls them the "Cosmic Series" the Moon, Sun and Star. A bit of hyperbole there...don't know how Brad B. missed that?
Clarinet Redux
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Author: senior
Date: 2010-03-26 21:01
Over the years I have owned 2 Pomaricos'. They were acceptable but not very impressive. The 2 mouthpieces that I play at this time are, a Jody jazz #5 and a V. Krass K 05. Following this thread, I decided to try the wizard. I bought the Star from WWBW. From the time I ordered it, to in hand, 4 days. Not bad. I used several makes and sizes of reeds and 3 different ligatures. All combinations worked. Some better than others but all were very good. The mouthpiece is reed friendly and played the full range of the clarinet with little effort. Wonderful tone. I am impressed. It may become my #1 piece but alot more playing befor I make that choice. Now the negative. It is very heavy for a mouthpiece and I had a problem with one lig being not quite big enough. So the mouthpiece is a little fatter. Not a biggy
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