 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: clarinetkat123
Date: 2010-09-22 16:31
Hey guys!
So I need some help.
I purchased a Kaspar Ann Arbor mouthpiece from my lessons teacher about 6 months ago. I originally used Vandoreen V12 4's with my previous mouthpieces, but with the Kaspar, the response was horrible. I switched to Rico Reserve Classic 4's, which have worked pretty well, however, I want a bit more of a deeper, richer sound, with the Rico's, my sound is a little on the bright side. Any suggestions as far as brands of reeds to try that may work a little better?
Katherine
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2010-09-22 18:09
If the Kaspar is such a good mouthpiece, then it ought to work well with a wide variety of reeds, in my opinion. Maybe you should consider trying other mouthpieces?
Post Edited (2010-09-23 03:20)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: reedwizard
Date: 2010-09-22 18:18
You might try the vandoren Blackmaster. They are a thicker cut than the v12s. I have found that they work well for me on many mouthpieces.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: A Brady
Date: 2010-09-22 18:42
Kaspar mouthpieces vary greatly from one model, maker (Frank or Frank L.), vintage and tip opening to another. I believe Frank L. (the uncle) produced all of the Ann Arbor models.
My Kaspar (Chicago) requires softer reeds than I had been using on Chedeville style mouthpieces, so you should try different strengths as well as brands and style of cut. I find that a good Kaspar has a certain feeling of resistance which I find very useful in the production of a beautiful sound, but others may not be as comfortable with this and prefer a freer-blowing design.
Also, my particular Kaspar only really "came alive" after some expert tweaking of the facing.
Bottom line: some Kaspars are among the finest mouthpieces ever made, others are not as great, but many can be improved (and made more reed friendly) after adjustment by a master maker/refacer.
AB
AB
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ed
Date: 2010-09-22 19:05
Good comments above. I agree completely with David's comment. I have always found that for me a really good mouthpiece will take many different reeds. It may require some tweaking of the facing or interior as AB suggests. I have played a number of Kaspars (various flavors) that have an inherent stuffiness.
Post Edited (2010-09-22 19:05)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: William
Date: 2010-09-23 00:19
My Frank L Kaspar, Ann Arbor, mpc is quite reed friendly, same as my Frank Kaspar, Chicago #14, which is my main mpc. I used to play Vandoran "blue box", but switched to V12 3.5 or 4.0 when they came out. I've also tried Rico Grande Concert for a while, but for the past year have been playing on Forestones. Nonetheless, all of the above mentioned cane reeds played well on my Kaspar, in particular, the V12's--that is, after you found some "good" ones and then conditioned them properly. Perhaps your Ann Arbor needs to be refaced or you haven't yet found the correct cut of Vandoran. My only other advise would be to try a Forestone F4.5--I like them.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: vin
Date: 2010-09-23 12:21
v12s are too wide for most Kaspar tables, hence the poor response (the edge of the reed hangs off the table on both sides reducing the amplitude of the vibrations). Measure the reed and mouthpiece (carefully!) with digital calipers and see for yourself. Try something narrower, or learn how to narrow your v12s, or, gulp, make your own reeds.
Post Edited (2010-09-23 18:54)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Connor
Date: 2010-09-23 13:30
Try softer V-12s. Poor response likely means your reeds are too hard. Vandoren now has 3 1/2+ reeds that may suit you purposes well. I would consider a richer sound to mean having more overtones, there fore flexibility. This may at first seem to be a brighter sound, but spend time recording yourself in a large hall to get a real understanding of your true sound color.
MM. Clarinet Performance University of Texas at Austin (2012).
BM. Clarinet Performance University of Northern Colorado (2010).
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2010-09-24 11:24
A lot of the old mouthpieces, such as the Kaspers, the Cheds, have been refaced too many times. The way to tell is look at the side rails, if they are wider than a standard Vandoren or Zinner, you should send the MP to someone with many years of experience working with your classic MP. There are very few people I can recommend. By the way, this is most likely why your instructor gave it away to you.
I've refaced several, first filing down the outer sides of the rails. Then refacing them. I can't tell you how much to take off, if needed, but if it is needed your reeds will surely play much better with the corrent dimensions. It's tedious work because you have to be so careful. I've spent a few days working on just one, before I feel the mouthpiece is worthy of its long term legacy record of perhap 90 plus yours in some cases.
I've said this before. I think the newer mouthpieces play and perform better than the clasic mouthpieces. I have 2 Chedevilles and although the are great, I don't play them. I have a few mouthpieces dated back to 1994 to the present. My latest mouthpieces are very good. I am not saying that Cheds and Kaspers aren't good, I'm saving the mouthpieces may beat out the Cheds and Kaspers.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
