 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Fred
Date: 2001-01-07 02:15
Could anyone share any recent experiences they've had in getting mouthpieces refaced? I'm thinking of having a Ched "blank" (old Buffet) refaced, and I'm way beyond my comfort zone knowledge-wise.
Questions like who to use and how much does it cost come to mind. I'd probably like to stay with a medium open tip. Thanks.
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Author: John gibson
Date: 2001-01-07 04:33
I too have an old buffet mpc that's a chedeville. I would like to get it refaced as well. So now there are two of us wondering....
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Author: Willie
Date: 2001-01-07 05:15
Make it three. I have a lot of old MPs that could use a touch up.
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Author: Gregory Smith
Date: 2001-01-07 12:06
There are many "refacers" out there of widely varying abilities - some of whom allot of you may have heard of already. But when I don't have time to do these vintage mouthpieces myself, my own personal choices are:
Lee Livengood - email: Melleefone@aol.com
and
Chris Hill - email: Christopherhill@webtv.net
I have seen both of these peoples work before and they are superb, first class craftsmen - and importantly, accomplished performing orchestral clarinetists. It may or may not take a little time to have them refaced depending on each of these gentlemans' schedule (because they are in such demand), but in my opinion it is well worth it !
Gregory Smith
Clarinetist
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Mouthpiece Handcraftsman
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Author: Fred
Date: 2001-01-07 18:57
I guess that I still have a couple of unanswered questions. I am trying to balance the practicality and end result of refacing a Ched vs. buying a new quality mp. (My thanks to Greg Smith for the post.) In the hands of the same mp craftsman, would you get a better mp from refacing a Ched or from that same craftsman's stock of new blanks? Also, what would be the cost comparison? Tough questions, I know . . . but does anyone have any ideas or opinions?
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Author: Anji
Date: 2001-01-07 23:24
Abandon all hope, Ye who enter here...
I am learning about the mechanics of refacing and to date have rescued two blanks from the doorstop pile, whilst rendering 5 previously playable (if indescribably dull) Vitos to the scap bin. The real problem seems to be in finding a reproducible technique.
The passage mentioned in Erich Brand's book deals only with the mechanics of measuring rail curves and taking material off the blank in question.
It doesn't deal at any depth, with the why's and wherefor's of this lil' bit of alchemy.
Greg has a first rate product, already.
There is some conjecture as to the merit of some materials being better suited to the task and others being inferior.
Before anyone puts the rubber on sandpaper, have a clear example in hand. You will need some point of reference.
If you do seek out the efforts of the established pros, you are paying for their hard-earned knowledge. There just isn't any text regarding the dimensions inside the chamber (at least not to my knowledge).
Lee Livengood/Everett Matson and Chris Hill are all players, so they may well be able to help you dial in a mouthpiece. This will not come cheap.
Me, I would try the samples they offer from THEIR STOCK so that if you find something good a spare me also be purchased.
Buying a piece of real estate from Brigadoon is great if you're moving there.
If it's a time-share, you had best get a roadmap for the return trip.
Good luck to all who pursue this delicate balance between art and madness.
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Author: Bill
Date: 2001-01-08 13:50
Don't forget Brad Behn! He's done two mouthpieces for me. His work is perfection. He's at:
bradbehn@aol.com
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Author: pat
Date: 2001-01-08 22:53
I know that John Weigand at West Virginia University does mouthpiece work. i am going to get back a mouthpiece that he fixed for me. I tried a Kaspar he refaced and it played very good.
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Author: L. Omar Henderson
Date: 2001-01-09 14:42
I appreciate the desire to save and preserve vintage mouthpieces and applaud the technical expertise and art of the best refacers but from my own experience the new incarnations of the Ched and Kaspar are every bit as good as the originals. I have had the opportunity to play several old Kaspars and just recently received some glorious trial Kaspar style mouthpieces from Gregory Smith. I feel that Greg's Kaspar reproductions are every bit as superb as the originals. Every individual is different and one size (style and facing) does not fit all. It is a never ending search to find the best for your own setup and style but in my mind there is no lost art in the vintage mouthpieces that is not present in today's premier makers mouthpieces.
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Author: Fred
Date: 2001-01-09 18:19
Doctor, that may be the answer that I've been searching for. The fundamental question was the issue of cost effectiveness and quality of the end product. Unless the current blanks represent a major expense in the creation of a new mp; or, the old blanks are distinctly superior to the currently available blanks, then I don't see either an economic or artistic reason for going down the refacing path. In refacing, you have only one product . . . pay for the work and play it, or pay for the work and put it in the drawer. With a new mp, you can order several, take the pick of the litter, and send the others back.
It's hard to find the Holy Grail shopping the Blue Light Specials.
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Author: jerry
Date: 2001-01-09 23:26
A Bundy MP with the # 3 ingraved on it, and in very poor condition, came with my used Vito. It has many, many very fine scratches just inside where the reed is attached. Would these *fine* scratches effect the playability? Is this kind of damage repaired in "refacing"? Is this MP worth salvaging?
At present I am using a Fobes Debut.
Thanks.
~ jerry
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Author: mw
Date: 2001-01-10 15:36
I think it would be a *BIG* mistake if we were to patently rule refacing of older mouthpieces.
In the case of several mouthpiece models I know of, it is *NO* problem to find mint/near mint/exc. condition mouthpieces in adequate supply.
With a great supply out there, finding 2 nice ones to send to Chris Hill or Everett Matsen or your refacer of choice isn't a huge problem. The last time I sent a mouthpiece to Chris Hill, it wasn't expensive! (thats obviously subjective to my pocketbook)
Many of these older mouthpieces are Chedevilles blanks. Generally speaking, there is a _plethora_ of waiting/anxious buyers for (older) mouthpieces that say Cicero, Lelandais & Qualite Superieure!
On the other mano, there can be **no question** that today's blanks are of excellent quality & that we are blessed with mouthpiece purveyors like Greg Smith, Clark Fobes, David Hite, etc.
The important issue is that "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" & "opinions are like derrieres" (we all have one). Lets not rule out refacing old blanks. Lets also avoid blindly holding an opinion that older blanks are a panacea to the ills of the world; they are clearly _not_ the Holy Grail of mouthpiecedom.
All mouthpieces that should be considered should be play-tested. If you find one or two you like personally, so be it!
Happy new Year to all.
mw
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Author: Dave Spiegelthal
Date: 2001-01-11 17:40
Although I have no reputation per se (just a few referrals I could pass along), I humbly submit that I do mouthpiece refacing. I have been doing it for more than 20 years, and have (hopefully) most of my mistakes and learning curve behind me. Only in the last year have I started refacing mouthpieces for compensation, so essentially it took me about 20 years of playing around with refacing until I felt confident enough to perform this service for money. Refacing is certainly not black magic (nor, pardon the cliche, rocket science), but it certainly isn't for the inexperienced, the faint-hearted, or the non-clarinet-players either.
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Author: Anji
Date: 2001-01-11 21:27
Anyone needing a reference for Dave, drop me a line. I have a Spiegelthal special that I really dig. Working with Dave was a smooth, hassle-free transaction.
He won't admit to owning a pointy sorcerer's hat, but he likely has one.
As a novice refinisher, I admire those that make good players. So far, I'm still making doorstops.
anji
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