 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: zdog
Date: 2011-04-28 16:37
Recently worked with Ramon on some of my mouthpieces. He's a terrific craftsman and can rework your equipment to your liking. He's very sensitive to what you like and what you want in your sound. He can hear what you tell him about what you feel, and he can change the mouthpiece accordingly. He's very knowledgeable about all makes of mouthpieces, too. He's worked on them all!
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Author: Bill Patry
Date: 2011-04-28 17:33
I'll second that. Ramon has worked on quite a number of my mouthpieces, bass and soprano. He made a gorgeous mouthpiece for my daughter, I have bought quite a few vintage mouthpieces from him and gotten his view on many others. He has great historical knowledge and is a very sensitive craftsmen.
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Author: sclarinet
Date: 2011-04-28 22:58
I can agree with previous comments. Ramon has fixed pretty much all of of my mouthpieces, Bb, Eb and Bass. He projects a unique confidence, which explains why so many top players trust him with their treasures. Also he was honest about some mouthpieces that were not worth dealing with, which saved me time and money.
Students from Rice University, where he was recently was invited to give a class, were really impressed with his knowledge as well.
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Author: antaresclar
Date: 2011-04-28 23:26
He is the best there is at what he does....it is as simple as that!
Garrick Zoeter, clarinetist, Antares
Ann Lee Van Buren Asst, Prof. of Clarinet
The Shenandoah Conservatory
http://www.youtube.com/user/SUclarinets
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Author: Vytas
Date: 2011-04-29 00:16
British are coming.... British are coming…..
The best clarinet players and the best clarinet mouthpiece craftsmen in the world are here in the US.
IMHO Mr. Christopher Hill eats five Wodkowski's for breakfast and I'm not even talking about Mr. Brad Behn.. don't get me started...
Vytas Krass
Custom clarinet mouthpiece maker
Professional clarinet technician
Former professional clarinet player
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Author: Bill Patry
Date: 2011-04-29 01:46
Actually Ramon is American. The larger point is that to praise one person is not to disparage others. I have a piece Vytas refaced and he did a great job. I have bought new mouthpieces from Brad and had him reface others, all wonderful. It is unfortunate that when you say great things about one person some feel a need in some to trash him in favor of others. Aren't we all better off with lots of talented people? And to try to quantify differences for such work -- this person is twice as good as that -- is truly absurd.
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Author: L. Omar Henderson
Date: 2011-04-29 02:31
I have never had Ramon do any work for me but he is interested and has helped compile a more detailed history of the old Chedeville mouthpieces through the 1930's and the development of the modern mouthpieces derived from these classics. Many players have praised his work along with our current mouthpiece artisans. We are indeed blessed to have so many dedicated and talented makers in our time.
L. Omar Henderson
www.doctorsprod.com
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Author: Chetclarinet
Date: 2011-04-29 02:57
Ramon recently did some excellent work on several of my kaspar mouthpieces. He is very gifted.
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Author: sclarinet
Date: 2011-04-29 03:37
Seriously,Vytas,
Do you really think that by trashing Ramon, all of a sudden all those top American clarinetists (and Europeans) that worked with him and praised his work are going to drop everything and jump on a plane and give You their business?
I don't think it is a great business plan.
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Author: cigleris
Date: 2011-04-29 10:15
Ramon is a colleague and I have to say that he worked on two of my (now) spare mouthpieces which I had given up on. His craftsmanship is second to none. I would highly recommend him to anyone.
Peter Cigleris
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Author: Red Chair
Date: 2011-04-29 14:35
So Vytas, nice to hear somone sitting on the fence with their intelligent and well founded thoughts. I don't know your work so I will not presume to just in order to big note myself. But I hope you can address my questions below.
As a 'Custom clarinet mouthpiece maker- Professional clarinet technician - Former professional clarinet player' I'm sure in order to voice such strong oppinions you must have worked with Mr Wodkowski in the past. You surely wouldn't voice those opinions without spending time with the gentleman in question. It's a shame you didn't recognise his strong American accent when you did work with him. To voice such harmful and resentful opinions only look bad on those who voice them and sound like jealousy if they are coming from uniformed voices. When did you work with Mr Wodkowski?
Your world experience also interests me, as you state that the best craftsmen and performers all live the in the USA. I can also only assume you have travelled the world widely, heard all of the respected clarinetists around the world regularly, and have come to your conclusion that only the best of everything comes from the USA from this experience. To be founded on any less then regular world travel to hear all of the fine soloists and orchestral musicians would just be a hurtful xenophobic attitude. So, my question is where have you been recently, and who did you hear?
I'll make sure to foward this link to Martin Frost, Michael Collins, Sabine Meyer, Peter Eaton etc. Perhaps you could offer them some advice for improving their skills so that you would be satisfied by their work. I'm sure they would be eager to hear your thoughts.
One other point, why if the best performers live in the USA, are two of the top three reviews by performers on your website by performers living outside the USA?
Back to Mr Wodkowski though, I too can attest to his wonderful work, I own three of his pieces. If you are in the market for a new piece I think he offers a unique service, that while not being for everyone (nothing is), is certainly worth exploring.
Post Edited (2011-04-29 14:44)
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Author: Ed
Date: 2011-04-29 15:16
We are fortunate that there are so many fine craftsmen out there making and refacing mouthpieces. While Ramon has been receiving attention lately, he is only one of many who are in this trade.
I have had the opportunity to play or try pieces from many of the makers. I have seen and played spectacular work by Brad Behn, Lee Livengood, Chris Hill, David McClune, Vytas Krass, Ben Redwine, Richard Hawkins as well as the fantastic pieces available from Clark Fobes, Walter Grabner, Gregory Smith, Michael Lomax, James Pyne and countless others. (I apologize to anyone whose names I have omitted)
Each brings their own tastes, approach and special gifts to the clarinet world. We are fortunate to have so many choices which are readily available. Every player can find something to fit their needs and tastes. I would encourage any player to work with any of the fine craftsmen available today to find what works for you.
Post Edited (2011-04-29 15:38)
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Author: gagarin
Date: 2011-04-29 21:42
Just had Ramon fix my old M13 that I was going to throw away and now it's my No.1 mouthpiece. I can attest to the fact that he is American. I went to Interlochen with him and coincidently one of the authors of this website. His work is wonderful. Also, I heard nothing but great things about his work from all the top professionals who have worked with him.
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Author: gagarin
Date: 2011-04-30 01:33
Oh, sorry My mistake, I thought that you guys were both in on this one. Hope things are well!
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Author: skygardener
Date: 2011-04-30 06:33
Vytas wrote-
"The best clarinet players and the best clarinet mouthpiece craftsmen in the world are here in the US."
----
This is such bad news for me!! ![[hot]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/hot.gif)
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Author: Red Chair
Date: 2011-04-30 12:02
School yard bullies are all the same really. They are generally the ones who scream and shout loudest but in reality they usually have nothing of any substance to say and have no knowledge to back up their ignorant views. They tend to shut up as soon their views are questioned as they are not used to being stood up to.
The Internet has meant that those creeps who we all detested when we were growing up can now slander others from the safety of their own homes without ever having to justify their views.
I'm still waiting for a reply Vytas.
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2011-04-30 12:39
If you search for Vytas' posts you'll discover he has no problem maintaining his position regardless of whether it is popular or not.
I am surprised at his comments, however.
James
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: Liquorice
Date: 2011-04-30 17:59
I think (hope) that Vytas's post was tongue-in cheek. In any case, I certainly won't be arguing with him now that I know about his other passion!
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Author: SteveG_CT
Date: 2011-04-30 19:48
I think perhaps people are reading a bit too much into Vytas's post. He didn't say that Ramon Wodkowski's work was bad, just that he viewed Chris Hill's and Brad Behn's to be superior. Realistically I think most clarinetists have differing opinions about who are the top mouthpiece makers and simply stating those opinions shouldn't be cause for such an uproar.
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Author: Red Chair
Date: 2011-04-30 20:43
I don't care if anyone has a different opinion to me, actually I welcome a healthy exchange of ideas. I also welcome the many and varied artists and craftsmen we are lucky to have today.
Vytas in his post was neither constructive or insightful - just vicious and from my perspective almost racist to non Americans. I would have expected at the very least for Vytas to treat his fellow craftsmen with respect. There was no hint of irony in his post, just offensive rubbish. The way I see it the only losing respect in this matter is Vytas, who still hasn't replied....
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