 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: sunsetnijiiro7
Date: 2011-06-07 18:22
Are crystal mouthpieces any better than a hard rubber mouthpiece? I would like to have some opinion on crystal mouthpiece. I'm currently playing on an M30.
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Author: SteveG_CT
Date: 2011-06-08 00:05
Mouthpieces are often a personal preference but I have had good experiences with them. I have a 1950's O'Brien crystal mouthpiece that plays very well and is one of my favorite mouthpieces. I have been meaning to try a new Pomarico for a while but I have heard that the facings on them are inconsistent.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2011-06-08 01:05
From this board, I've ascertained (and it makes sense to me) that the crystal mouthpieces change subtly during the cooling process. The dimensions of each one (like many mouthpieces) will be close, but different. If you find one that plays well, it'll play well forever (or until you break it, whichever comes first). They're a little more difficult to work on and reface because of the hardness and brittleness.
I have had a few good ones, and have tried even MORE bad ones.
Alexi
PS - Most of the ones I've tried have ended up being stuffy. Seems like finding a freeblowing one is tough. At least for me it was.
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Bob Barnhart ★2017
Date: 2011-06-08 02:18
I played a Selmer HS* crystal for a number of years and loved it. However, I accidently broke it and for several years could not find a mouthpiece I was happy with.
There are those that say a crystal mouthpiece plays "brighter". In general I don't believe that to be true. I have heard numerous players on crystal mouthpieces (e.g., Robert Marcellus, Jon Manasse) who sound great on them. Some in the (old) Italian school might sound brighter (on crystals), but I think this may have more to do with their tonal concept rather than an equipment issue.
I think crystals might actually feel darker because the material/weight seems to transmit less vibration. When I had to switch from crystal to hard-rubber mouthpieces, I had to use a patch to get a similar feel.
In general, crystals can be very good mouthpieces, but because of the way they must be made, they are more variable than hard rubber ones. Moreover, it can be hard to find one that you like, and even harder to find a backup/replacement that plays similarly.
Bob Barnhart
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Author: sunsetnijiiro7
Date: 2011-06-08 17:55
What kind of ligature do you use with your crystal mouthpieces? The standard metal ones? leather? string?
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Author: SteveG_CT
Date: 2011-06-08 19:48
sunsetnijiiro7 wrote:
> What kind of ligature do you use with your crystal mouthpieces?
> The standard metal ones? leather? string?
I use a Rovner light on my O'Brien most of the time. I have also successfully used a Bonade on it but tend to prefer the Rovner.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2011-06-08 20:09
Most crystals I've used are so thick they wont let a standard metal one fit. So leather for me, or one of those leather ones with metal rails (BG)
ALEXI
US Army Japan Band
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Author: 2cekce ★2017
Date: 2011-06-09 22:55
I had two of them one for my yamaha Bb and buffet Eb. the one for the Bb had some issues with it so it wasnt as responsive for me as i thought it should have been. the one for the Eb proved to be a pretty decent one so I ended up keeping it and getting rid of the other one with no desire to try another.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2011-06-09 23:41
My crystal mouthpieces may well be better than your hard rubber mouthpieces. Does that prove anything? I doubt it.
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2011-06-10 13:04
I have been pretty much wedded to crystal for the past 30+ years, mainly Vandoren A1s.
I agree with many comments above about variability and must admit that most of mine have also been quite resistant, although personally I like some resistance.
One aspect of the density of crystal is that it also changes the balance of the clarinet, making it slightly Mouthpiece heavy. As a double lip player I actually like this as it helps the mouthpiece sit more firmly on the lower lip and reduces the work that the upper lip has to do.
Are they better - no - just different - and if you like them as I do you will try to stick with them.
Metal ligatures can be a problem as the hard glass has less friction and most metal ligs I tried rapidly worked loose.
I cured this on a VD Optimum by glueing a few pieces of very thin leather (sax pads) inside the lig otherwise I mainly use a VD leather which is much more resistant to coming off when swopping the mouthpiece.
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