 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: karizmapoms
Date: 2011-08-28 17:14
Hi everyone, love this list! Can anyone give me an idea of the year the Evette Master Model by B-C Paris model #D32161 was made? I found it in a local music shop and was surprized by the tone. It's in excellent shape but the mouthpiece needs to be replaced, it's plastic. I'm not sure which mouthpiece to look for, but it needs to be rubber.
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2011-08-28 18:57
AFAIK, there are no serial number lists around for Evettes so this will have to be a ballpark guess. I have a French Evette MM, serial number D38xxx. The person I bought it from bought it new in 1976 -- two years before production of this model shifted to Germany, BTW. D1 was made in 1960 so I think yours was probably made sometime between 1972-74.
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: karizmapoms
Date: 2011-08-28 19:41
Thanks JNK. I've been thinking 70's too.
Now maybe someone can give some advice on a mouthpiece.
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2011-08-28 19:55
It's a typical French small-bore clarinet. There is no mouthpiece designed specifically to work with it. Just about any modern mouthpiece can potentially work. What actually will work depends on individual characteristics of the player. Before anyone can give you intelligent advice, I think we need more information. Am I correct in assuming you are not an experienced clarinetist with other instruments and mouthpieces? Have you perhaps purchased this clarinet for yourself or a child who is about to start lessons/band? What is the current mouthpiece with the instrument? Why do you believe you need a (hard) rubber mouthpiece?
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: karizmapoms
Date: 2011-08-28 20:48
I was a middle and high school player who was pretty good, I would compete in local and state solo competitions and if I didn't win I'd always score in the top 3 or 4. When I went to work and started a family (33 years ago), I never had time to play so I passed on my instrument to a family member. I played a Buffet r13 1968.
It came with a mid sized plastic mouthpiece. Nothing against plastic mps but when I started High School I tried a Hite-D rubber mouthpiece, I was sold. I was thrilled with the feel and I got a much better sound in the upper reg. plus my instructor said he thought I got a better sound with the harder reeds when I used the Hite-D. I've been searching for the Hite-D but I think I'm not looking in the right places.
When I went shopping for a new instrument, I was shocked that I could even make a sound much less remember the fingering.
Thanks JNK, If you any ideas I'd be in debt.
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2011-08-28 23:50
A Hite D should be as good for someone returning to the instrument after a long layoff as any. It's a relatively easy-blowing mouthpiece. You can find them for sale at either of these two places (and probably won't find much better prices):
http://www.wwbw.com/J---D-Hite-Artist-Series-Bb-Clarinet-Mouthpiece-483873-i1442261.wwbw
http://shop.weinermusic.com/DAVID-HITE-Bb-CLARINET-MOUTHPIECE-MODEL-J/productinfo/MH1/
David Hite passed away awhile back but his mouthpieces are now being manufactured by the J. J. Babbitt Co., who probably supplied blanks for the original mouthpieces. They are manufacturing the mouthpieces to the original specifications but, of course, their product won't be quite the same thing as one finished by David or Jean Hite. If I were you, I would call one of the two above stores, talk to a woodwind specialist and arrange a mouthpiece trial. They will usually send out three for you to try and you can return any you don't want. If you don't keep at least one, they probably charge a relatively small restocking fee. The trial helps make sure you don't get stuck with a lemon.
There are still some mouthpieces around that the Hites produced while David was alive. They turn up fairly frequently on eBay. I have one that I bought there in mint condition. I think I paid around $50, which seems to be the going price for his mouthpieces.
Probably sometime after you bought your mouthpiece, the Hites turned their attention to young beginners. They felt that kids just starting out needed a mouthpiece designed for them. Their Hite Premier is a well-made plastic mouthpiece that follows the design of their D-facing. It was, I think, the first mouthpiece designed and made for young beginners. Now, several other makers have followed suit. I might have recommended that mouthpiece if you were buying something for a child.
If, for some reason, you have trouble finding a Hite D or want to try something else, I think you would find a Fobes Nova or a Vandoren 5RV fairly comparable. You should be able to find either of those at the stores I gave you links for above.
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2011-08-29 03:26
Congrats on the Master Model find. From this board, I understand they're pretty sought after and usually found to be good players. Like said above, any clarinet mouthpiece you can think of will work on it.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: BobD
Date: 2011-08-29 20:10
I wouldn't assume that just any mp will FIT the barrel socket, however.
Bob Draznik
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