 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: jacobhardy25
Date: 2013-10-10 22:11
Hello All. I have been thinking of trying out the Greg Smith Chicago Model Kaspar Mouthpiece. Anybody have any luck with it? I am currently using his Kaspar Cicero model but would really like to try the Chicago model.
[ Edited -GBK ]
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Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2013-10-10 23:19
What does " have any luck with it" mean?
What is supposed to be different between the Cicero and the Chicago models?
It doesn't really matter what anyone else thinks of them - if you want to try one, contact Greg Smith and try one (or two).
Karl
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2013-10-12 14:34
Greg Smith's Chicago Kaspar (in Cocobolo) was simply the best mouthpiece I ever had. I had a bit of an accident with it and thought I'd just try some other fine mouthpieces out there. It was three years of purgatory. I will be getting a new one soon.
The clearest advantage of Greg's mouthpieces (all of them actually) is the refined process he does with the tip section of the rails. This allows the altissimo to be very responsive as far up as you can go!
....................Paul Aviles
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Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2013-10-12 15:34
But, Paul, do you know what the difference is between the Cicero and the Chicago models? I've generally understood those descriptors to refer to the same period in Frank Kaspar's production. And Greg Smith puts them together on his website in such a way that they look like they're the same model, except that he uses a plural ("Old Kaspar Style 'Chicago' and 'Cicero' Models") in the listing.
I imagine the best answer to this would come from Greg Smith himself. Maybe he'll spot this thread or someone will ask him about it directly.
Karl
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2013-10-12 16:00
It doesn't matter if anyone else had any luck with it or not. The only way you will know if it's a good mouthpiece for YOU is to try them. Nothing else will tell you if it's a good mouthpiece for you or not. I haven't tried his MPs in many years but when I did I didn't like any of them but that didn't mean they weren't the best MP for someone else. Try a few. Remember though, no two MPs are alike in any make or model. They're like snow flakes, every one is slightly different. I always suggested my students try 3-4 of the make and model they liked the best.
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: Carmelo
Date: 2013-10-12 23:07
Hi Folks,
I did some searching and found this thread you might be interested in:
http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=332188&t=331936
Greg Smith describes the differences of the 2 styles of the Kaspar types. I really would like some of these mouthpieces in the near future.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2013-10-14 03:34
I think the different Kaspars are the reflection of Kaspar's attempt at capturing different versions (or ages) of the Chedevilles.
In my opinion the majority of the success of the Smith's lie in the base design which is a fantastic Zinner "blank." Of course many of today's mouthpiece providers start with the Zinner mouthpieces. Greg Smith does indeed add a bit more magic with his attention to the fine detail he adds to the curvature of the rail at it's most delicate point.
..................Paul Aviles
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Author: rtmyth
Date: 2013-10-14 20:36
Try before buy. And before try examine , under 3X or more, the symmetry,. rail widths, corners, lip, and then check the table with a gauge. If ok, try.
richard smith
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Author: Gregory Smith ★2017
Date: 2013-10-14 22:47
Ed:
You may have tried one model and one or two facings.
What would have been helpful was to have contacted me personally to tell me what you and others were looking for and I would have been able to go from there.
That is why I do not retail my mouthpieces. Trying one or two mouthpieces "in stock" from the assortment and variety of what I have to offer is not sufficient.
If I talked to you personally about what you were playing and what it was you were looking for, I could have sent you a variety of mouthpieces to try that responded to your wishes.
I am different than most other mouthpiece makers: I believe in personal contact and relationships that make a difference when it comes to individual wishes.
I talk (as in 'phone conversation) to every one of my potential clients and offer no web-based ordering or retail outlets.
Someone walking out of a retail outlet having tried only a sample of what I would potentially have to offer because that's all the retailer happened to have had in stock is a worst case scenario - as in "I don't like that mouthpiece because I didn't like what was in stock that I tried".
I am not interested in being a KFC with a mouthpiece in every town for the sake of being so.
This may be a distinction without a difference to some but I assure everyone that it is the formula upon which my successful business model is based.
Gregory Smith
http://gregory-smith.com
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Author: 2E
Date: 2013-10-18 03:35
I completely agree with your approach Greg!
I bought some of your Eb clarinet mouthpieces a few years ago, and remember you called me all the way in Australia!
By far, the best mouthpiece businessman around!
2E
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