 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: seabreeze
Date: 2014-01-21 01:15
Several European dealers in clarinet supplies list a Zinner 127 model Bb clarinet mouthpiece with internal dimensions and facing appropriate for German bore clarinets.They all give a similar description of this mouthpiece as made from an "Ebonite" material that is "60%" denser than the rubber ordinarily used in mouthpieces. Of course, they say this "improves the sound" without stating any specifics.
What is Zinner up to in using denser mouthpiece material in this model? Have any of you who play German instruments tried a Zinner 127?
I recall some years ago that Sidney Forrest and Jerry Hall were working in the US to produce a mouthpiece for French/American bore Boehm clarinets out of a denser material. I don''t know if their collaborative effort ever got a mouthpiece into production, but a few "Sidney Forrest" mouthpieces--whatever their provenance--occasionally appear on e-bay. Forrest had announced his intention to work with Zinner to produce a mouthpiece suitable for French Boehm players in the US, but I'm not sure what became of that.
Is there indeed a connection between the mysterious Zinner 127 and the efforts of Sidney Forrest, or am I conflating the two? Is the 127 actually a new (third?) model Zinner blank? If so, could an American mouthpiece maker adapt it to typical American needs?
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2014-01-21 01:45
On the website they seem to be only in the German schnurrand variety (with the collar thingy that keeps the strings from slipping up and off).
http://www.hans-zinner.de/html/home_englisch.html
They look like heavy hard rubber. I recall some older mouthpieces that were like this. I would guess that they would be less resonant (less bright). Certainly interesting. If I still had my 100cs I'd probably want to give them a whirl. I never did like the plexiglass mouthpieces Wurlitzer is still so fond of.
............Paul Aviles
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Author: Jeroen
Date: 2014-01-20 21:15
The 127 is made of the Zinner 'HS' ebonite. This material has been around for at least 20 years (as far I remember). It is more heavy and adds 'weight' to the tone but has indeed a tendency to sound less bright. I prefer the sound of the Concert 27 model, also made of a high quality ebonite. They 'speak' better.
Furthermore, the price is at least twice the 'normal' 27 mouthpiece, making the 127 rather expensive.
There is no difference in internal chamber and available facings between the 27 and 127.
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Author: seabreeze
Date: 2014-01-20 21:58
So, from what I have gathered so far, Zinners (or Zinner blanks) come in at least 5 distinct materials:
Zinner 22 "Standard Rubber"
Zinner 23 "Grenadilla Wood"
Zinner 26 "Acrylic 'Glass'" (acrylic plastic, not really crystal)
Zinner 27 "Concert Rubber"
Zinner 127 "HS Ebonite" (60% heavier or denser)
This is irrespective of the chamber types (formerly labelled A and E)
Should I assume that the many American mouthpiece craftsmen who list certain models as made from a "Zinner Blank" are normally using the Zinner 27 "Concert Rubber" material, or do they sometimes use blanks of other materials such as the cheaper 22, the 26 (blackened), or even the 127?
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Author: Jeroen
Date: 2014-01-21 05:42
Your list contain German models only. I would expect most American craftsmen use the French model.
I believe the 22 is used by e.g. H.Viotto for German style facings.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2014-01-21 01:50
I know at least two custom mouthpiece makers also using the Zinner hardwoods (Cocus, African Blackwood, Cocobolo): Mike Lomax and Greg Smith.
Perhaps either gentleman could help you further with your Zinner query if you were to contact them directly.
................Paul Aviles
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