 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2015-03-28 22:52
Hi everyone,
Long time no post!
Just a really quick question in case anyone here can help me. I have a Gregory Smith, Kaspar Cicero model mouthpiece. What's the nearest massed-produced equivalent (i.e. Vandoren)?
I'd ask the man himself but he's possibly busy and probably not looking to try and sell a mouthpiece other than his own and I don't blame him, his mouthpieces are amazing. I just don't think it particularly feasible to order a bunch on approval to be sent to London.
Thanks in advance.
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Author: WhitePlainsDave
Date: 2015-03-28 23:29
If you could help us out with the tip opening and rail lengths of these mouthpieces it might be a good place to compare them to some of the Vandoren product offerings. Here's some specs on the traditional product line.
http://www.vandoren-en.com/file/162130/
Of course many things make up a mouthpiece like rail width, YOU, the nature of the rail profile, the beak, the materials, inside dimensions, etc., but these 2 aforementioned attributes might be a good starting point for you to try a family of Vandoren mouthpieces.
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Author: James S
Date: 2015-03-28 23:37
M13 lyre has the same bore style, though the baffle is different. Depending on your budget the Fobes Cicero is a great way to go. I believe Howarth has a bunch and may send you some, but don't quote me on that!
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Author: kdk
Date: 2015-03-29 00:11
What do you mean by "mass-produced?" Are you thinking about Vandoren and Rico/D'Addario, or something else?
Greg Smith, as well as Clark Fobes and several others (among them Richard Hawkins and Walter Grabner) use Zinner blanks, which are not really equivalent to any of the Vandoren or, I don't think, Rico/D'Addario mouthpieces.
Are you looking for a change, have you damaged the Smith that you have and need a replacement, or do you want a backup for emergencies? From what I know of Greg Smith's facings (which I admit is limited) you might get a similar *facing* in a Vandoren M-13, M13 Lyre or M15 or a Rico X0 or X5, depending on which specific facing is on your Smith "Cicero." But, if you really like the Smith, you may not be happy with any of these. You might contact Greg Smith and ask about distributors in the London area. He might have arrangements with a British outlet.
Karl
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2015-03-29 00:49
I also have a couple of Greg Smith's Kaspar style mouthpiece (may by Chicago though). I also use M13 (non lyre), 5RV Lyre, Masters CL4 and the ESM MCK-1.
For what it's worth, my singer-wife prefers the "oooo" sound of the CL4.
............Paul Aviles
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Author: TomS
Date: 2015-03-29 08:01
Probably nothing in the Vandoren line that is really and truly similar to the Greg Smith. The real Kaspars I've seen and played were not Vandorenish ... and it's been a long time since I've tried a Smith.
I like the M13 (non lyre) and the 5RV-lyre (non 13 series) with #3 or #3.25 Legere Classic or Vandoren V12 #3.5 or #3.5+ ... both combinations are warm and responsive ... the 5RV-lyre has more "core" sound and more robust than the M13, IMHO ... I had been playing an M30-lyre for band use ... now gravitating back to 5RV-lyre ...
I suspect Vandoren and Greg Smith are each doing their own divergent thing ... and both experts at their craft. Just a different approach ...
Tom
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Author: Liquorice
Date: 2015-03-29 12:28
Why don't you contact Ramon Wodkowski. He's based in London and could certainly make you something similar to (or better than?) the one you have.
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2015-03-29 13:51
I've spent so much time and money on mouthpieces over the past year or so, including many visits to Ramon. I tried an old Greg Smith mpc that I used to use and was reminded what a beautiful mouthpiece it is, but it's old, it's completely knackered (for want of a better term!). After going from setup to setup, I wanted to stay for a while on something middle-of-the-road for a while, while I consider my next move. I haven't played a mouthpiece for a long time that I'm truly happy with apart from the Greg Smith. So I want probably a Vandoren that will just do a decent enough job for now. Currently playing on a great Pillinger F2 but it's sound just doesn't carry.
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Author: TomS
Date: 2015-03-29 19:23
If there is an industry standard MP, it's probably the 5RV-lyre ... maybe even over the B45, which IMHO is too difficult to manage ... (one Eastman grad I knew said the B45 handled like a Mac Truck)
About a two zillion years ago, my intermittent clarinet teacher, George (who taught at a university about 25 miles north of me) came to my day gig, all excited. He had heard about the 5RV-lyre and what a good MP it was from some world class player (it was new in Vandorens line) and was heading to local music store to pick up a couple. Now, George was an Pyne artist, but was always searching for something great that his students could afford. At the time, the Pynes were $90.00 (!!!) ... but the Vandorens you could find on special for under $20.00 (!!!). I think George was suitably impressed with the 5RV-lyre. But, back then, not a lot of choices ....
Tom
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Author: Gregory Smith ★2017
Date: 2015-03-30 07:05
contrary to what's posted here, I'm not the only only one capable of doing this!
GS
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