 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: cxgreen48
Date: 2015-04-03 08:13
I have recently acquired a tip opening measuring wand, but I am having some trouble using it. Does anyone have any advice/instructions on getting a measurement? Specifically, I seem to be unable to find a "resistance point" to read the tip opening at.
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Author: kdk
Date: 2015-04-03 17:15
Are you talking about a taper gauge? You have to (carefully, gently) let it drop into place. If you push it in with any pressure at all, it will just push the glass up in front of it and go past the actual opening width.
Also, tip gauges (tapers or otherwise) tend to be inconsistent from one to another in the measurements they give, so my tip gauge and yours might, even if used correctly, give slightly different readings. Many of the custom makers avoid giving precise tip measurements for their mouthpieces partly because the customer's gauge, if he uses one to check the dimensions, may read differently.
Karl
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Author: mddds
Date: 2015-04-05 08:06
I agree completely with kdk.
When I measure on my tip gauge, my readings (0.93) vary widely from that of the mpc refacer (1.0). His measurements are likely more accurate.
It's a frustrating tool to work with.
I should have invested the money in digital calipers.
good luck!
-CK
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Author: cxgreen48
Date: 2015-04-05 22:30
CK,
Yes, my wand measures much lower than manufacturer specs, about 0.05 mm lower if I am measuring correctly.
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Author: kdk
Date: 2015-04-05 23:13
You've probably already realized that you need to be consistent about lining the end of the glass up with the top edge of the tip rail.
Karl
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Author: cxgreen48
Date: 2015-04-06 16:41
Well the good news is that I am getting relatively consistent measurements, but if there was a way to find out how accurate these measurements are that would be great :P
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Author: kdk
Date: 2015-04-06 17:02
It really wouldn't matter or help you. The final basis for judging a facing is how the mouthpiece functions. Measurements may give you a partial explanation for why one mouthpiece plays differently from another. They give you a starting point when you look for mouthpieces that play like others you're trying to replicate. For either purpose, it's only important that your own measurements are consistent for accurate comparison. That Vandoren or a custom maker gives different specs in their ads than the measurements you get with your gauge should only be a surprise after the first one. After that, you know what to expect.
If you ask Clark Fobes, Walter Grabner or Chris Hill, three custom makers I've bought from and whose mouthpieces I've used, they'll all tell you very candidly that their stated measurements may not match yours. But you aren't going to get a mouthpiece from any of them that's advertised to have a 1.02 mm tip opening and find that your gauge gives you 1.10. The variability will be small enough at worst to be negligible or nearly nearly so. From there, you still have to make a decision about the mouthpiece based on how it plays.
Karl
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Author: TomS
Date: 2015-04-06 17:36
Any high-tech way (short of a CT-scan or MRI) to accurately measure the facing curve and tip opening? Looks like some sort of optical comparator might do the job??
I think you could check the accuracy of your tip wand using some digital calipers (if they are actually in calibration) ...
I'd say it really doesn't make much difference, because the proof is in how well the MP plays for you ... but accurate measurements allow you to clone another, at least in the ballpark ...
Tom
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