 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: oian
Date: 2016-04-06 23:51
I recently acquired a Henry Pourcelle Albert system C clarinet (low pitch). The instrument is in good shape. and seems to play pretty well. I discovered that it has a wooden mouthpiece that is in good shape. Anyone have some idea on how to care for a wooden mouthpiece as it would probably be difficult to replace it. I understand that this particular brand of clarinet is not one of the better brands of the period, but I would like to keep it in playable condition due to it being a "C'.
Thanks
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Author: Lelia Loban ★2017
Date: 2016-04-07 17:12
I agree with Silversorcerer's suggestions. Obtaining the exact measurements is a great idea, because the best protection for an irreplaceable vintage mouthpiece is to use a modern one instead, if you can find one (or have one made) that's the right size to play in tune on your old clarinet.
Lelia
http://www.scoreexchange.com/profiles/Lelia_Loban
To hear the audio, click on the "Scorch Plug-In" box above the score.
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Author: Mojo
Date: 2016-04-07 17:23
About half of the wood mouthpieces I see have facings that are dimensionally unstable. I have measured some that a day later measure significantly different.
MojoMP.com
Mojo Mouthpiece Work LLC
MojoMouthpieceWork@yahoo.com
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2016-04-07 23:07
I keep them well oiled using natural oils (such as the Doctor's products). At least once a month for a mouthpiece is mandatory. Otherwise the presence of water in the wood will dictate the expansion and contraction......not good.
...............Paul Aviles
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Author: oian
Date: 2016-04-09 07:06
sorry, double post
Post Edited (2016-04-09 07:11)
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Author: oian
Date: 2016-04-09 07:32
The length including the mouth piece is just short of 23 1/4 inches. The corks are a little loose, but with the "Silly Putty" plastic wrap pad replacing the one that is missing all the notes seem to play OK. I play a bass clarinet so I'm still trying to get used to playing with the much smaller mouth piece. For it's age I think it is very good shape, No cracks or chips (repaired or otherwise). The finish on the wood only has a few small scratches. The instrument is marked LP C, and when "C" is fingered, it plays C
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Author: donald
Date: 2016-04-09 11:26
Performers on period instruments immerse their wooden mouthpieces in paraffin or almond oil- I have been told that you should do this "whenever the mouthpiece looks dry", and that this might be as often as every week. That's just what I've been told by professional musicians who perform on a daily basis using wooden mouthpieces.
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Author: oian
Date: 2016-04-13 08:36
Attachment: DSCN0042.JPG (646k)
Attachment: DSCN0020.JPG (604k)
The clarinet must have been sitting for some time, When I oiled the bore I had to swab it with oil four times before it stopped soaking it up, a couple more times than that for the mouthpiece. While I was oiling it, I took the keys off and polished them with jewelers rouge. Attached are before and after photos. The pads appear to be brown leather with pretty deep indentations where they seat. With the one missing pad replaced with "silly Putty"/Saran wrap, All the pads seal pretty well, so I may just replace that pad. It may however be a good time to take a stab at re-padding as Albert key system is pretty simple with all keys acting independently and no complicated linkages or adjustments. Most of the pads are pretty small (10mm), any suggestions on pad types?
Thanks for your help and suggestions.
Post Edited (2016-04-13 18:42)
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Author: oian
Date: 2016-04-13 19:08
Thanks, as a matter of fact, I was looking at the Prestini site yesterday and saw that they had several types of pads, thus the question about types. As for the tone holes They all look perfect with nice sharp edges. In fact if I couldn't see the grain of the wood on the surface of the instrument, I would think the holes were cut in hard rubber! It appears to have been made from a pretty fine, very dense, piece of wood. The sharp edges on the cut surfaces of the wood leads me to believe that the instrument didn't see much use, but the case sure took a beating, possibly just from age and where it was stored.
Thanks again for the advice
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