 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: NTSOG
Date: 2017-01-15 02:57
Hello,
I am an old clarinetist, but new to this site and in need of some help. Due to the creative grinding of a long-time chipped front tooth by a dentist I have had to modify my embouchure. Hence I have been testing some mouthpieces I have, but not used. One of them came with a 1954 Selmer full-Boehm [centred tone] Bb clarinet that has gold plated keys. I am in Australia, but believe this old Selmer came to Australia via Europe, probably Germany or Luxemburg. It has three promotional stickers plastered on the case written in German. [One reads "Jazz oder nie!" or, in English, "Jazz or nothing!" - I believe that this model is or was popular with jazz players??] I have a Vandoren B45 on that it and it plays well.
The old mouthpiece in question is playing well on a new Selmer St. Louis. It is marked "Paris" at the base in a small decorative "scroll" and has SML below the scroll. On the side is N 3. It is an almost green-brown colour and contrasts with the shiny black of more modern mouthpieces. I suspect N 3 will refer to tip opening or similar - it plays very freely.
Any advice would be appreciated,
Jim
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Author: dubrosa22
Date: 2017-01-15 03:48
S.M.L. (Strasser Marigaux Lemaire) produced intermediate and professional saxophones, clarinets and oboes (and stencilled flutes) from the 1930s until the 1970s. The remaining business Marigaux still produce very fine oboes today.
Their saxes are quite highly regarded and sought after. I have a early 1950s alto sax. Beautiful instrument for classical or jazz.
Their clarinets range in quality depending on the stamp. 'Strasser' instruments were student, 'S.M.L.' were intermediate and 'Marigaux' were professional. If I remember correctly.
Their S.M.L. stamped mouthpieces for saxophones were actually made by Riffault and were stamped with 'R3', 'R4', etc. for its facing size. My alto sax S.M.L. mouthpiece was a nice rounded chamber piece that had a rich, mellow tone. But a bit inflexible for my tastes though (I play a 'short shank' Selmer Soloist), so I sold it.
I don't know if Riffault made S.M.L.s clarinet mouthpieces too, but it's possible.
Vaughan
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Author: NTSOG
Date: 2017-01-15 05:09
Thank you Vaughan. I will follow up your information.
Jim.
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