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Re: Checking mpc table/curve accuracy

Author: kdk
Date: 2017-04-20 05:44

Dan Shusta wrote:

> I just
> got through using this method to check a mouthpiece that seemed
> a bit resistant to me and found that the only truly flat
> section of the table was from about 8mm below the window to the
> beginning of the facing curve. When I pushed on the middle of
> the table where the base of the reed actually rests, the glass
> actually “pulled away” from the facing starting at the
> bottom of the window all the way up!
>
> So, if you’ve been experiencing some difficulties with your
> mouthpiece or would like to have a very accurate method of
> checking out table flatness and facing curve symmetry

Mouthpiece tables aren't always meant to be flat. As Bob Bernardo suggests, many mouthpieces are made deliberately with a slight concave curve in the table ("French curve" because it was - still is - used in many French-style mouthpieces) beginning at just about the top of the ligature so the reed is pressed into the gap. The purpose is to give more spring to the reed than it would have if resting against a completely flat table. It avoids the problems caused by a table that's meant to be flat but isn't, in ways that are uneven and random. The curve is shallow but is enough to prevent the middle area of the table from contacting the glass when you use this method to check the facing.

Karl

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