 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: crusius
Date: 2019-08-27 23:03
Hi all,
I've been looking around for string-ligature-ready mouthpieces to experiment with (ones with the notches for the string) now that I switched to string ligatures (and also switched to the CSG III).
The Wurlizter fo* looks interesting, as it seems to be designed for a "French system," but their site gives zero information of relevance about them. Is anybody using (or used) one that can comment on it? (Is it a long/short facing, open/closed, resistant, etc?)
Thanks!
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2019-08-28 01:17
The fo* does use French reeds. I just attempted to put it on my CSG and it appears to fit.
This was my first mouthpiece when I transitioned from the CSG to Wurlitzer reform-boehm. I used Vandoren 2.5's with it, which was another large transition from D'Addario 3.5's that I used with my previous French mpc.
I can't comment on whether it's open or closed, but I can see if the fulcrum point is as low as my PlayNick Austrian mpcs that I now play.
James
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: crusius
Date: 2019-08-28 03:13
Thanks James - at least what you have tells me the mouthpiece should take a much softer reed than what I'm used to with my M15, and that's good to know. I'm not sure I'm ready for another cycle of reed buying yet.
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2019-08-28 06:11
FWIW: a former student of mine, who came to me from
China, was playing a Wurlitzer mpc for french system clarinets and there were significant pitch issues.
So Wurlitzer may make these mpcs, but I don’t know that they transfer well to French system.
I’ll find the fulcrum point tomorrow and get back to you.
James
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: Wurlyman185
Date: 2019-08-28 06:58
I don't think the Fo* is designed for French bore instruments; as far as I know it is a German-style mouthpiece (the tenon is a snug fit on my Wurlitzers). It does take French reeds though – Bernd Wurlitzer told me that Vandoren V12 2.5 is a popular choice.
Post Edited (2019-08-28 07:00)
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Author: crusius
Date: 2019-08-28 07:05
Thanks all - I read reports of it working well with the CSG on this board before (in 2018 I believe), that's why I was interested in this model.
James - no need to go through the trouble. A single number won't tell me much, what I got from this thread is enough to discard it already. Thanks for the help though!
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Author: Jordan Selburn
Date: 2019-08-28 18:20
Crusius -
I play an fo* on my CSGIIs as my primary mouthpiece, and there are no issues of fit or unique intonation problems. It does take a somewhat softer reed than does my Fobes CF (which I also like) - I'd say ~1/2 to 3/4 lower strength.
Note that they make this mouthpiece for both French and German clarinets.
If you'd like to try it, let me know.
Jordan
Post Edited (2019-08-28 18:23)
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Author: crusius
Date: 2019-08-28 19:05
Thanks Jordan! I think it was your message I saw in 2018 that pointed me to this mouthpiece. I may take you up on your offer if I decide to go for it. Did you buy it online, sight unseen?
Also - do you know what do they mean when they say a mouthpiece is for the "French System"? The only thing I could find was reed related (well, "leaf" in their translation), but no mentions of things like different tenon dimensions.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2019-08-28 22:14
There are a number of factors, chiefly the size of reed (size of window German is smaller), length if mouthpiece (German is longer), shape of entrance into bore from tone chamber etc. etc.
............Paul Aviles
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2019-08-29 05:17
I'm not sure if this will help much. I have a few Wurlitzer mouthpieces and the bores are a bit small. So I find tuning is an issue even on the CSG horns. I haven't tried reboring the Wurlitzer mouthpieces, because this hasn't ever come up as a topic.
Paul stated this best. You can buy German reeds of course. I believe Sabine Meyer only uses 2 1/2 strength reeds with a close facing well under 1.0mm. She has her own reeds under Steuer reeds. I think I have some German reeds around the house so email me and I'll look around for the a 2 1/2 strength and send a few Steuers if interested.
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
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Author: Jordan Selburn
Date: 2019-08-29 05:24
I did get the fo* (and an fo) sight unseen - actually, their website picture was all I had in advance! :-) That, and some helpful descriptions from a poster on this site.
I had, however, been in contact with them beforehand and confirmed that not only do these (when ordered in the French option) use French-style reeds, but are designed to fit a French barrel and in general work with French bore clarinets. In fact, they fit my CSG's barrel sockets perfectly.
Also note that Wurlitzer was very accommodating regarding trial and return. I had sufficient time to try both (driving my wife and others crazy), and there was no problem returning one or both at the end though of course I kept the fo*.
FYI, lacking a string ligature at the time - I now use a VanDoren Klassik - I used a hair tie, which worked so well that I keep one in my case as an emergency backup.
Jordan
Post Edited (2019-08-29 05:25)
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Author: donald
Date: 2019-08-29 06:13
I have a Chinese student who plays one of these on a Buffet Vintage with a Zoom barrel... No intonation problems that are out of the ordinary...
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Author: crusius
Date: 2019-08-31 01:02
What Jordan said about them - designed to work with French bore clarinets - is what makes me want to give them a go. I wrote to Wurlitzer three days ago with a few questions, but no reply came my way yet.
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2019-08-31 16:51
It’s conceivable that my Chinese student had ordered or received the wrong type of mpc.
Glad to hear others able to employ the fo* on their CSG’s successfully!
James
Gnothi Seauton
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