 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: A.Nori
Date: 2024-08-26 20:51
Does anyone use “Clark Fobes” mouthpieces?
I recently tried one of his mouthpieces and was very impressed. I have tried the Europa and CWF and I really like the CWF.
I would like to hear what everyone thinks about Fobes mouthpieces.
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Author: kdk
Date: 2024-08-26 21:18
I haven't played anything from the Europa model line. Clark's mouthpieces are generally very easy- and free-blowing. They're all very good.
If you don't already, you should know that CWF is not one mouthpiece. There are three facings - the C, the W, and the F. There's a small dot above the letter on the back of the mouthpiece to identify which it is. The measurements are
C facing: tip=0.95mm; length=16mm
W facing: tip=1.00mm; length=17mm
F facing: tip=1.05mm; length=18mm
I have intermittently played the W facing and like it very much.
Karl
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2024-08-26 22:23
As far as free blowing goes, I'd say the CWFs are the ones that are more free blowing. I have one Fobes that just wasn't performing great so I had him impose the same facing I have on a an old Hawkins. It still was not what I needed, so Clark pulled out a CWF and put that facing on that one. It was magical. The only difference is the bore which Clark said is based on a Zinner A model blank (not to be confused with an A-Frame which is a tone chamber that is wider at the top than the bottom).
...........Paul Aviles
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Author: A.Nori
Date: 2024-08-27 03:47
When I inquired with Fobes about trying it before, they graciously sent me three different facings.
I liked C and W and settled on W.
I can really blow freely.
Reed bought a MORRE 4.5 from Fobes as well and uses it.
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Author: LFabian
Date: 2024-08-27 08:44
I am currently using Mr. Fobes mouthpieces:
The Cicero, Europa, CWF,, 4K and now latest, the Virtuoso. I love them all. All dependable and related. I’m getting well acquainted with his latest, the Virtuoso. The Virtuoso demands perfection from its user otherwise it’s just another mouthpiece.
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Author: A.Nori
Date: 2024-08-27 11:29
I am very interested in mouthpieces other than CWF, including Virtuoso.
Am I correct in understanding that only CWF has different blanks?
I also tried the NOVA CF + and it was reasonably priced compared to the other mouthpieces, yet very good.
My reeds seem to be too hard for the NOVA, but with softer reeds it sounds very nice.
I would like to know what kind of reeds you use with Fobes mouthpieces, if you don't mind me asking.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2024-08-27 14:53
You can ask Clark about the bore/tone chamber differences of his mouthpieces and I'm sure he can give you a better response. All I know is that the old Hawkins (R facing) that I had used for years is best replicated with the bore style of the CWF. Perhaps he uses that on some other models as well?
.............Paul Aviles
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Author: Ed
Date: 2024-08-27 15:24
I have used Clark's mouthpieces for years. They are always very well designed and quite reasonably priced.
The designs of his three models- 10K, CWF and Virtuoso are all very slightly different. These are made from blanks that he designed and which are manufactured from rod rubber by Wes Rice.
Recently I had the opportunity to try the Nova, which is priced comparatively to the mass market mouthpieces out there. This one is made by Babbitt. Clark has recently worked with them to tweak and refine the design. I am very impressed with this mouthpiece as well.
Clark's mouthpieces are always beautifully designed and well crafted with a high level of refinement. His mouthpieces are very playable and reed friendly. Some describe them as free blowing. I always find that they have a comfortable level of resistance and hold without some of the "tight" or restricted feel I get from some makers. His mouthpieces are flexible with lots of color and an easy response.
Clark is always very responsive to emails and calls and will help guide you to find the mouthpiece that will best suit your needs. He always has my highest recommendation.
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Author: kdk
Date: 2024-08-27 16:46
LFabian wrote:
> ...The Virtuoso
> demands perfection from its user otherwise it’s just another
> mouthpiece.
What does this mean?
Karl
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Author: S.Takuto
Date: 2024-08-29 19:32
Now I am also trying CWF and Nova!
I had my own professor try the CWF and he said it is a very nice mouthpiece, reminiscent of the now defunct ZINNER.
The breath is just easy to get into. It seems to be a little difficult to put the tones together, but after trying it for a week, I'm getting the hang of it.
Mouthpieces with such a narrow opening and thin rail are almost impossible to find in Japan.
All I can find are mouthpieces with thick rails and dark tones.
This is not so bad, but the trend is far from my taste....
I wish mouthpieces like Fobes or BEHN were available in Japan...
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Author: LFabian
Date: 2024-08-29 19:40
Let me put in the words of an old baseball cliche, “it’s my 4th place hitter.” Think Ohtani.
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Author: super20dan
Date: 2024-08-30 06:51
my fobes cwf alto mpc is the best i ever played by far. my bass model isnt as good but still a fine mpcs if you use only cane reeds
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Author: Ed
Date: 2024-08-30 17:55
Quote:
This is not so bad, but the trend is far from my taste....
I wish mouthpieces like Fobes or BEHN were available in Japan...
Have you contacted Clark to see if he will ship to you? Maybe ask Clark if he has a distributor over there. If not, there are probably a number of retailers in the US or other places who will ship to Japan.
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Author: S.Takuto
Date: 2024-08-30 18:39
Mr. Ed.
I am a private importer for both BEHN and FOBES. Both are very nice and willing to send me to Japan, which is really helpful.
Conversely, many people try to solve their problems only with mouthpieces sold in Japan if they do not know that such mouthpieces exist, since they can only be obtained through private importation.
In Japan, besides VANDOREN, Playnick, RICOSTINI, and Atelier Schmid mouthpieces are sold in music stores; many people do not know about FOBES and BEHN, and music stores do not seem to be very interested in them.
In Japan, a kind of mouthpiece faith with wide openings and thick rails is spreading more and more. Mouthpieces with narrow rails and narrow openings seem to be treated as heretics.
Not long ago, there were many players using M15s and the like, but in Japan even these are fewer and fewer, and it is a miracle if a music store has one in stock.
The students were very impressed when they tried the Nova, because it's not often you get to touch a mouthpiece with a narrower opening than the 5RV.
Several students had problems with blurred tones and were pleased to find that the NOVA seemed to solve the problem.
I will let them try a few more things, but I think they are suffering from the problem that the mouthpieces available in Japan are all wide-opening and thick-railed.
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Author: Ed
Date: 2024-08-31 14:36
Hopefully some will try these mouthpieces and see what lovely qualities in tone and flexibility they can bring to their playing
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Author: Ralph Katz
Date: 2024-09-07 00:57
My teeth are not straight and my mouthpieces ultimately warp. Doesn't matter who made them, what kind of patch I use, etc.
The last time this happened, mostly out of curiosity, I got a Debut, and was amazed at how well it worked. I could blow like mad in a wind ensemble and pitch would stay under control. But after a conductor complained that I sounded too bright. But also, I suspect that I will have a bright sound after a few weeks on any mouthpiece. I got a Nova, found it darker for me, and have been using it for a couple of years.
After decades of wearing out Van Doren mouthpieces, I am amazed at how well these moderately priced mouthpieces have worked for me, but am about to step up. News at 11.
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Author: A.Nori
Date: 2024-09-10 10:23
Ralph Katz
Nice!
Babbitt Blank's Nova and Wesley Rice Blank's 10K are very different. In a good way, of course.
Fobes will suggest a good mouthpiece from his lineup if you discuss your ideals with him. Please send him an email!
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