The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Joey
Date: 1999-05-21 23:01
Has anyone here ever used one of C. Robert Scott's customized mouthpieces? Have you used any of his barrels? My clarinet instructor has been encouraging me to order a set for next year, but I would like to get info on them first. Any info will be appreciated.
_-~Joey~-_
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Author: stuart
Date: 1999-05-21 23:46
If you live near Lansing, you can visit him. He's a real nice guy. Richard Hawkins- who's also pretty hot on the mouthpiece market- studied refacing with him.
He taught me how to make reed from scratch but mine were awful so he gave me one his and it played well but tasted awful! Too much coffee maybe, I don't know.
But seriously, I never hurts to try out new stuff. Unless he charges you some ridiculous fee for that (I don't think he does). Try out a few of them and post your opinions!
Speaking of charging, I went to a famous clarinet players house (he will remain nameless, no it's not Richard Stolzman, but he IS famous, I read it in his bio) with a good friend who wanted to check out his mouthpieces and he charged my friend all these fees for sitting there on his butt while my friend tried out his stuff. What's up with that? This guy is one of the most paid clarinetists out there and he wants to charge some broke college kid for questionable services. The mouthpieces, which were extremely pricey, didn't even work out. Unfortunately, after the consulting fee, my friend felt like he needed to by something or he would have wasted money! I respect peoples time and their right to get paid- but why should we ever get greedy and treat each other like corrupt lawyers?
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Author: Grover
Date: 1999-05-22 11:48
This is the first time I have heard Scotty referred to as "C. Robert Scott," but then, I do live in the Lansing area and I have known him for years. Occaisionally, I've played clarinet in a pick-up woodwind quartet with him (he usually plays oboe) and we'll run through some chamber music.
He is known throughout the country for his repair work and although I haven't personally purchased a barrel or mouthpiece from him, I have known many people who have tried one of his barrels and have found them to be preferable to what they had before.
He has been repairing instruments since some time in the 1950's and has been self-employed in this capacity since 1963. At present, he is in his 70's, but still continues his practice. They did a nice one-page piece on him in the local paper a year ago, which I kept of course.
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Author: Joey
Date: 1999-05-23 05:37
Hi! Wow, thanks for all the info on Scott. Although I do not know him personally (I don't live in Lansing, lower TX actually), I am encouraged to purchase a couple of products from him.
Actually, I am currently a High School Junior, heading on to Senior year, but I want to prepare myself for college as soon as possible. I am greatly leaning toward making music my career, but if it doesn't work, I will do something highly connected with it. I play on attending either University of North Texas, West Texas A&M, or another school with both excellent academics and music programs.
When my teacher told me about Scott's mpcs and barrels, he said that one didn't work out for him, but that Scott was happy to give him some advice. My instructor had listened to his college prof Dr. Pino a couple of times when he played on one of Scott's mpcs. He was amazed at the sound and ordered one. The thing is, he ordered something close to Pino's mpc. I know that mpcs award different sounds for different players, but my teacher didn't know that Pino makes his own reeds, which in turn hindered the performance of his mpc (he uses plain-day Vs, like I do).
Anyway, Mr. Estrada (my teacher) decided to order another Scott mpc along with one of his barrels. Scott gave him a price of $80 for the mpc and $40 for the barrel (which I find extremely inexpensive) and he encouraged me to do the same. I realize Scott has become well known for his handmade clarinet products, and I believe I am going to try and order a Mpc and Barrel as early as this week (hopefully I will have them for most of the summer, I hear Scott is busy at Interlochen during this time). I thank you all for the valuable info on Mr. Scott and his undoubtable fairness when it comes to making his prices for at times perfect strangers. Hmmm, wonder if he'll ever decide to open a line of "C. Robert Scott Clarinets"? Not a bad idea. Thank you gentlemen for you profound info.
Joey Garza
ljclarinetguy@yahoo.com
La Joya High School- Head Drum Major (1999-2000)
Valedictorian Sr Class 2000 (????? Haven't found out yet)
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Author: Daniel
Date: 1999-05-24 04:20
A friend of mine bought an old Alexandre a clarinet that had a Scott barrel with it. Personally, for a synthetic barrel, i liked it. There are a few schools in the Houston area that outfit their clarinet section with his barrels, they are better than most stock barrels, yet affordable to buy several of them for a whole section. I'm not sure about his mouthpieces though.
I would mainly consider buying one of his barrels for tunning adjustments... but i am a bit prejudiced against synthetic barrels.
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Author: Melody Eriksen
Date: 1999-05-24 05:46
Hello!
I attend the University of North Texas and I use a Scott barrel. I found that it improved my sound as well as the sound of a friend of mine. I play on a Buffet R-13.. she has a different instrument, but it totally opened up her sound. I really like it!!!
By the way, I'm from Brownsville. . .went to Los Fresnos (class of '93).
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Author: Mark Charette, Webmaster
Date: 1999-05-24 11:48
Daniel wrote:
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but i am a bit prejudiced against synthetic barrels.
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At least you're honest. I know a few musicians who claim that they can tell the difference between a good wood & plastic barrel - but none will take me up on a blind test using 20 barrels with 100 bucks on the line.
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Author: jsquard
Date: 2013-09-17 21:04
Yes, I purchased one many moons ago in high school band 1997-1991) and loved how it imporved my tone and sound. Less lip strain. It was suggested by my lesson tutor and I still have it. Now, my daughter is in band and I can't wait for her to use it when she is ready. I would highly recommend it.
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