 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Sara
Date: 2001-09-26 04:23
I was wondering, I got the original mouthpiece with this clarinet that I got off of Ebay, that the serial number dated to 1965, according the the boosey and haeks website and it had amouthpiece in it that looked so incredibly close to my Greg Smith. It even has the number scratched into it, like my handmade. Is it possible that the "stock'" mouthpieces that came with these horns could have handmade or top quality mouthpieces sold with them. I mean I just now thought about the possibility when I was reading the thread about Kaspers being hard to find. I'd love to learn more. I never thougt to try the mouthpiece because I figured since it was stock, that it was crap. Well thanks for taking the time to read this. Hope someone can help me here!
Sara
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2001-09-26 14:49
According to Dave Tuttle, who appears to be an experienced dealer in Chicago and who frequently sells good older mouthpieces on eBay, Chedeville made the "stock" mouthpieces for Buffet for a period of time. This is also corroborated by Greg Smith. (Search the bulletin board for "Greg Smith Chedeville good blank" without the quotes to find his message.) They were marked on the back with the "Evette & Schaeffer," "Evette" and "Buffet" logos, depending on which instrument they were to be sold with. According to Dave, Buffet refaced the ones with the Buffet logo but did not reface the Evette & Schaeffers. (He doesn't say anything about the Evettes. I know they exist because I have one. I doubt they were refaced but don't know for sure.
It's quite possible, given the date of your instrument, that you have one. The identifying markings are: (1) the word "France" (without quotes) to the left of the table, just above the tenon, (2) a letter, e.g., B or C, to the right of the table, just above the tenon, and (3) a pattern of ligature lines with one upper line below the beak and three fairly close together lower lines just above the tenon (with the logo in between). If you can find the pictures of the 1941 Buffet brochure, there is at least one picture of the mouthpiece (or, at least, where you can see the mouthpiece clearly) that shows you what they look like. If your mouthpiece has these markings, at the very least, you probably have a very good blank.
Again, according to Dave Tuttle, the letter to the right of the table serves as a lot identification number. However, the brochure suggests that it might identify a particular facing. The most common ones I have seen are C and B. There is also a C-crown mouthpiece that may be among the Chedevilles. The Buffet brochure identifies others. These mouthpieces are actually rather common. The frequently come with older Buffets that one finds in pawn shops and on eBay and turn up on eBay quite regularly. Lately, they seem to be selling in the $80 -- $100 range but when they first began turning up I remember seeing one that sold for around $500. (IMHO, that buyer overpaid.)
Lately, I came across an E&S with similar markings, except that there is no "France" and the three ligature lines are spread further apart. I think it is a more recent mouthpiece (but not of the current vintage) but don't know if it is still from a Chedeville blank. Anyone out there know for sure? I haven't cleaned it up or sterilized it yet (there is alot of orange crud on the inside) so I don't know how it plays.
What is scratched into it? It could be that someone has already refaced it. In any case, it's probably a keeper. (or, at least, might bring a high enough price to reduce the cost of your E&S significantly ;^) ).
Best regards,
jnk
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: mw
Date: 2001-09-26 15:56
There is also a Chedeville blank with an "A" facing under (at least) the Buffet line, as I own some of them. I, too, believe Dave (eBay: TUTDAV) to be reputable. He has made certain observations that I have been unable to verify. I am bothered whenever I canNOT verify, confirm or even get anybody else, anywhere, to agree or to acknowledge the issue or subject. mw
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Author: dan powell
Date: 2001-09-26 22:57
these ched.blanks also came with buffet saxes of the same period and are of very good quality .
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Author: mw
Date: 2001-09-27 00:47
but the lines are not similar, at least not on mine. mw
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