Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2001-09-28 13:59
Eugene,
The Woodwind and Brasswind ships to Canada (I'll bet International and Muncy Winds do, too). For U.S. customers they have a return policy. I don't know why it wouldn't apply to Canadian customers but it should be easy to check. Their selection is not enormous (there just aren't that many options out there for alto clarinet) but they have mouthpieces by Bay, Hite, Portnoy, Bundy, four different Selmers (including the C*, all priced at US$87.95), two Vandorens (5RV and B44, both @ US$81.95), three different Woodwind models and an inexpensive Yamaha plastic. Assuming their U.S. policies apply to Canada, they will ship 3-at-a-time for you to try. Unless they've changed their policy recently, if you keep one, there is no restocking fee for the ones you return. If you don't keep any, there is a restocking fee of $2-$3 per mouthpiece. (But be sure to use mouthpiece patches on the beak and under the ligature because they won't ttake them back if you scratch them up.) This makes it possible for you to try before you buy at a reasonable cost so that you avoid getting stuck with an expensive lemon. Give them a call at 1-800-348-5003 (I think that number works from Canada) and ask them to outline their policies (or check Sneezy Resources for one of the other numbers). There's no reason you should have to pay so much without even the option of a return.
I suspect the reason no one has stepped forward to tell you which mouthpiece is best, or even how the different ones play, is that the answers vary from individual to individual. The model instrument you have, the brand and strength of reed you try, your embouchure and even your facial structure can make a difference. Mouthpiece selection is simply too individual for you to rely on the opinions of others. Given that, coupled with the fact that, except maybe for Gary Van Cott, most of us (even those who have an alto) don't play it all that much, you will probably do as well trying random selection.
You can get a mouthpiece chart from WW&BW. In fact (I haven't tried, though), you can probably view one at their site (www.woodwindbrasswind.com). I notice that, as alto clarinet mouthpieces go, the Vandorens and Woodwinds are relatively close, the Selmers are relatively open and you can find Bundy and Hite mouthpieces in between. You could start off by trying one of the Vandorens, one of the Selmers and a Hite (note that the Selmers will probably want a "lighter" reed than the Vandorens). If one of them grabs you, your search is over. If none grabs you, decide which end of the open -close spectrum you prefer focus your next search there.
Best of luck with your search. (FWIW, my favorite alto mouthpiece is a Chedeville-made Buffet that I picked up on eBay for $35.)
Best regards,
jnk
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