 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: lala
Date: 2001-11-03 08:57
I am seriously considering replacing my Vandoren B45. It is a nice, easygoing mouthpiece with good response but it lacks character. I've heard that Bay mouthpieces are wonderful. As the local shops do not sell them, I have to buy through mail order. Is there anyone playing on Bay mouthpiece? Are they well worth every cent of $200 (I never ordered anything THAT expensive through mail)? Are they of consistent quality?
Please help. Thanks.
Lala
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2001-11-03 14:03
I've played lots of Bay mouthpieces and even have one right now that I use on occasion. I recommend the Bay Kaspar style (H1) in the M-O-M (Medium Open Medium Facing).
Or, you might want to try a Gregory Smith mouthpiece. He has a mouthpiece that is $175.00, as well as a Kaspar model that is $200.00. I play the Kaspar model and am very happy with it.
Both these makers can be contacted directly through email or telephone. Look up Charles Bay's information under the Equipment link here on Sneezy. Gregory Smith is a sponsor. It's good for them to know what kind of clarinet you play, so you might want to at least email them with your inquiries. Both will let you try several at a time.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Robert Small
Date: 2001-11-03 18:11
I use Morgans on my sopranos and a Bay on my bass. All very good pieces. WW/BW (1-800-348-5003) might have some Bays in stock you can try out for a small fee (plus shipping). Or, as Brenda mentioned, you can deal directly with Charlie. (818-706-3309)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: William
Date: 2001-11-03 18:21
I've owned and used a custom Bay clarinet mpc since 1971 (Ithica, NY) and have never been disappointed. I'm currently using a Kasper #14 along with my old reliable Bay, but I have a great Greg Smith "Cicero" Kasper model for backup in my case. IMHO, Greg Smith is more accessable and easier to work with (at least, for us in the mid-west) than the Bay folks, but if urgency is not a factor, Charlie Bay's products are well worth the wait. However, you cannot "go wrong" with either Greg or Bay mpcs. I also use Bay custom thumb rests--very comfortable for those long gigs. Good Clarineting!!!!!!!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Robert Small
Date: 2001-11-03 18:59
I found Charlie to be pleasant to work with but he's slow. To get a piece (custom made) can take several months. If he has what you're looking for in stock maybe a couple of weeks.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Tim2
Date: 2001-11-03 19:12
I've played a Bay for at least 25 years. With my Moening barrel and R13, I get a solid, focused, dark sound. This is what I aim for. I remember the day I tried it and the impression it made on me. I was using a Selmer single start mouthpiece on a Selmer student model horn. I had always been told as a HS kid that my tone was good. But when I put the Bay mouthpiece on my horn and played, from the first note, I thought, how clear and focused the sound is, how much easier it is to produce the sound I want. And the sound I ended up with was/is wonderful.
I have no need to play on any other mouthpiece.
I don't know if you can try before you buy. I did. I tried another person's Bay mouthpiece and was absolutely convinced right away that this was the one for me.
See if it is possible to try one before you buy. If you have to travel a little, it may be worth it.
I wish you luck on the quest for the sound you want.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: jbutler
Date: 2001-11-03 20:11
I saw Charles Bay at TBA (Tx Bandmaster's Association) and asked if he could touch up my Bay Kaspar 13 copy I bought from him back in the early 80's. That was in July and after several emails I still don't know what's going on with it. I emailed him several weeks ago to let me know how much to just ship it back.....still no answer! Now, this is just my experience. I did get a Greg Smith mouthpiece since. Greg sent me six different mouthpiece facing to try out and then after I selected the facing I wanted (after shipping the other five back) he sent me three more of the same facing to comapre and select from. Top Drawer if you aske me!
jbutler
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Robert Small
Date: 2001-11-04 00:24
Maybe Charlie is out of the country. Try calling him by phone (number above).
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: lala
Date: 2001-11-04 13:56
Thanks everyone. I have actually tried one Bay H2, and found it took greater strength to play but the sound was amazingly focused and very dark. My only doubt is whether the quality is so consistent that I can buy one without trying (I live in Hong Kong where local shops only sell Vandoren and Yamaha). As so many recommend it, I am more ready to order one or two
(I am eyeing the crystal, too).
BTW, is it safe to order anything by mail? Are the post offices doing anything to prevent the spreading of anthrax?
Good playing!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: William
Date: 2001-11-04 16:35
Unfortunately, the anthrax assult, by persons yet unknown, caught everyone by surprize and our federal folks and the US Postal Service is still trying to figure out how to handle the situation. Bottom line is, no one really knows how far spread this problem is, but the chances for contamination seem to be quite low, considering the billions of pieces of mail processed every hour and the few people that have actually been affected. Just a thought, perhaps you could have the mpcs sent to you via Fed Ex or some other less public and equally secure delivery system. Hope you find success with Charlies mpcs, as I previously said, I have always liked mine, but mine is a 'vintage' Bay mpc (from his Ithica, NY days) and the facing was a direct copy of my precious Kasper #14, which I mailed to him in 1971 for duplication. I think that now he is using different blanks and is mass producing his most successful personal models. I do have one of his recent (1990) "Kasper" style models (MO-M H1pY 1412) and I do not like it as much as my old custom (1971) Bay. Good Clarineting in HK!!!
PS--IMHO, one of the great pleasures of this forum is commincating with the international clarinet coummunity. Nice to hear from you (and to enjoy the freedom to be able to do so).
William--MidWest, USA
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Hiroshi
Date: 2001-11-04 23:56
Greg Smith's Chedeville style mouthpiece may be easier to shift from B45 rather than his Kasper style.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Sara
Date: 2001-11-05 02:55
Actually, I have very little trouble with the transition. I marched with a B45 but I play a greg smith kasper for concert stuff, so I would go from a b45 to my kasper for lessons right after marching practice.
Sara
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ed
Date: 2001-11-05 16:17
It seems to be a regular question "Is this mouthpiece worth $$$?" It is if it is worth it to you. Or in other words, if you like it and it does what you want comfortably. You really have to try them and see for yourself what is best for you. You may find it easier to get a Bay from one of the catalogue places, as it may be faster. Or, possibly for trial at least, and then contact him when you know what you like. Bay makes great stuff, but can be very slow. I dealt with him yearsw ago and that was the case then, and everything I have heard tells me that it is still the same now. You may also wish to try Clark Fobes mouthpieces. They are really fine products.
http://www.clarkwfobes.com/
Clark is extremely knowledgeable and VERY easy to deal with. Good luck.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2001-11-05 16:53
I agree Charles Bay can be slow, but his mouthpieces are quite nice and you couldn't ask for nicer gentleman. But, Gregory Smith is pretty quick to get stuff out to you and is also a fantastic gentleman. Either of the two are well worth their fee for their mouthpieces. There is a world of difference between a stock, over-the-counter mouthpiece like Vandoren and a Smith or Bay handmade. Both Smith and Bay will work with you to customize whatever you want on your mouthpiece. I asked Gregory to match my Kaspar Cicero 13 on the grenadilla wood mouthpiece he made for me and he did an EXCELLENT job! My highest recommendations go to him.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: James
Date: 2001-11-05 17:30
I have to say everyone is crazy in this room!!! Becuase I have not heard one person mention the Richard Hawkins Mouthpiece. Maybe because he hasn't been around as long as bay and these other mouthpiece makers but his mouthpieces are just pure amazing and they are only $100.00 compared to bays mouthpieces which if find to be not even close to as good as the richard hawkins and rediculously overpriced. Concact Richard, ATLEAST try his mouthpieces you will be pleasently surprised by the quality. I believe his email address is HawkinsRG@aol.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Fred
Date: 2001-11-05 18:25
James, I think you went overboard. If someone wants to spend $200 on a proven commodity that plays like heaven, why does that make them crazy? Horns run in the thousands, and people buy new ones for incremental improvements. So a great mouthpiece at $200 is OK (NOTE: It had better be GREAT for my $$.)
As for Hawkins, I haven't heard that much comment on his mp's. Maybe that's why he's selling them for $100; I bought a Bay in about 1966 for $20-25. As the name grows, the price might also.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: lala
Date: 2001-11-06 01:15
Wow, so many have customized mouthpiece while I can only dream to have one. The time I tried a Bay H2 (the Chedeville style I believe), my feel was that it would take me quite a while to get used to such a different mouthpiece but the sound ...yes, it was heaven on earth. My clarinet ego is only 3 years old, but my classical music lover ego is 20 and I have a sort of 'ideal' sound I wish to produce on my clarinet. So far that Bay is the nearest thing I can find.
My problem is not the pricetag - better live on bread and water for good music! My problem is that I have to buy something so important without actually trying, and if I make the wrong choice, it would probably take me quite a while to find out.
Bays are obviously not mass produced like Vandoren and I suppose every Bay has its own character. That's what fascinates me, but I am also anxious because I would not be able to adjust anything (I can't find any mouthpiece tech in Hong Kong).
I am eyeing the Greg Smith ads but cannot figure out the 1, 1+ and 1*.
And what about crystal? Has anyone tried that?
Good playing!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Hiroshi
Date: 2001-11-06 04:51
I have both of a Bay and a Greg Smith Kasper style. I had an original Kasper-cicero too, which I lost several years ago with my Buffet RC.
Looking at my Greg Smith Kasper style, its shape resembles precisely that of my original Kasper-cicero, which is characterized by its small width table narrowing down to the end and its overall smalleness of contour. But my Bay MOM mouthpiece shape does not resemle that of my original Kasper-cicero obviously. Too big for my small mouth. Is his mouthpiece designed on Kasper-Andeauver(spell?)?, not Kasper-cicero or Chicago?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2001-11-06 13:44
I have owned 2 Hawkins mouthpieces and didn't keep either one of them. Although I agree that they are excellent mouthpieces, when compared directly with my Smiths and Bays, they didn't make the cut. I don't think I'm crazy, but then again, no crazy person thinks they're crazy. Maybe we all are crazy. Who would know? What difference would it make in the scope of things?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Peter
Date: 2001-11-06 15:58
Lala,
Why don't you e-mail Greg Smith and pose your questions directly to him?
I haven't tried his mouthpieces yet, but have read some of the interesting things he's written and communicated directly with him on a small scale.
I find him so knowledgeable and unbiased that the next time I decide to purchase a mouthpiece I plan to try his out.
I especially like the way he can discuss other people's products on their own merits without comparing them to his own. I mean at times when the discussion may not be centered on his product line, but include product lines which could bear comparisons to his.
There have also been some excellent recommendations as to his business practices.
(I swear I'm not on Greg Smith's payroll!!!)
Peter
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Iceland clarinet
Date: 2006-11-02 13:53
When you buy hand made mouthpieces it's best to try at least 2 pieces of the same facing since they vary in tonecolor and resistance. I have for example two Charles Bay H2 M-M mouthpieces and they play bit different one is a little bit more flexibel and other is a little bit more resistance and is darker. When you try machine made mouthpieces like Vandoren you are taking small risk by trying say our friends mouthpieces and then buy it without being able to return the mouthpiece.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
