 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Dave
Date: 2001-12-05 02:03
I recently purchased a used clarinet. With it came a Charles Bay "Ithaca " mouthpiece. I'd like to know a little more about it. It is labeled in script:
0532 Charles Bay
Ithaca (N.Y.) College
I was told the 0532 is not a serial number but means that it has a 1.05mm tip opening and 16mm lay. It is an early Ithaca before M-OM type nomenclature was used. The 1963 E&S Master it came with is in little used condition and the mouthpiece is almost mint. They came from the Ithaca, N.Y. area. The mouthpiece is probably about the same vintage as the clarinet.
The mouthpiece has one upper ligature line and two lower ligature lines. What kind of blanks were used for these...Riffault, Chedeville? It sounds very nice. How do these compare in sound quality to Bay's more recent offerings? I haven't had the opportunity to try them. Are these mouthpieces collectible? I'd almost rather make a trade or sell it to get in the hands of someone who will appreciate it for that and get a more recent offering if that makes sense. I do know though that Bay doesn't offer them in this small a tip opening any more.
Dave
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Author: dennis
Date: 2001-12-05 02:40
Dave..... I, too, have a Bay mp from that era (mid 60's). I can't help you on all your questions but I'll share this......Script writing was pre70, probably early to mid 60's. The 0532 represents the tip opening of 1.05 and a facing of 32. Mine also has LM in cap letters and is 0534. Also, the profile is small, somewhat like a Vandoren Profile 88 . I know what all this represents as I recently spoke with Charlie and he intrepreted it and was wayyyyy surprised that I still had it from 1965..
It should read ...Charles Bay, Ithaca, (N.Y) College. .....all in script. Yes, it plays nice but I never asked what blanks he used in those days.
Please......give Charlie Bay a call or email him (he's listed in the SNEEZY Retail)
He's a nice gentleman and will answer any questions regarding your Bay mp. Even if he's out of town (country) he'll answer your email when he returns.
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Author: jbutler
Date: 2001-12-05 03:08
Don't count on the email returns. Still waiting on replies from September and October. Just glad I don't run my business this way....just venting......he's had one of my moutpieces for almost five months now. I bought it from him in the early 80's. I spoke with him at a convention about a "touch up". "Sure, just send it to me" was the reply. He has answered only one email. I had to call him by phone. Said he would get it out the next week. That was in September. I could care less if I ever get it back or do business with him again. I'm happy with my Greg Smith that I purchased since I couldn't get my Bay back. Mr Smith is a great person who appreciates his customers.
jbutler
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Author: Bill
Date: 2001-12-05 16:08
Fascinating thread for me---I have an "Ithaca" Bay. I've read enthusiastic remarks from an old-timer on the "Klarinet" forum who I respect---he says these were (all) made from Ched blanks. Well, mine wasn't! It's a fine mouthpiece---more than fine, excellent---but the blank seems not to made of hard rubber. I'm not whining---one of my very favorite mpcs is a plastic Bay "Equalizer"---but I was surprised to find that (one of) these great, "classic," Ithacas was turned out on what looks like the same physical material as they used to use for the old "Bic" lighters. --Bill.
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Author: Bill
Date: 2001-12-05 16:14
P.S. (referring to jbutler post) What is it with music tech people, that some of them make you wait so long for service? I've been lucky in my life to find a GREAT piano tuner, a very good clarinet repair guy, and someone who has routinely refaced my (many) mpcs (and whose name is very well-known). In each case, I have come to the conclusion after patronizing them multiple times, that I will not do any further business with them---they just totally forgot about my project(s) and I had to hound them for work and return of stuff. As a repeat buyer, why don't I get the service I got when I was a new customer?! --Bill.
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Author: Aussie Nick
Date: 2001-12-06 00:12
I agree with jbutler. I don't know how Charles Bay can run a buisness the way he does. My local music store has been expecting a shipment of mouthpieces and accessories since this time last year. Of course, they did't arrive, and so after sending numerous emails and making phone calls, Charles finally replied and said they are on their way and will arrive here by April for a clarinet convention here. They didn't turn up. A few months later,in about August, after talking on the phone, he said they were in the post and would arrive in a week. Since then, no word. I too have emailed him to ask what is going on, and I was surprised to get replies from him.
Since giving up on ever getting to try these Bay mouthpieces, I have bought a Viotto mouthpiece and am more than happy.
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Author: Dave
Date: 2001-12-06 11:10
This thread sure didn't follow path I originally intended. I was hoping for a discussion regarding the differences between newer and older Bay mouthpieces and collectibility interest.
Dave
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Author: Peter
Date: 2001-12-06 15:18
Dave,
With all due respect to you and your last comment about this thread going in a different direction:
Let me first say that I have never owned a Bay mouthpiece, never dealt with Charles Bay, but if I ever had any notion of doing so, I was disabused of it by reading the stories in this, as well as other threads, where people almost flock out of the woodwork to tell of their negative experiences with Charles Bay's handling of his clients.
Still, most agree his mouthpieces are good, just not necessarily good enough to have to deal with his customer service and delivery practices. So, apparently, with any number of dis-satisfied clients at hand, you are bound to hear from them every time his name is brought up.
Now, let me defend, at least, one of these technicians who take a very long time in getting things done.
I took my "A" clarinet for an overhaul, to a local technician who is in very high demand. He had it for more than six months. When I first took it to him, he told me he was very busy, and could not guarantee when I would get it back, but would try to have it "maybe in about a couple of weeks, but not before."
Then I said, "While you are at it, why don't you re-do all the hardware in gold?" He said, O.K., but that will probably cost you another couple of weeks.
I said, "Take your time, don't worry about it. I want you to do the best job possible and not feel rushed. You give it back to me when you reasonably can, it's not like the world's top symphonies are beating a path to my door!"
I stopped by periodically during those six months plus, and every time he apologized for not having it ready I told him I just came in to say hello, and hung out for a little while, shooting the breeze with him while he worked.
The result: Six months later I picked up one of the most beautifully finished, adjusted and fine-tuned instruments I have ever seen!!! Including logos and serial numbers in gold leaf, etc.
The moral of this story is, that there are different reasons for a technician to take a long time to do something, some of these reasons are fairly legitimate. This one technician I'm talking about tells you up front he is very busy and gives you the opportunity to take your instrument else-where.
Well, we are now very friendly, and he felt so badly about having had it for so long that he only charged me about a fourth of the originally agreed price (I was totally happy with the work, I thought it was worth much more and protested the price cut) plus told me he'd give me a lifetime warranty on the gold plate, to just bring it to him if I had any problems with it and he'd take care of it any time!!!
Well, he's certainly slow, but he's also certainly a great person to deal with, and a fantastic technician. One in a large bunch.
It also proves what I've always said to everyone, in and out of these threads: It pays to take time out to get friendly with the techs around town.
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Author: Bill
Date: 2001-12-06 15:58
Peter,
Almost sounds like we might be talking about the same clarinet tech! Probably not, but . . . I agree with your approach and your interest in your tech. I, too, sometimes e-mailed my tech just to say hi (having no horns in his shop). But your experience of being charged a reduced fee is unique. When my stuff as very late, I had pre-paid (as I always did). I now have two mouthpieces that have been with a refacer since July. It's clear that this individual is bored with the project(s), and that's what hurts. Previous service was quick, high-quality, and cheerful. After so many cases of being told something would be ready "in 2 weeks," I've grown bitter with the waiting and the top-dollar fees. --Bill.
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Author: donald nicholls
Date: 2001-12-08 09:38
.... i'm nowhere near Mr Bays league, but i feel really guilty after reading this- i promised to reface a students mouthpiece (old B45 that was totally messed up) and lent him another while i did the work (an old Boosey)... weeeeeell. that was in April. Ok, so i'm not really running a business, or at the high level Mr Bay works at..... but reading this thread makes me want to get off my rear end and go and finish all those jobs that need doing (the ones for someone else at any rate...).
I'd say at a guess Bay is a nice guy who wants to help EVERYBODY but doesn't have time, he hasn't worked out that it's not actually helpful to say that you can do something for someone when you really are too busy.
donald
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Author: Peter
Date: 2001-12-09 06:04
Hey Bill,
Under those circumstances I'd probably be upset too. Maybe that's why this joker you're dealing with charges the full fee up front!
I do have to admit that my tech is one heck of a guy!! (Even though he is slow, it's mainly due to his work-load, not just because he doesn't want to do it.)
If this guy you are dealing with is really bugging you, I'd say maybe it's time to tell him to send back your mouthpieces, and your money as well. If I felt I needed to push a technician severely enough to complete a job, I wouldn't trust him to complete it properly.
I would be afraid that, not wanting to do the work, for whatever reason, he would do it badly, just to get rid of you, and then leave you stuck with it. I've seen that happen too.
Good luck!
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