 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Jim S.
Date: 2002-01-24 05:04
In the Pete Fountain thread today there was mention of this mouthpiece. I have seen mention of it previously and have dug mine out and played it. It was recommended by my clarinet professor back in the mid-50's. It has a bright powerful resonance with the right reed. It is a B2. Mine is probably not made with a Chedeville blank from what I have read, but it may be collectible nevertheless, I suppose. I would like to know, if so. Does anyone have any thoughts on how well thought-of they are these days?
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Author: William
Date: 2002-01-24 16:05
Probably, it depends on the particular playing characteristic of the mpc in question. Back in the early 60s--at my Univeristy--most of us were purchasing Kaspar and early Bay mpcs and many of us still play them. I remember having a S-W-S mouthpiece that was shrill and harsh on my R-13s--didn't like it at all and I gave it away (to another student whom I was auditioning against). But then, perhaps I had a "bad one." Still have my Chicago Kaspar, my Ithica Bay (custom made after my Kaspar) and use them--along with one of Greg Smiths fine "Cicero Kaspar" models and some mpcs that my old college professor (Glenn Bowen) refaced for me. The value of anything is only relative to its desirability and need. One persons "junk" may be anothers "treasure." (I won the audition) Good Clarineting!!!!!!!!!
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2002-01-24 19:00
The S-W-S mouthpieces were made by Frank Wells and were highly respected in the 1950s and 60s. The baffle was fairly high, which created a lot of resistance and a fairly bright sound. The more open ones (e.g., the C-3) had incredible power. I played a C-3 for several years, picked out for me by Keith Stein.
The Wells designs were different from anything being made now. Everett Matson, for example, touched up the facing on my C-3, but said he was so out of sympathy with what Wells did that he didn't feel comfortable doing anything more. It isn't what I prefer now, but it's a good mouthpiece.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2002-01-24 21:28
I played a Wells mp [believe it is his #2, will check] for several years , quite good ["classical" as I recall] , its main diff. is a smaller [shorter] opening with rounded end, [I cant recall the proper terms!!] . I have a copy of the only Wells patent I have found, its "wind opening" [??] is a "keyhole" shape. Will post the # if asked. Interesting, Don
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Author: Jim S.
Date: 2002-01-24 21:54
Sounds like the sound would be out of favor these days. As I recall, my prof. had a very bright French sound with one. (BTW I hear he is still playing with S.F. groups in his ninties.) But power can be good. Maybe with a Rovner and very heavy reeds...or wailing, buried in the depths of a concert band section. Yes, I see the keyhole crimp at the bottom of the windway. I have no plans to try to copy one, so the patent number would do me no good, but thanks anyway.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2002-01-25 19:25
I ran on to Well's patent, so I'll post it, US 4,449,439 [1984], it has some discussion and references which may be of interest. Don
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Author: Jim S.
Date: 2002-01-26 06:02
Can I use this number at a free internet site? Or do I have to go to a law library?
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2002-01-26 15:04
Jim S - Yes , there are at least two free patent copying sites. The USPTO.gov shows pats back to 1976 where the text is copyable, the drawings may be another question. The IBM site, Delphion.com [I believe should find it, if that doesnt do it, try a search {AOL, Yahoo, Google} for delphion] goes back to 1971 pats. They both have searching capability, simple Boolean and "advanced" as well as by pat # [the simplest] if you have it! I am considering if I can justify the cost of subscribing to the foreign pat searching capability offered by IBM. Otherwise, US pats are obtainable from Patent Depository Libraries, each state has at least one, or ask your reference librarian to obtain the copy. The PDLs also have extensive search capability, as do the larger public libraries. Glad you asked, Ive worked with pats for many years and keep on preaching that there is extensive tech info and "prior art reference" out there, waiting to be found. Luck, Don
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