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RE: How do music stores handle trying out mouthpie

Author: Drew
Date: 1999-07-06 22:19

Music stores handle mouthpiece auditioning any number of ways. When I bought my first new mouthpiece in 25 years, I brought along my clarinet. I was at the store when it opened on a Saturday, and the store management were quite cooperative, they didn't seem to care if I took all day. They let me use a practice room; I tried everything they had and took over 3 hours. End result was my purchase of a Vandoren B45(dot).

Several months later I wanted to trial a new batch of mouthpieces at the same store. The store manager remembered me and suggested I take 3 or 4 home for testing. End result was the purchase of another Vandoren (this time a 5RV).

So to your question, ask the store management about their trial policy. And reward them with your business if they treat you well! With both of my purchases I spent a little more than if I had mail ordered the same mouthpieces, but it was worth it to me trial so many mouthpieces at the same time. Besides, when you consider how many hours of enjoyment you'll get out of the right equipment, saving a few dollars means very little.

Oh, I should also tell you that the store manager now calls me every several weeks to give me first crack at new merchandise. I don't buy that much, but I feel like a valued customer.

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