 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Mark
Date: 2002-07-23 23:30
what do u think of 'em?
are they as good as the super expensive ones like greg smith and pyne?
how/where would i buy one? I'm like 7 hours away from Buffalo. And i dont really feel like spending $120 to go to buffalo and buy a $70 mp. there is a chance, however, (very small chance) that i might be able to hitch a ride with someone i know that lives in my city who may visit buffalo later.
how exactly does he build custom mouthpieces for people? does he have you try some, then adjust the mouthpiece to what he thinks sounds best?
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Author: diz
Date: 2002-07-24 00:37
if you do a search here - you'll find plenty of questions and answers about mail order clarinet bits and pieces ...
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Author: Ed
Date: 2002-07-24 01:32
To answer the question- are they as good as xxxx: That depends on you, what you like, how good that particular mouthpiece is, your reeds, etc. This is the case with everything out there, including Chedevilles and Kaspars. Try them, see if it works for you. Some people love them, some don't like them. It is very personal.
To be of some help, last I knew, Johnston used asymetrical facings and tended toward wide rails. It is a very distinctive feel, very different from symetrical facings. You have to see for yourself. If you know anyone who uses one, persuade them to let you give it a blow. Otherwise, go see what Johnston has to offer. There are many fine mouthpieces out there, and everyone of them has players who love them. Good luck.
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2002-07-24 02:50
In this case, I think your best bet is to contact him directly and ask how he works. From bits and pieces I have seen about Johnston mouthpieces over the years, it is my understanding that he strongly prefers to work with his customers in person so that he can examine their dental structure (I seem to remember reading somewhere that he actually takes molds), etc. and tailor the mouthpiece to them rather than making several standard varieties for them to choose from. He has a fine reputation as a mouthpiece maker but, again, your best bet is to contact him directly and ask how he works. You'll certainly get better information than you have from any of the responses I've seen so far -- including mine.
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: rmk
Date: 2002-07-24 03:56
I've been to see Johnston. He didin't take any molds, but he did have me try some prototype mouthpieces, and then it was like going to the eye doctor: Is A better or B? Is C better? How about D? Eventually he will come up with something you are comfortable with.
One warning: he prefers very light reeds (VD 3's when I saw him). Although I (at his insistence) tried out the mouthpieces using 3's, I ended up preferring 4's after about a week.
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2002-07-24 13:42
The fitting is everything.
What is your time worth?
It seems to me that the cost differential works out even;
You may, however come away without a mouthpiece.
He uses the Zinner blank and some players can't make them work well.
In my opinion, you're paying for his expertise.
At $70 for a professional mouthpiece, fitted to YOU it's a steal.
Of course, if you feel that vintage stuff is better, you could always pay $500 for a Chedeville or Kaspar, send it off to a refacer (for another $300) send it back for adjustments and fine-tuning and have something playable within 6 months.
Seven hours to see the Wizard is worthwhile.
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Author: Lori
Date: 2002-07-24 15:09
Hi all.
I went to a workshop given by Johnston in Lowell, Massachusetts a couple of years ago. He had four different facings to choose from, and a bunch to try with each different facing. At least one of the facings was asymmetrical. All of them had wider rails than most other mp's. I found that the one I bought required softer reeds than I was used to, particularly at the tip. For me, the mouthpiece was too different from the mouthpieces I had before, and required a lot of reed adjustment. I eventually was able to make it play almost as well as my other mouthpieces, but it never felt quite comfortable. I eventually stopped playing on it and bought a Vandoren M14, which I like very much. If I still had it, I'd try to sell it for half price, but I lost it somewhere and haven't seen it in almost a year.
--Lori
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2002-07-24 17:52
I have a Johnston-Selmer, New York, mp marked S and 32109 for a G M Bundy Bb cl G 598 which [I believe] dates from about 1939. I would be quite interested in any info about its ancestry. It is a good player, much like the older Woodwind G8's. Thot it might be of interest, TKS, Don
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Author: HAT
Date: 2002-07-24 19:54
I play one of DJ's mouthpieces on eflat clarinet and it is superb.
I have a close friend and colleague who plays one of bflat and a and (whether coincidence or not) has one of the most beautiful sounds and best control of the instrument of anyone I know. However, when I tried his mouthpiece I could barely get a sound on it.
This probably doesn't help. Oh well.
David Hattner, NYC
www.northbranchrecords.com
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Author: Jerry McD
Date: 2002-07-24 21:46
David,
That post actually helps a lot. It reinforces the notion that what works for one (especially an experienced professional) does not necessarily work for another. Which needless to say doesn't make the search for a new mouthpiece any easier. Wouldn't it be great to say 'I love X-player's sound, I'll play what they do' and POOF! you do.....we can dream can't we.
Mark-if you want a Johnston mouthpiece and you're seven hours away do it. If you can find someone in your town that already has one of his mouthpieces you can try it and get a GENERAL idea if you like the playability....then go to Buffalo. I have the same problem David Hattner had with the Johnston with Pyne mouthpieces. I know several people who play them and sound great, but I don't like them at all.
for what it's worth (the opinion was free!)
Jerry McD.
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Author: Wendy
Date: 2002-07-25 03:09
Who is Johnston? I only live 15 minutes from Buffalo and I've never heard of him or his mouthpieces. Where exactly is he & how does one contact him?
Wendy
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Author: Jim S.
Date: 2002-07-25 06:10
Dan Johnston
41 Ayer Rd
Buffalo,NY USA
Tel: (716)633-5573
Mouthpieces
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Author: Raoul Steinberg
Date: 2002-07-25 11:30
Dear Mark: The Johnston mouthpiece is highly rated. I own alot of mouthpieces and have tried many and can attest to the quality of the Johnston mouthpiece. As for myself I do not personally play them, but my students who use them produce a great sonority and focused tone. As for myself I use a Blayman. The fact of the matter I feel is you should play with what makes you happy with your playing. Raoul
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Author: nzdonald
Date: 2002-07-25 12:29
i live in NZ, for me to get ANY hand crafted mouthpiece involves getting several of them mailed to me so i can choose one (pay for them all in advance and get a refund for the ones i don't want)..... this is a huge pain in the xxxxxx and not really an ideal way to get a mouthpiece. I do my own mouthpieces for my use and my friends/colleagues as no one else here has a clue.... this has the disadvantage that i am in somewhat of a "mouthpiece vacuum" (nothing to compare to except standard Vandoren at the local shop, no other re-facers to talk with etc)
If you can drive to Mr Johnston DO IT, you are very lucky.
as a matter of interest- my old teacher had a moutpiece Johsnton made for him, i used it for about a year and during that time won a concerto competition, and was very happy with tone/intonation/response..... once i got used to the higher resistance. When i changed off this on to a hand crafted mouthpiece (similar to a 5RV) i found myself for months afterward "blasting" the sound as i had become acustomed to the resistance of the Johsnton (H3 facing i think). But while i played the Johnston i was very satisfied with my sound, and only changed because Dr E wanted his moutpiece back.
I understand that he does some modifications to the interior of the Zinner blank (as do many refacers who use them). This guy really knows what he's doing.
donald
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Author: John
Date: 2002-07-25 22:49
you really do need to try out mouthpieces before you try them, because, as others have said already, some mpcs may be great for some people and others may like something else. definately go see this guy...it will be well worth your time. i live in CA and my teacher had a set of the four different mpc's by Johnston and i tried them out and ordered one that day. i now have a Johnston "W" mouthpiece and it is absolutely fantastic. the tone it produces is amazing (had him shape it for Vandoren V12 size 4 reeds and rico evolution 4 reeds). the response is amazing as well.
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