 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: jez
Date: 2002-11-28 15:58
I'm currently using a mouthpiece made by a friend which shows great promise. He has put a lot of thought into devising ways to measure the internal shape of the tone-chamber and seems to be able to alter the characteristics required at will. I'll keep you posted as to progress & if they ever become available to try. (at the moment he's only thinking of making them for himself & friends)
He's using blanks from Babbitt and I've heard it suggested that other suppliers provide a better quality of ebonite. Whether differences are in density or quality I'm not sure.
Does anyone have any experience of this? I know they can be obtained from Zinner. Are there any other suppliers?
I'm surprised, by the way, how much more important these internal dimensions are than the lay, which I always thought was the crucial thing.
jez
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Author: graham
Date: 2002-11-28 16:05
The tone chamber is the voice of the clarinet (so says the Peter Eaton web site on the subject). The lay is as much to do with behavioural characteristics and the player/instrument interface as with determining tone itself, though it also has an impact. Personally I tend to go for smaller tone chambers since they are apt to deliver a more immediate more pungent sound. It is also worth refering to the Pillinger web site re the effect of baffle angles etc.
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2002-11-28 20:59
Nothing wrong with Babbit blanks.
Most hand makers are now having their own mold designed, and Babbit often is the producer.
I think Riffault is still turning out raw goods in some small numbers, but it maybe easier to source these from the Werks mentioned... your friend should beware!
To misquote the late, great Everett Matson...
"Don't work for clarinet players, they're relentless."
I think his exact words to me were,
"Turn back now, before it's too late!"
It's a small, but crowded field. Nice to have capable folks take up the task.
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