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Re: Vintage, or Vintage Clone?

Author: Gregory Smith ★2017
Date: 2006-01-02 18:51

I think that the main thrust of my post was to point out that even the individual tools cannot be duplicated (in much the same way that a machine made mouthpiece produced "by the numbers" with the help of a CNC or spinning diamond machine, etc. produces a variable result). Aside from the handmaker's artistic ability, the "spirit" of an inanimate object is something worth pointing out.

That real phenomenon has a name given to it by those that use them - hence the name (literal or metaphorical) "spirit". It does not refer to a spirituality in general but to uniqueness of one inanimate object to another.

That's why, no matter how exact the copying of dimensions, there will never be two mouthpieces, barrels, clarinets, etc, that are the same. That is why I have no worries that anyone can copy my mouthpieces to such a degree that threatens my work.

The same applies to Chadash bores for his barrels and clarinets. The tools cannot be copied so that no matter how methodically one attempts to do so, the result will always be different enough from the original to the degree that the "copy" will always be another animal.

There are degrees of accuracy concerning repeatability of prototypes within the making of a product but that's a different, although related subject.

In fact, as Omar points out, the making of musical instruments for artists will always involve, at the most important stage of making or adjusting a mouthpiece, the intimate involvement of the handcraftstman themselves. That's why music and artisianship are known as and referred to as an art.

So, from my point of view, there will never be the day that hand mouthpiece makers will be seen as obselte because technology will replace them as, unfortunately, it was stated in a prior thread a few months ago by a new mouthpiece maker/enthusiast.

That's why his following statement posted a few months ago seems more than a little silly:

"This mouthpiece is available in several facings that....I have spent a great deal of time designing, refining and measuring with state of the art computerized profile measuring machines, CNC technology and laser equipment. The goal has been to provide an exceptional mouthpiece which is made ACCURATELY....and not just using a simple glass gage, tip measuring tool, sandpaper and a few files."

Accuracy and technology should not be confused with artistry.

Gregory Smith

Post Edited (2006-01-02 20:59)

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Brenda Siewert

2005-12-29 15:16