 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: fskelley
Date: 2014-03-26 01:16
I've never used a mouthpiece protector pad. I've bought used mouthpieces that had them, but that just seems gross, so I removed them and cleaned thoroughly. And of course new mouthpieces don't come with them.
And now my 2-3 yr old 2RV looks pretty ratty on top. Does that mean I should have stuck on a pad when it was new? To do so now would make it look better, seems a silly reason to do it, but I might.
There is 0% chance of me ever switching to double lip, especially just to stop scratching my mouthpiece. I do think I'm doing a lot less pressure these days, so perhaps if I did start with another new 2RV or 5RV it would stay looking nicer longer even with no pad.
So- what's the story on pads? Do all of you use them, or none of you? Good idea, bad idea, neutral? Buy the cheapest I can find, or look for some particular type?
Stan in Orlando
EWI 4000S with modifications
Post Edited (2014-03-26 01:16)
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Author: kdk
Date: 2014-03-26 01:47
It's a personal choice and depends on what you find comfortable. I use the fairly thick and soft Runyon black pads, even playing double lip as I do, because they give me a little more traction than the thinner, harder ones, which I find more slippery, especially if they get wet. Some players don't like the extra thickness and use the thinner ones mostly to protect their mouthpieces from marks.
When I played single lip eons ago I could barely stand to play without a patch on my mouthpiece because when I put my teeth directly on the beak I'd get the most excruciatingly painful vibration going through my teeth and into my upper jaw. Back then we used to cut up rubber work gloves (not the plastic ones they market now) - the rubber was soft but thin and provided just enough padding to protect my teeth from those vibrations.
Of course, if the only reason for you to consider a pad is cosmetics and nothing to do with comfort, I'd say skip them - they get grungy and need to be replaced (or cleaned) from time to time as the edges crust up or your teeth start to wear through them. You won't sound any different with or without scratches on the top of your mouthpiece.
Karl
Karl
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2014-03-26 07:16
Well I use them for the 'traction.' Helps a bit keep things stable. I second the thick black Runyons. Also Vandoren patches seem to last a long time as well and stick great.
..........Paul Aviles
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Author: Wes
Date: 2014-03-26 09:06
A thin clear patch is what I use on all single reed mouthpieces to protect them from scratches during use. In addition, I minimize the area covered by a patch by cutting the patches in half and rounding the corners, although I suspect that the attenuation of vibration by a big thick patch is not very much.
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2014-03-26 13:05
Thin (0.4mm) black patches here. Mainly to protect the beak, but also for traction and a wee bit of vibration reduction.
--
Ben
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Author: cyclopathic
Date: 2014-03-26 13:52
Runyon black pad covered with Runyon clear work great and last forever. Only con they are big so they come all the way to the tip edge, so you have to trim them prior to installation.
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Author: feadog79
Date: 2014-03-26 18:02
I prefer a thick, softer pad. I use the clear Yamaha patches, stuck on with clear 3M VHB double-sided tape. Lasts a long time, and holds up to rinsing without losing adhesion.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2014-03-26 14:24
I've played for about 15 years without a pad. Then bought a mouthpiece, actually a clarinet that came with a mouthpiece, and the mouthpiece came with a thin pad. I tried it and it was better. Just more comfortable. Since then I've played with the thin pads. I've tried thicker pads and don't like them.
Basially, try it and see if you like it. There is no disadvantage. Even the most expensive you can get is so much cheaper than the clarinet/mouthpiece/reeds/etc. so no big deal.
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Author: kilo
Date: 2014-03-26 18:29
I like the thin clear ones — BG, Bay, Pro Tec all make good ones. As with clarnibass, I went for years and never used them but now my mouthpiece feels naked without one.
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Author: fskelley
Date: 2014-03-26 21:42
Thanks for the input. As always, much to be learned from the experience of others, even on something relatively insignificant.
Stan in Orlando
EWI 4000S with modifications
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Author: Dibbs
Date: 2014-03-27 15:31
I never used one until I got a Pomarico crystal mouthpiece. I couldn't stand the feel of glass on my teeth. Now I have one on all my mouthpieces.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2014-03-27 16:41
Black ones also cover up bite marks and repairs.......
Bob Draznik
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Author: Bruno
Date: 2014-03-27 17:17
There seems to be one misconception in this thread. Sound is not generated by vibration of the mpc but by the reed attached to it. IMHO, the thickness of a mpc pad shouldn't make any difference in the sound.
bruno>
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Author: derek_b
Date: 2014-03-27 22:34
Try it... for free. I do not use commercial patches. I use good insulating tape (common Nitto brand used by electricians is excellent), and cut shapes patterned from photos of patches easily found on the net. You can try a single layer (very thin) or as many layers as desired (I usually use 4 layers). Holds very well, easy to make a larger/smaller patch, any colour, can be cleaned with a few drops of disinfectant before use. A single $1 roll of tape makes lifetime supply of patches. I compared them with commercial patches, and frankly, prefer self made ones.
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Author: fskelley
Date: 2014-03-27 22:46
Derek- I love those kind of solutions- thanks!
Stan in Orlando
EWI 4000S with modifications
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Author: Bruno
Date: 2014-03-28 03:41
You can also buy a box of Band Aids - the kind with the thicker woven tape - and use small pieces on your mpc. I stuck a piece about an inch square on the body of my R13 just where my right thumb contacts the clarinet at the thumb rest. It makes holding the clarinet in cool conditions more secure (I have dry hands). You can support the entire clarinet with one hand.
bruno>
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Author: marcia
Date: 2014-03-28 04:36
When I started playing at age 12, I did not know there were such things as mouthpiece pads, so played happily without one. When I purchased my first after market mouthpiece many years later, I was given a pad to protect the mouthpieces I was trying. At that time my front teeth had become quite crooked, therefore I could not get both front teeth to grip the mouthpiece. I found the soft rubber pad gave me the grip I was lacking so I have used a pad ever since then. (I have since had my teeth straightened through the sometimes painful process of orthodontia) I had occasion to play without a pad once since then, and the vibration was quite uncomfortable. I don't know now, how I played so long without using a pad.
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