 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: marshall
Date: 2008-07-28 17:03
Attachment: ched 002.jpg (87k)
Attachment: ched 001.jpg (58k)
I recently acquired an old Charles Chedeville mouthpiece. It plays fantastically and feels much more even througout the registers than any other mouthpiece I own, and response and articulation is almost effortless in the altissimo. It's easy to project but wonderful to play at even the softest dynamics.
However, I do have a few questions regarding this mouthpiece. First, the tip is very narrow...much narrower than any other mouthpiece I've ever seen. Is this normal for Chedevilles...or normal of a certain vintage of them?
You may also notice in the second picture that the rails and tip are slightly uneven. I plan on sending it to a hand-crafter to get it worked on and refaced, I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on where to potentially have it sent. I plan on playing a few mouthpieces from a few hand-crafters before I make a decision on this, and I think more options would be helpful.
Post Edited (2008-07-28 17:10)
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Author: John O'Janpa
Date: 2008-07-28 17:27
If it plays fantastically, why would you want to have it refaced?
Please don't chance messing up a mouthpiece that plays well in order to make it look better.
My two cents.
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Author: davidsampson
Date: 2008-07-28 21:20
Someone did a very good job taking care of that, it seems. My 5 year old B45 I use for marching is in much much worse condition.
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Author: Bill
Date: 2008-07-28 22:11
The left rail (as we look at it) is narrower than the right ... correct? Not a problem.
I can't "hear rubber" the way others can (despite being a vintage mouthpiece person). So that means a good mouthpiece is either (1) in the design, and/or (2) in the facing.
Bill Fogle
Ellsworth, Maine
(formerly Washington, DC)
Post Edited (2008-07-29 16:26)
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Author: Chris Hill
Date: 2008-07-29 04:42
I'd leave it alone-If you like it the way it is, why change it? You may not like it as much once it has been altered. As a refacer, I strongly urge you not to change it.
BTW, the tip is good the way it is. A thinner tip allows for easier articulation, and tends to add projection to the sound.
Chris Hill
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Author: marshall
Date: 2008-07-29 08:29
Thank you, Mr. Hill. I was just wondering if this was normal and what exactly it effects.
I suppose the thing I'm looking at most closely is the left rail. It seems as if the outside edge is (for lack of a better word) bent in, so the outer edge of the rail on the upper edge of the face is perfectly parallel to the inner edge. How will this affect the mouthpiece?
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Author: Chris Hill
Date: 2008-07-29 15:53
It may be causing problems, but, as Mr. Matson said to me, it may be part of the reason this mouthpiece plays so well for you. I've worked on at least a thousand mouthpieces, and sometimes, a mouthpiece is improved when I even out the rails; in fact, this is usually the case. However, this has had a negative effect on a few. If you were having problems with it, I'd say change it, but I wouldn't risk it on something that plays so well for you.
Potential areas of gain are response and freedom. Areas of possible loss are focus, clarity at soft dynamics, and tone quality.
Chris
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2008-07-29 18:31
I agree with John O that you shouldn't have anything done to it if it is playing properly. Every time you have a mouthpiece refaced you are going to change something about it. I always have a hard time adjusting to a mouthpiece that has been reface--even if it is a change for the better. BUT, on vintage mouthpieces it is often a gamble when it is sent off.
That said, I would highly recommend Brad Behn (he is a sponsor) and his expertise on vintage Cheds.
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