 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: M_Chavez
Date: 2018-11-05 04:46
Hi All,
A while ago I have picked up an old clarinet and really enjoyed trying to play it before putting it away for a few months due to a complete lack of time.
Now, the old beast is back out of the case and undergoing a complete overhaul. It's an old Albert without any maker's marks - only a small "V" marked inconspicuously on all joints and keys; nickel keywork and body made out of good quality blackwood. Just by looking at the workmanship, I suspect It must have been a good quality instrument in its days, and it looks like it's been played a lot, so I am keen to restore it. I've given it a good clean and started applying light coats of oil - about to re-cork and re-pad it and attempt to set up the action (hopefully, the light wobble in the keywork won't be a big problem or will be reasonably easy to fix).
My question is about the mouthpiece - would you recommend getting a brand new one (can I even get one that would fit (it's a 15.2mm bore going into a 22.2mm joint)), or just attempt to re-face the original one, that seems to have taken a few light nicks to the face over the years.
I am a complete beginner as far as clarinets go, although I did spend a few weeks blowing out "Mack the knife" and "Summertime". Badly.
Thanks.
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Author: jdbassplayer
Date: 2018-11-05 05:18
~22.5mm is the modern mouthpiece socket size for a Bb clarinet, so your instrument should accept a modern mouthpiece. I would get something like a Fobes Debut or a Hite mouthpiece to start. Avoid cheap no-name mouthpieces.
While refacing a mouthpiece is something that you could learn to do, it can take years to master and unless you know exactly what you are doing it can be very easy to ruin at the mouthpiece. Not to mention you need a large assortment of special tools to do a good job. Best to just get a replacement mouthpiece.
-Jdbassplayer
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Author: Ken Lagace
Date: 2018-11-05 05:19
Changing the mouthpiece can wreck the tuning. I recommend having it refaced by a good refacer, Brad Behn comes to mind, and there are many others who can help you.
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Author: M_Chavez
Date: 2018-11-05 16:46
Thanks. I'd rather learn to perform the re-facing myself, but I will get a new mouthpiece while I am working on the old one. Would a beginner feel a big difference between hite, fobes debut and a vandoren? Big difference in price between the 3, with hite being the most attractive temporary option.
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Author: jdbassplayer
Date: 2018-11-05 16:58
Personally I like the Fobes best followed by the Hite. A beginner will not notice a big difference though.
I would recommend getting some cheap mouthpieces to practice on first before you reface the mouthpiece. Remember, you can't un-reface a mouthpiece!
-Jdbassplayer
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Author: Ed
Date: 2018-11-05 23:00
I also think the Fobes is the best bet here.
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Author: donald
Date: 2018-11-06 00:10
Fobes.
There is a good chance that, even if the tenon fits, a modern mouthpiece will not play in tune with this clarinet but only one way to find out.
As someone who has refaced mouthpieces professionally, ruined a few of them over the years (as well as rescuing some) I strongly advise you NOT to "DIY" a mouthpiece refacing, especially as
1) as a beginner your "play test" skills will be negligent.
2) there's a good chance that if you wreck the mouthpiece you have, it will be difficult to find one that plays in tune.
FYI - I hace two old Albert system clarinets that play wonderfully, AND fit modern mouthpieces - however the modern mouthpieces don't play in tune due to differences in the bore diameter (small increments
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Author: donald
Date: 2018-11-06 00:14
Fobes.
There is a good chance that, even if the tenon fits, a modern mouthpiece will not play in tune with this clarinet but only one way to find out.
As someone who has refaced mouthpieces professionally, ruined a few of them over the years (as well as rescuing some) I strongly advise you NOT to "DIY" a mouthpiece refacing, especially as
1) as a beginner your "play test" skills will be negligent.
2) there's a good chance that if you wreck the mouthpiece you have, it will be difficult to find one that plays in tune.
FYI - I have e two old Albert system clarinets that play wonderfully, AND fit modern mouthpieces - however the modern mouthpieces don't play in tune due to differences in the bore diameter (small increments thinner than a sheet of paper can influence this). So my advice has a practical basis.
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Author: M_Chavez
Date: 2018-11-06 01:37
Thank you very much. I'll try the Fobes first.
For re-facing, I've got some blackwood offcuts that I was thinking of shaping as close as I can get to the mouthpiece dimensions to practice re-facing before I try the actual mouthpiece, so the original is safe. For now. I might just get it done professionally at some later date.
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