 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Ed
Date: 2022-05-08 17:53
I recently got a Clark Fobes 10K mouthpiece and thought I would share my experience.
I have always liked Clark's work and have found him very easy to work with. He came out with his 10K model a few years ago. This is on a blank that he designed to his specs based on his years of experience making mouthpieces. A few months ago I was in touch with Clark and he told me that he was doing some tweaks to the design and was hoping to make some minor improvements. After a few weeks we connected again and discussed models, facings, etc, and Clark worked up a mouthpiece for me.
Shipping was fast and the mouthpiece arrived very quickly. The 10K is an excellent mouthpiece. The work is very clean and the blank is beautiful. The tone and response is really even across the range of the instrument and it plays very easily and comfortably. The tone is clear and focussed with a good ringing resonant core. There is a richness and depth to sound with excellent projection. I have found it to be exceptionally "reed friendly." I was very comfortable playing this mouthpiece from the moment I put it on.
Over the years I have had the opportunity to try or play quite a variety of mouthpieces- mass produced, vintage and handmade. Without question, this is perhaps the best I have played. Clark has always done great work and this mouthpiece is really the culmination of his work. He really understands the acoustics of mouthpieces and how each aspect of the design affects the playing and sound. He has balanced these qualities to create a mouthpiece with what is for me, just the right mix.
Clark is always very easy to work with and sensitive to the player's needs. He makes a wide variety of facings so it is easy for any player to find what would fit their style. For anyone seeking an exceptionally high quality, great playing mouthpiece, this should be at the top of anyone's list to consider trying.
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Author: donald
Date: 2022-05-10 08:10
I'm a great fan of his barrels, even the synthetic ones.
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Author: ruben
Date: 2022-05-10 09:36
I can't wait to try one out! Nobody knows more about clarinet acoustics than Clark.
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
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Author: LFabian
Date: 2022-05-11 21:17
Is there a reason he suggests a 67mm barrel for his mouthpieces. Incidentally, I have 6 of his mouthpieces including a Cicero.
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Author: Ed
Date: 2022-05-12 00:50
Clark says that he aims to make his mouthpieces at 441 with a 66mm barrel. This makes it easier if you need to pick up an instrument cold or need to play at a little higher in pitch. If you need to be at 440 you could either pull out a bit or use a longer barrel.
I have always found it easier to be a bit above rather than right at 440. It gives me some room to adjust as it is much easier to go lower than to try to bring the pitch up.
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