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Choosing
a mouthpiece?
Emil Anello:
I
have been asked by a number of dealers why I have not added plastic
mouthpieces to my product line. My
response is this.
"There
is no denying that plastic mouthpieces are cheaper.
However, that is where the advantage ends."
TRUE
. . . . PLASTIC
MOUTHPIECES ARE CHEAPER . . . .
.
. . . THAT
IS WHERE THE ADVANTAGE ENDS
Hard
rubber is considered a thermosetting material in which the application
of heat (as in molding) permanently changes the molecular
structure of the material.
Plastic
mouthpieces are considered thermoplastic.
The application of heat does not change the molecular structure of plastic, but
merely allows it to be shaped, temporarily, into whatever is
desired.
PLASTIC
MOUTHPIECES HAVE . . . . . . PLASTIC MEMORY
Because
of this, plastic mouthpieces have what is known in the industry as
"plastic memory," in which the material over time "wants
to revert to its original state."
That
is why warping is common in plastic mouthpieces. Warping causes
squeaking, and problems with tonal balance between registers.
PLASTIC
MATERIAL IS GUMMY . . . . REFACING IS DIFFICULT
Plastics
also have a higher coefficient of expansion and contraction caused by
differences in surrounding temperatures, thereby causing intonation
problems. Further, plastic material is ‘gummy’ in texture.
As
a result, plastic mouthpieces are most difficult to reface if so
desired.
HARD
RUBBER IS STILL THE BEST !
To
date I have not found any thermoplastic material that meets the critical
needs required in making a quality mouthpiece and, therefore, choose not
to go that route. Hard rubber is still the best by far. It
has truly passed the test of time.
A
MOUTHPIECE IS 50%
OF THE MUSICAL QUALITY
A
mouthpiece is generally considered to contribute 50% of the quality of
playing a musical instrument. It is of questionable economy to purchase
an expensive instrument and then place an inferior plastic mouthpiece on
it.
In
conclusion, it becomes vital that manufacturers, dealers, and music
instructors assist those who are in the process of purchasing a suitable
mouthpiece, and advise them of the above differences.
Emil Anello
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