Frank Kasper mpcs

[stevesklar]

Does anyone know much about Frank L. Kasper saxophone mpcs from the 1920s?

I know he was a big name in clarinet mpcs and I currently have a alto sax metal mpc. It is a dark, smooth and quick playing mpc. Rersponse on it is excellent and it makes my altos so easy playing.

[saxfreak]

I have a Kaspar baritone mouthpiece, which I think is wonderful. It's hard rubber, and I have no clue how old it is. I got it on eBay for a relatively cheap price, out of curiosity. When I played it I was impressed with the workmanship. It plays evenly with good response and consistent tone in all registers. It has a rather dark sound, which would work well in concert band or even sax quartet settings. It could work well in jazz groups, if you don't need a paint peeler. I use it in pit orchestras. I haven't tried any of the metal mouthpieces.
For years I played on a Kaspar clarinet mouthpiece, so I know how good his work was.
I understand that Kaspar got started with the Goldbeck people and went off on his own. You see Goldbeck mouthpieces on eBay from time to time, but I don't think those mouthpieces are generally very well regarded.
From my experience, I would recommend the Kaspar sax mouthpiece. It is very well made, and I'm happy with mine.

[stevesklar]

I'm curious what other mpcs he made? alto, tenor, bari .. metal .. rubber

But your info helped me solve what the stampings on the mpc mean.

"Successor to Goldbeck & Co." <--
Chicago, IL
PAT Feb. 10 1920


but so far I really like the mpc for general playing

[paulwl]

These are very rare, as are the clarinet pieces. But people won't pay thousands for the sax versions.

[bruce bailey]

I have an almost new 16 for clarinet. Is it worth anything?

[paulwl]

Not sure. I think the Kaspar-Chedeville models are the big money items. Search around on the Clarinet BBoard at woodwind.org and you'll find some discussions about it.

I say "search" because it's a FAQ, and the board doesn't maintain a FAQ file, nor it is terribly kind to newbies asking FAQs.

[Hurling Frootmig]

If it is a Cicero Kaspar then it could be worth well over $600. If it is an Ann Arbor Kaspar then it is worth considerably less but still a fair amount.

[bruce bailey]

Cicero. It looks like it has not been used much as there are no scratches or tooth marks on the beak. Maybe I will ebay it and have some fun.

[saxfreak]

A Cicero Kaspar that is very clean should sell for big bucks on eBay. It depends on who is watching, but $500-600 or more is common.

[stevesklar]

Does anyone know the type/content of metal that the sax mpcs are made of ?

[EZ]

Hey, Steve - I think it's a mixture of lead and uranium. The lead was added to reduce radiation exposure (thank God...)
:shock:

[stevesklar]

as long as it's safe .....

[EZ]

Ran a lead test with a home kit - the Goldbeck and also the Holton pieces came up negative for lead.