Custom mps, narrow rails, and plasticover reeds

[rb]

After a 20+ year sax-playing hiatus, just picked up a WWBW soprano. Came with a WW C* mp (copy of a Selmer, I guess); also bought a Yamaha 4C student mp and a Runyon 5 Custom Spoiler. The side rails on the Custom are substantially closer together than on either of the other mps; the sides of a right-from-the-box reed extend well beyond the sides of the mp. Finding that uncomfortable, and guessing it restricts reed vibration- I sanded the sides of a reed, which happened to be a Rico Plasticover.

Is this standard procedure- does everyone who plays Runyon mps sand the sides of their reeds as a matter of course?

Is the Plasticover going to deteriorate faster, with the coating removed from the sides? Can the sides be recoated with something else?

Considering trying some Fibracells. Would sanding the sides be detrimental?- I know they advise against trimming the tip.

Thanks,
rb

[Anonymous]

Wow! I haven't seen a sax-playing hiatus since the circus came through here in '52!

Hope you took super-8 home movies!

[rb]

Wow! I haven't seen a sax-playing hiatus since the circus came through here in '52!

I wasn't around in '52, but that does bring back childhood memories. A local church carnival featured a tiny traveling circus company with a live band. The alto sax player was an elderly Italian gent with no teeth, who played with VERY wide vibrato on an upside-down mouthpiece. I'd seen European circuses on TV, and always wondered how to get that classic circus sound. What a revelation!

So, is it OK to sand the sides of a Fibracell reed to fit your mouthpiece? I know, if it's "OK" to play with your mp upside down, it's "OK' to do just about anything- but would it ruin the reed?

[MojoBari]

Some Runyons and other mouthpieces are narrower than typical reeds. If you play like this, it will most likely irritate your lower lip over time. Sanding the sides of the reed is an easy fix. It will make the reed a little softer. If it is too soft, start with the next harder strength.

You can also try using clarinet reeds. They may fit great.

The mouthpiece can be refaced to make it wider. It just takes some $.

Ideally, you should exchange a mouthpiece that is too narrow. But that is not always possible.

[rb]

Some Runyons and other mouthpieces are narrower than typical reeds. If you play like this, it will most likely irritate your lower lip over time.....

Thanks for the advice. I'll try the easiest thing first- see if clarinet reeds fit. And not worry about reducing life of the Plasticovers. I wouldn't want to exchange the Custom- but might want to have the tip opened someday. BTW, about how much would that cost- would it be worth it, considering I can get a new Custom for ~$58?

Thanks,
rb

[MojoBari]

The reface cost is about the same as buying a new Runyon. The new one could be exchanged as needed until it fits your reeds.

But refacing would also fix other problems that exist in the mouthpiece. For one, the curves of both side rails would be made equal. They should be that way now, but quite a few Runyon custom soprano pieces have crooked facings. Most still play OK, but they are more responsive hand faced.

So, I would rather have one mouthpiece hand faced than 2-3 that are not.

[Anonymous]

It used to be that you could send a Runyon mouthpiece back to the manufacturer and have it opened up for $20.

[rb]

The reface cost is about the same as buying a new Runyon. The new one could be exchanged as needed until it fits your reeds..
Is that "fits your reeds" or fits your needs"? If the reeds are a standard width, and the mp is narrow by design, how would exchanging mps fit my reeds? :?

But refacing would also fix other problems that exist in the mouthpiece....So, I would rather have one mouthpiece hand faced than 2-3 that are not.
Thanks for the advice, I'll keep that in mind.

[MojoBari]

I meant "reeds" since that is your problem. Most Runyons should fit the width of your reed. But you and I both have seen narrow ones. They have not been made correctly but make it out of the factory for some reason.

If you order direct from Runyon, and specifically ask them to make sure the rails are wide enough, they will double check it and send you a good one for sure. If by chance they get it wrong, they will stand behind it until it is correct.

Their quality control is decent for mass produced mouthpieces. Not perfect. Their customer service is outstanding. They will not blow you off.

[rb]

I meant "reeds" since that is your problem. Most Runyons should fit the width of your reed.
I called Runyon and spoke to Leroy, the guy who does refacings. You can still get a mp opened up, with one day turnaround, for about $20 (he wasn't sure of the exact price off hand). Now I just have to agonize over whether to go straight to a 7, or to a 6 or 6-1/2 (I didn't even know there *were* half sizes). :wink:

Leroy said there may be dimensional variations in metal or machined rubber mps, but the molded pieces are what they are- the streamlined Custom has a small outer diameter and some reeds may slightly overhang. Even if that's not 100% correct, sanding the reeds isn't much of a hardship.

I would appreciate any advice on whether sanding will damage Fibracells, but realize most folks have no experience with this. Guess I'll just have to buy some and find out.

-rb

[tonal ambition]

I suspect you won't be able to sand the Fibracell reed. When mine start
dying, usually some fibers start peeling off the sides. When that happens
the reed is dead in a week.

[rb]

I suspect you won't be able to sand the Fibracell reed.
I suspect you're right. I tried emailing Fibracell, but the message bounced; will call and ask. In the mean time, will pick up a few clarinet reeds at the local gouge-the-parents-of-young-students shop to see if they fit without modification.

Thanks,
rb

[MojoBari]

I have sanded Fibracells. There is a thin membrane along the bottom of them that should not be sanded. The rest is fair game but you will find it raises some Kevlar fibers. These can irritate your bottom lip, but they eventually go away. Sanding the sides should not bother you too much or at all. I would do it rather than play on one that is wider than the MP.