Brilhart Levelair bite plate replacement

[zadu]

I've been going through the box of old mouthpieces, repairing, testing, cleaning etc, and have managed to ressurect/correct the dished table on this alto original style Brilhart Levelair. It is finally playable now but has some deep tooth grooves.Rather than fill with epoxy, it would be cool to replace the duckbill style biteplate. Where might these be available?
Thanks z.

[Bill Mecca]

you might want to contact Runyon, they make a similar bite plate for their metal quantums. Not sure if it would fit, make take some modification, but it would be a start.

[Mike Ruhl]

Or you could find a chunk of some exotic hardwood, and carve out a bite plate. Then you'd really be stylin'!

[Carl H.]

Why not use a file to take it down even and bring it up to level with a soft mouthpiece patch?

[MojoBari]

If it is not too severe, I would just fill it with a 2-part black acryllic (like an epoxy).

It used to be that many repair techs stocked these, so may still find a few around. Otherwise, I would buy a bari sax one from Runyon and file it down as needed to fit a tenor.

[Mike W]

When I bought by Brilhart levelair tenor piece in 1970, it came with two extra bite plates. I have one unused one left (but it's not for sale). I assume the alto pieces came with extra bite plates as well. Perhaps a post on the things wanted/for sale might turn up someone who will sell you one. The bite plate on my mouthpiece is different than the current models shown in WW&BW, though. There may be two or more variations in circulation.

[zadu]

Thanks for the good suggestions! It looks like I'll stay busy persuing this for a while, and will repost results when resolved.

[rollen]

I know this post is a little old but, but Theo Wanne @ mouthpieceheaven.com replaces them.

Here's a link.

http://www.mouthpieceheaven.com/content/refacing2.htm

[zadu]

Thanks for the link rollen, that's exactly it!

[Paul Coats]

You can also get a cheap mouthpiece and cut a section out of the beak. I have done this before. Now you know what to do with the mouthpieces you just can't do anything else with.

[zadu]

Thanks Paul C. I had been thinking about opening up this old yas-L1 mouthpiece that I dont much like. Your suggestion would solve two issues for me and I'd end up with a very open 'piece too :lol:

[1saxman]

I've also cut Level Air beaks out of old junk HR pieces. However, Ferree's makes a black epoxy specifically for repairing Ebonite clarinets (#G20, 'Jet Magic') which is great for filling in the tooth grooves on a Level Air insert. After filling and sanding, use a mouthpiece patch to prevent further damage. The replacement inserts haven't been made for years, but every so often you can still find a few in the bottom of the mouthpiece drawers in music stores that have been in business a long time. Also ligatures and reed caps (bright chrome-plated, straight cap with a round hole in the end).

[zadu]

Many thanks to all of you who have helped with insights and suggestions for this repair. I have removed the old bite plate and used an old mouthpiece as a "donor" for material...estimate measurements, cut, fit, file, sand, polish. The insert ended up a little thinner than the original so that a thick rubber patch made it feel about right. Probably didn't need to polish it, but that helps it look way kewl. More than a few adult beverages were required to complete the work. :shock:
The process has given me great respect for those who repair/reface mouthpieces regularly!

[mr_eastbay]

I had the same problem with those inserts with level air mouth peices
so what i did is i made a casting mold and created my own plates .. um
i can make some money at that ..um...naw naw ...lol" anyway ive been using this mouth peice for yrs so it is common for the bite plate to look like you ate it after awile ..lol" but you can make a mold and make a few
if your crafty and got the time ... :wink:

[Paul Coats]

To polish a biteplate, or the beak of a mouthpiece, first sand with 600 grit silicon carbide paper. Then 800 grit, then 1000 grit. Each grit is removing the scratches from the previous step.

Now, by HAND ONLY, not with a buffing wheel, using a soft cloth and a good plastic polishing compound, hand polish to a shine. This takes only minutes. I use Kit Scratch Out (from the Kit Car Polish company).

To glue on a biteplate, I don't use epoxy or CA (super glue). I use E6000 glue by Eclectic Products or Alene's 7800. These glues (which are both SBR adhesives) are available in craft and hobby shops, as well as the craft department of Walmart stores.