Problem with bari Lawton

[Subtone Sam]

I have this metal Lawton 7*B bari mpc,I use mainly LaVozes on it.

I find a reed that seals with this piece and it plays OK for a while.After 15-30 minutes it starts to leak,making the mouthpiece quite difficult to play.
This is something I've experienced with other mpcs too ofcourse but I was thinking if this happens because the mpcs rails are not even or because the reed changes its shape and starts to leak?
I also find a leak on bari mpcs to have bigger effect on playability than on smaller horns.
The fact that it seals in the beginning and only starts to leak after 15 minutes of playing suggests that its the reed that is problem but it happens with all reeds so I have a problem here.

Any suggestions how to fix this? How to check if the rails and table are even on the mpc?

[shmuelyosef]

Is this Lawton a recent purchase? I just trialed a couple Lawton bari pieces (with Mr. Lawton now gone, I wanted to try before it got impossible) from WW&BW. The quality was not what I expected...certainly short of the tenor piece I have had for some time. On the DD, the shank bore, chamber and facing were all out of alignment. On both pieces the rails were uneven. The chambers did not have the fine polish I have seen in earlier Lawtons. They played OK, but a little more work than I expected (Lawton tenors have always seemed to be more work to play for me) and they were not particularly responsive. I ended up sending both back. I noticed that the tip rails were 'indistinct' on both...my suspicion is that WW&BW buffs these pieces each time they go out for trial and over time, things get uneven, etc...any other thoughts?

[Subtone Sam]

I purchased this Lawton about a year ago,along with tenor and sop. Lawtons.I actually had to send the first one,8*BB back to Lawton,it didn't play well at all and was replaced with this 7*B which has problems too.The tenor and sop. versions play reasonably well.My experience with Lawtons (I've had or tried about 8 of them for tenor) is that not all of them play well but the ones that do are really good.

[MojoBari]

The fact that it seals in the beginning and only starts to leak after 15 minutes of playing suggests that its the reed that is problem but it happens with all reeds so I have a problem here.

Try sanding the back of the reeds on a flat surface after they swell. Try a Fibracell.

Lawtons are typically very well finished. Of the few problems I've seen, I suspect most of them were tampered with after they left Mr. Lawton.

[Subtone Sam]

Thanks,Mojobari,I'll try the sanding thing.I actually have a plastic Bari reed but I don't like the sound.

[MojoBari]

I think the plastic Bari reeds are way too bright for pieces with higher baffles like Lawtons. For synth reeds, a Fibracell or Legere would sound better. But cane is OK (better sometimes, worse often).

[baribri]

I hate to sound patronizing but I strongly suggest that any of you having troubles with a Lawton bari or other size Lawton piece take the time to do the following..
Spend the few bucks and send your piece to Mojo "fingers" Bari.
I have a few Lawtons that he has worked on and although I respected the late Dr. Lawton, his pieces were far from perfect, once Mojo has finished them they are as close to perfect as it gets!!! It's much less money than trading them away for another surprise.. just send them to Mojo and tell him what you want done or why it's not right for you and watch out for magic...

[Subtone Sam]

baribri,thats a good idea,I've already planned on doing that.Lawtons are great pieces but,like you said,some of them need some work.