How to choose when you can't try?

[Wafaic]

One's should try a mouthpiece before to buy it...I am sure it's true. But I live in Hong Kong, and forget about trying several mouthpieces here,
I now use a Brilhart Tonalim 2 on my Conn 524, and I'd like to have another mouthpiece, more open. I mostly play jazz, and like New Orleans jazz the most.
The mouthpiece I use now is quite muffed, and I'd like something more bright.
How get the right one from a distance?

[clarnut]

You could get something stock like a Vandoren and take your chances. That would not set you back too much. You also might consider emailing one of the custom makers and get an idea of what they might suggest. I am always a big fan of Clark Fobes mouthpieces.

http://www.clarkwfobes.com/

[SactoPete]

Are there any refacers in HK that you could work with on your Tonalin?

[Wafaic]

Thank you for your answers.
Finaly, the thing was all my fault, or my ignorance.
I started to play the clarinet with RicoRoyal 2 1/2.
When I got the Brilhart Tonalin (2) on my new metal clarinet, I just kept the same reeds.
Big mistake.
A friend told me that I was playing with too strong reeds. I was surprised, tried a Rico Royal 1 1/2, and it is far easier, and far better.
So...
I got a Zinne 518*K, which was good with the 2 1/2, but I wouldn't bought it If I had spoke to the guy earlier. The Tonalin is just great with this softer reeds.
Shame on me.

[Jazz House]

In Far North Queensland (FNQ) you can forget about trying anything other than a runyon or an Otto Link... :( All of my mouthpieces have come from the internet. So far the descriptions of my mouthpieces on internet really reflect what they play like and I haven't received any nasty surprises. Who knows what you're going to get? Make sure that when you take a gamble you buy from a store with a decent return policy...

[Grumps]

Look to buy and/or trade mouthpieces on the second hand market. That way if you purchase something that doesn't work out for you, you can basically trade or sell it for the market value you paid; and then move on to the next one.