Some
things to consider about mouthpipes
I offer custom mouthpipes (a.k.a. leadpipes) as an after-market modification for factory-made instruments. The mouthpipe is one of the easiest parts of the Horn to customize. It is held on by relatively few joints, is readily accessible, and has a marked effect on the playing characteristics of the instrument. Many players who buy factory-made instruments will eventually, as they progress, feel as though they have outgrown the instrument. A new mouthpipe can be tailored to your instrument to give you the playing characteristics you may desire at a fraction of the cost of a new instrument. They are also available to players of older Horns whose mouthpipes may have sustained damage over the years. I offer several models covering a range of playing characteristics and more are under development. All models are available for trial. The cost of a leadpipe is $600, plus the cost of a water key if desired. Installation of the pipe is not included in the price of the pipe and is billed at the shop's hourly rate of $60/hour. Generally, it take about an hour to install a pipe on a double Horn.
The leadpipe, despite the fact that it is a relatively small part
(approximately 1/7th the total length) of the Horn, has a profound
impact on its playing qualities. The
definition of the harmonics, the amount of resistance, the intonation, the blend
between the F and Bb sides, and the
register the instrument favors are all affected by the mouthpipe to some degree.
Like all choices pertaining to your instrument, this one involves a
compromise. If you choose a pipe
that favors one particular area, another may require more work to achieve good
results. Please refer to the
following chart and testimonials from some of my satisfied customers:
|
Mouthpipe
Trait |
Effect
on the Playing Characteristics |
|
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|
Definition of Harmonics |
This determines how well each note centers. As definition increases, slurs become less fluid. Harmonics tend to gain definition as resistance increases. |
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|
Resistance |
Contrary to the sound of it, resistance is a good thing. Stronger players need more resistance to produce the sound they want, especially after extended periods of playing. A resistant pipe is very efficient, has a wide dynamic range, and will retain many of its good qualities when the player becomes tired. A free blowing pipe is better suited to amateurs and students since sound is more readily produced and slurs require less effort; however, after the player tires, the sound tends to suffer. |
In my opinion, the mouthpipe you made is great! It's just what I
want and it works perfectly on my French Horn. I can only recommend
you to every Horn player I know.
Karsten Sammet - Löchgau, Germany Holton H180 Nickel Silver 9019X Mouthpipe |
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|
Intonation |
The key to good intonation is in a consistent rate of growth in the pipe. Pipes with an irregular rate of growth will have noticeably flat or sharp harmonics or harmonics with bad definition. |
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|
Register |
The register a pipe favors is mostly determined by the speed of its growth, which is determined by the point in its length that it reaches its maximum diameter (the cylindrical bore of the instrument). Take, for instance, a pipe for a Conn 8D. The pipe should be 21” long. If it reaches the cylindrical bore before the full length of the pipe, let’s say 19”, it will be more likely to favor the upper register, whereas, if it reaches the bore at 21”, the lower register will be stronger. |
The Horn is playing great. It's very fluid through all of the
registers, centers the notes extremely well, and really cooks in the high
register. Thanks for all of your work on the pipe. It made a
world of difference.
Will Norris - Phoenix, AZ Conn 11DR Gold Brass 9021 Mouthpipe |
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| Blend between the sides | A pipe with a taper length that is a good compromise between the ideal length for each Horn will result in having a good blend between the F and Bb sides of the instrument. | |||||||
|
Alloy |
This factor should be considered for aesthetic reasons and to take into account the properties of each metal. Here are the characteristics of the alloys I use:
|
The de Haro mouthpipe reacts with precision in all ranges and is
exceptionally easy to control at extreme dynamics. The low range is
particularly well centered and focused. I always feel in control of
the Horn.
Sgt. Paul Mormino 113th Army Band - Ft. Knox, KY Elkhart 8D Yellow Brass 9021 Mouthpipe
Your custom leadpipe, with the right mouthpiece, has made the 12D, normally an average horn, into a superior, better tuned descant horn that plays and sounds better than any descant model I have tried in the past 30 years.
Gene Standley Principal Horn, Columbus Symphony Orchestra Conn 12D Yellow Brass Descant/9519 Mouthpipe
The pipe has just the right amount of resistance. It gives a feeling of having something to blow against, but it's not too restrictive. The dynamic range is wonderful. Slurs are comfortable and intonation is right on target, with there being enough room to adjust as needed.
Dave O'Neal - Huntington, WV Sansone Double Yellow Brass 9019X Mouthpipe |
All mouthpipes are available in Yellow Brass, Nickel Silver, and Red Brass and are furnished complete with a hand guard, protective sleeve, and cap.
|
9021 |
This is a pipe for the player who likes a lot of resistance. It is very efficient, with very good definition to the harmonics, a wide dynamic range, and a strong, easily produced, low range. Attacks are clean at the softest pianissimo and it is almost impossible to over blow. It has been used with excellent results on Conn 8D's, 10 & 11D's, and King Eroicas and Fidelios. |
| 9019X | This pipe is an excellent all around player. It offers good definition throughout the range and has a very strong middle and upper range. It speaks well and has a wide dynamic range. Slurs are especially smooth. It has found a nice home on Holtons, 8D's, 10 & 11D's and should work very well on any Horn with a .468" bore. |
| 9519 | This pipe offers good definition to the harmonics and moderate resistance. It is a well-rounded pipe, fitting in well in chamber, orchestral, or band settings. It has an excellent blend between the Bb and F sides and works well on Holtons, Conn 8D's, 10 & 11D's, and 6D's. |
|
0019 |
This is a free blowing pipe with fluid slurs. Each note has a very wide slot for those players who prefer ample pitch control. It works well on Holtons and 6D's. |
All pipes are available on a trial basis, which shall be no longer than 10 days from the date you receive the pipe. This trial period is applicable only to pipes that have not been installed on an instrument, either by me or another repairman. Pipes are supplied with a tuning slide receiver to facilitate testing without installation. A deposit is required covering the full cost of the pipe, which is $600, plus the cost of a water key if one is desired. This deposit is fully refundable at the end of the trial period if you choose not to purchase a pipe and after the pipe is returned intact. Any minor damage to the pipe will result in the deduction of the repair costs from your deposit. Any major damage will result in the forfeiture of the deposit. If the pipe is kept beyond the 10 day trial period, it is assumed that you would like to purchase it and the deposit will not be refunded.
PLEASE NOTE: I bend each pipe to fit the Horn on which it will be used. While most brands keep roughly the same bend from instrument to instrument, variation always occurs, especially through the years. Because of this, it is best to have the Horn, or at least the original leadpipe, here in the shop as a pattern. I cannot use tracings, photographs, photocopies, or any other facsimile of the pipe as the pattern.
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