DESIGN OPTIONS

​

SOPRANO CLARINET

​

​

Model "C"   

One of my most popular designs, a classic close-tipped soprano clarinet facing.  Easy, consistent response with a warm, focused tone.  This facing design is the result of my study of historical mouthpieces such as H. Chedeville, Bettoney, Woodwind Co. Etc.

​​

Specifications: short length, approximately 1.04mm tip 

Comparable models for reference: H. Chedeville, M13, Zinner/Hawkins, Smith etc.

​​

​​

Model "Richie"   

Based on Richie Hawley’s original Henri Chedeville mouthpiece from the 1930s, this model brings the spirit of Golden Era clarinet mouthpiece craftsmanship into the 21st century. It features a moderately close tip opening of approximately 1.067 mm and a long, gradual facing curve. The result is a refined balance of immediate response, tonal sweetness, stability, and exceptional flexibility.​

​

"At the center of it is a sound concept that is inherently rich, and that richness finds its way, quite naturally, into the mouthpieces themselves. The “Richie” model grew out of a very specific need: immediate response for high level playing - whether in the orchestra or in chamber music—paired with a depth of color that doesn’t thin out or harden when pushed.

Even at the edge of loudness when projection is key, it holds. And it holds with grip and sparkle. There’s weight in the sound, a juicy darkness that stays intact, never dead , never dull—just present, and fully alive."

- Richie Hawley

​

Specifications: Approximately 1.067mm tip, long and gradual facing curve 

Comparable models for reference: Henri Chedeville, M13Lyre/M14/M15

​​

​​

Model "KS" 

The personal facing of Kimball Sykes, principal clarinetist of Canada's National Arts Centre Orchestra.  This facing offers all of the resonance and colour of the Marcellus school of playing without being harsh on the ear.

​​

Specifications: medium-long length, approximately 1.13mm tip 

Comparable models for reference:  Kaspar/Cicero 13, BD5

​​

​​

Model "L" 

My most successful design to date.  The Model “L” has been popular with established professional orchestral players and successful orchestral audition winners alike.  This facing was the result of my study of the great American mouthpieces of the 70s and 80s: Pyne, Johnston, and Kanter.  This facing offers great colour and concentration of sound while providing all the depth and complexity of the custom designs of the late 20th century.   

 

Specifications: 1.17mm tip, medium-long length

Comparable models for reference: Vintage Pyne, Kanter, B40Lyre, BD4, also preferred by players coming from BD5

​

​

Model "PDX"

The result of collaboration with James T. Shields and the clarinet community in Portland, OR.  James has been one of the biggest proponents of my work over the years, using the full extent of my catalogue in various playing contexts.  After learning my catalogue, he proposed a marriage of concepts between the Model "C" which he used for chamber music and the Model "L" which he preferred for solo and orchestral playing.  The result was a more open mouthpiece that captured the immediacy of response one would normally get from a closer facing. 

​​

Specifications: 1.18 tip, longer length

Comparable models for reference: B40Lyre, Vintage chedeville MO

​​

​

Model "MD"

My personal facing.  After extensive exploration, I came to this design that was most comfortable for me when I was freelancing in Toronto.  This facing offers a warm, covered sound with the colour palette and power that is necessary for soloistic playing while still having the sensitivity to play with gentle refinement for chamber music or close microphone recording as well. 

​

Specifications: 1.27mm tip, medium-long length, low resistance curve

Comparable models for reference:  Vintage Kanter, Pyne, B40, BD5/BD7

​

 

Model "MD5#" 

The “M-D-Five-Hash” is my most versatile design.   Soloistic in nature, the MD5# offers a big, colourful tone quality.  The concept behind the design of this model was to offer a Chedevillian quality of focus and ease of response with a large, expansive quality of sound for the highest level of artistic playing.  It is well suited for any style of music from classical, to jazz, to klezmer, and other styles of folk music.  It features a very long and very open curve which I balanced to offer a consistent and stable core tone across the entire range of the instrument.  

​

Specifications: 1.32mm tip, long length

Comparable models for reference:  Vintage Kanter, Pyne, Johnston, BD7

​​

​​

​

BASS CLARINET

​​

​​

Model "G"

My newest and most popular bass clarinet model, the result of collaboration with Giuseppe Gentile of the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra.  Our aim with the Model "G" was to achieve a sound of exceptional depth and beauty of tone.  Together, we focused on eliminating extraneous overtones from the sound and enhancing the fundamental resonance of the instrument, aiming for the warmest, roundest core  sound possible.

​

This design features thicker rails and a narrower window than most contemporary mouthpieces, producing a smooth, even tone at every dynamic. The result is a powerful, consistent, and a rich dark sound that blends seamlessly with woodwinds and low strings while projecting with clarity and presence in the concert hall.

​

Specifications: 2.20 mm tip, long facing, moderate-to-low resistance curve.

​​

​​

Model "B1"

A classic bass clarinet facing, my optimized specifications for the vintage Selmer C-Star design.  It offers a stable and reliable response with great power and depth of sound.

​

Specifications: 1.80mm tip, medium length

Comparable models for reference:  Vintage Selmer C-Star, Ronald Reuben Facing 

​​

​​

Model "B2"

My more open bass clarinet facing option,  this curve offers a more open sound with maximum flexibility.

​​

Specifications: 1.90mm tip, longer length

Comparable models for reference: Selmer D, B40, Grabner "LB"

​​