Vintage Frank Kaspar Cicero Clarinet Mouthpiece Model 13
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:481320 | Brand: Frank Kaspar Cicero |
| For Instrument: Clarinet | Modified Item: No |
Vintage Frank Kaspar Cicero Clarinet Mouthpiece Model 13.
Frank L. and Frank Kaspar both apprenticed with Goldbeck Mouthpieces in Chicago. After Goldbeck was gone, both Kaspars made mouthpieces in Chicago. The ones they jointly produced were marked "Frank Kaspar and Co"; the ones made just by the younger Kaspar said only "Frank Kaspar." The younger Kaspar moved to Cicero in 1963 and produced the "Cicero" line at least... until 1973. The older Kaspar moved to Ann Arbor and produced his Frank L. Kaspar "Ann Arbor" mouthpieces there. This Kaspar Cicero 13 is a beauty--the kind of piece that conjures up the sort of mouthpiece Robert Marcellus is said to have used to record the Mozart Concerto with George Szell and the Cleveland Orchestra. The chamber is medium size H-shape (rather than A-frame) and the rails are finely drawn. The tie-in between side rails and tip rail is round and smooth. If it was refaced, it would have been done by Everett Matson, but it looks like it could be Kaspar's original work on a really good day. No blockiness or dullness to the sound here, and the chamber is very easy to voice and fill up. Lovely balanced sound with a lot of depth, a rare quality in any mouthpiece. The mouthpiece is in very nice condition, the only damage being a ligature scratch on the back.The facing, bore and chamber are like new. In the absence of absolute proof, it's always risky to say exactly which blank was used to make any particular mouthpiece. The Kaspars generally used Chedeville or A. Lelandais blanks when available and Babbitt blanks when the French ones were not available. The younger Frank Kaspar even made a few from Selmer blanks or extensively reworked Selmer mouthpieces. This mouthpiece was given to the owner by clarinetist Carl Marks of Farrell, PA. At the time, he was a good friend and student of Robert Marcellus, so there might be a connection there. In any case, this is an extraordinary mouthpiece that will enhance your playing. Bid on it - these don't come on the market often, especially not in this condition.
Frank L. and Frank Kaspar both apprenticed with Goldbeck Mouthpieces in Chicago. After Goldbeck was gone, both Kaspars made mouthpieces in Chicago. The ones they jointly produced were marked "Frank Kaspar and Co"; the ones made just by the younger Kaspar said only "Frank Kaspar." The younger Kaspar moved to Cicero in 1963 and produced the "Cicero" line at least... until 1973. The older Kaspar moved to Ann Arbor and produced his Frank L. Kaspar "Ann Arbor" mouthpieces there. This Kaspar Cicero 13 is a beauty--the kind of piece that conjures up the sort of mouthpiece Robert Marcellus is said to have used to record the Mozart Concerto with George Szell and the Cleveland Orchestra. The chamber is medium size H-shape (rather than A-frame) and the rails are finely drawn. The tie-in between side rails and tip rail is round and smooth. If it was refaced, it would have been done by Everett Matson, but it looks like it could be Kaspar's original work on a really good day. No blockiness or dullness to the sound here, and the chamber is very easy to voice and fill up. Lovely balanced sound with a lot of depth, a rare quality in any mouthpiece. The mouthpiece is in very nice condition, the only damage being a ligature scratch on the back.The facing, bore and chamber are like new. In the absence of absolute proof, it's always risky to say exactly which blank was used to make any particular mouthpiece. The Kaspars generally used Chedeville or A. Lelandais blanks when available and Babbitt blanks when the French ones were not available. The younger Frank Kaspar even made a few from Selmer blanks or extensively reworked Selmer mouthpieces. This mouthpiece was given to the owner by clarinetist Carl Marks of Farrell, PA. At the time, he was a good friend and student of Robert Marcellus, so there might be a connection there. In any case, this is an extraordinary mouthpiece that will enhance your playing. Bid on it - these don't come on the market often, especially not in this condition.
