Copying Mouthpieces

[Jedi Master]

Hey folks,

I have a bevy of questions about copying mouthpieces:

1) Does anybody know the process that is used to copy a mouthpiece?

2) Are copies REALLY identical to the original?

3) How much would one expect to pay for an exact duplicate of a tuba mouthpiece?

4) Who do you go to for such work?

Thanks!

[sungfw]

Take it to a metalworking shop and have them laser scan the thing and duplicate it on a CNC lathe. They''ll be able to duplicate it down to the scratches and surface irregularities if that's what you want. Depending on the shop, they may or may not offer plating; if not, many non-chain jewelers can do it in-store.

Cost varies by region, shop, tolerance, and material: .01" tolerance will cost less than .0001"; plastic will be cheapest, platinum and titanium most expensive.

[bttmbow]

Copying a mouthpiece can be done in a few different ways, but the best way THESE days is the above-mentioned way; have 'em scan it and make it on their CNC machine. You will get a copy of your mouthpiece; it will be very close to the original, but it could never be IDENTICAL...

There are other ways to do this, but one VERY good way involves your copied mpc getting a slight "streak" on it, which helps find the contour; I wish I knew this method, but Laskey, Hammond and the Schilke personnel know for sure. (BTW, the streak DOES diminish after a few or so years...) The best "copies" of mpcs I have were done using this method AT Schilke by both Scott L. and Karl H.

This being said, Kanstul does the mpc copy thing with all the technology stated above, and the results are very good. They are probably the best choice for getting a duplication. I have been very pleased with their work.

PM if this makes absolutely no sense, or if you feel you need to...
CJH

[iiipopes]

On another forum, a very talented amateur trumpet player had a hybrid clone made of this person's favorite rim and throat/backbore with a slightly different cup from a more famous recipe to facilitate a required tone for a specific application.

Nothing but the best of all worlds put together. It worked exactly for her as she needed.

Kanstul did the work.