Mouthpieces Brilhart Personaline L7 alto mouthpiece

[RMorgan]

Hey guys,

I was wondering what do you think about this black Brilhart Personaline L7 for alto.

I´ve been hearing great things about the Personalines, but there are quite some different models.

Anyway, I was offered one of those for a pretty good price, U$50,00. The ones I´ve seen on eBay are about U$200,00 or more.

It´s in perfect conditions, except for a small crack in the shank, which I´m going to fix.

By the way, any tips about fixing a shank crack? Do I have to reinforce it with some sort of ring or just some epoxy glue would be fine?

Thanks in advance,

Raf.

 

[kevgermany]

There are three models of Personaline, Hard Rubber, W (White) and B (black). Last two are plastic. At $50, it's a bargain, and if you don't want it, please get it for me. Personaline is my favourite mouthpiece on alto.

Cracked shanks are a big problem on these. You need to fix the crack AND band them. (I had mine banded, but the repairer left the crack, which messed up some of the notes, making them unstable.

Epoxy putty works well, but make sure you get a safe one - forum members recommended JB Waterweld when I did mine, but it's white.

Suggest you open out the crack from the inside with a dremel, just enough to get a small groove that you can fill with the putty, making sure that the groove extends past the end of the crack on the inside, so there's no possibility of a leak and there's plenty of surface for the putty to stick to. Fill with putty and shape as best you can. Allow plenty of time to cure. Then sand with fine wet and dry wrapped around hardwood dowel, being careful to only sand the putty. With care and time you'll get a perfect finish. Done well it will be invisible from the outside, except at the end of the shank. Maybe cover that with model aircraft paint - e.g. Revel.

Repairer banded mine with a brass ring, about 4 mm wide. Not sure exactly how he did it, but it looks as if he cut the shank on a lathe and then glued the ring around it.

 

[RMorgan]

Thanks Kev,

I´ll follow your advice.

I was wondering if that, instead using a metal band, I could use fiberglass fabric impregnated with epoxy resin, over the whole shank area. It should be pretty strong and I would be able to give it a nice transparent finish, or just paint it.

I´ll repair the bite plate as well, replacing the original wood, which is looking pretty bad.

Anyway, I´ve hear that it´s recommended to drill a small hole in the end of the crack, then cover it with resin or epoxy putty, to prevent it from growing. Do you recommend that?


Cheers,

Raf.

 

[kevgermany]

Thanks Kev,

I´ll follow your advice.

I was wondering if that, instead using a metal band, I could use fiberglass fabric impregnated with epoxy resin, over the whole shank area. It should be pretty strong and I would be able to give it a nice transparent finish, or just paint it.

I´ll repair the bite plate as well, replacing the original wood, which is looking pretty bad.

Anyway, I´ve hear that it´s recommended to drill a small hole in the end of the crack, then cover it with resin or epoxy putty, to prevent it from growing. Do you recommend that?


Cheers,

Raf.

The bite plate is fake wood patterned plastic.
I guess fibreglass would work.
If you enlarge the crack like I said, there won't be one to go further. but otherwise yes, do it.

 

[RMorgan]

Hey guys,

I´m writing to let you know that the mouthpiece arrived today.

Guys, it has an unbelievable tone! It´s by far the best alto mouthpiece I´ve ever played.

Now I´ll fix the small crack in the shank, to prevent it from expanding. I´m going to fix the biting plate as well, replacing it with black dentist´s resin.

Cheers,

Raf.

 

[kevgermany]

You're a lucky man!