Mouthpiece table problem

[gcsongbird]

I just recently bought a mouthpiece over the internet, prior to the purchase the seller has already told me that he had used sandpaper to 'flatten' the table of the mouthpiece, he said it's going to let the reed vibrate better. However recently I have read an article at the SOTW page of an interview with Jon Van Wie saying that flattening the table alone without an appropriate work of the lay would have actually ruined the mouthpiece. I am pretty sure the previous owner has only flatten the table but had done nothing else to the mouthpiece, so I guess I have to bring my mouthpiece to a refacer to restall it's full potential I suppse? Any opinion on this? :oops: :?:

[Joe]

There are differing opinions on flattening the table. JVW's main objection was that a flat table was more prone to leaking, and I `gree. However, many manufacturers make their mouthpieces with flat tables from the factory. If the mouthpiece plays well and gets a good seal, I wouldn't worry about it. If you don't like the way it plays, then a reface could only help.

[MS]

If the angle is a little off during flattening, it may end up more open, closed, or tip rails end up uneven. Most pro's I seen work will re-applly the facing after a table flattening, which may include some tip rail/baffle touch up.

If you have a glass plate and feeler guages, you might check the facing to see if it's even. :D

[Joe]

MS makes some good points. Even if he flattened the table and got it straight, he has to have shortened the facing, if only slightly. He will also have closed the tip some, even if only a thousandth or two. Depending on how skilled, conscientious, and vigorous he was, he could have messed up more than just the facing length. It wouldn't hurt to have it checked if you have any questions about how it plays.

To me, though, the key is still how it plays. I'm a big proponent of, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." If you have a chance, see how it stacks up to some unmodified pieces of the same make and opening. No telling, he may actually have improved the piece compared to a stock one.

[gcsongbird]

It is a Brecker 1 that I have been looking for in years... And as everybody knows I will be more than lucky to have another one so I can try them out side by side. The mouthpiece plays wonderfully, just as I expected for a Brecker, but as greedy as I am, just wondering if it is suppose to play even better than the current condition.

I will be going back to the states in a month or 2, any good refacer anound the DC area so I don't have to mail my mouthpiece to Theo or Mojo Bari?

[MojoBari]

Theo and I both live about a 3 hr drive North of DC. I do not know of any DC area refacers.