My ST is back from the shop getting an overhaul and I spent the past couple of hours playing it and comparing it to my (treasured) Couesnon Monopole.
Man, I LOVE this Silver Throat Deluxe. It's everything you described super20dan! Good intonation. BIG fat sound. It's a joy to play. Kind of like taking an old muscle car out on the road.
Comparing it to my Couesnon Monopole....
At times it seems the ST has the bigger sound and at other times it seems the CM's is bigger...or more projecting. Either clarinet will not have any problems in a big band.
One thing that's 100% clear to me is the ST does NOT have the tonal "ring" that my CM has. My CM has an exceptional sound. I cannot help but think in large measure it comes from its high quality 40 year old grenadilla wood. I have yet to find a non-wood clarinet (I'm not including the Greenline) that truly rings.
I realize there are some folks who are of the opinion that material does not matter. But, that has not been my experience. For me, hard rubber produces a better quality sound than plastic and high quality grenadilla wood is more resonant/ringing than hard rubber. Never the less, I really like the Silver Throat!
I went back and forth between Grabner K14 and K11 mouthpieces on the ST. Both sound REALLY GOOD on it with my #3 Legere Quebec and Klassik string ligature set up. As of right now I'm leaning toward the K14.
I'm really grateful to you, super20dan, for your rave reviewes about the ST. It inspired me to jump on this one when I saw it on ebay.
Now, I'm having a great time with the Guses: Gus Buescher and Gus Pruefer! Ha ha ha
Roger
