Still love the thumb rest, softer and more comfortable than the the Ridenour. But had to lop off a corner to use with my Lyrique 576 as it interfered with the B/F# pad opening and closing. once I did that, works beautifully.

Here's my 5 cents worth (tuning pun intended) on mouthpieces for vintage clarinets.

I had been using a Selmer C85 105 on my Selmer Centered Tone until Vytas Krass modified a Woodwind K13 especially for it, which was a vast improvement. Then I came across a vintage Selmer Table HS (same model as came with the CTs in 1952) which Vytas refaced, and yet more improvement!

On my vintage Leblancs (176 and L7) and King Marigaux, I thought my Portnoy BP02 was great until I used a Rico (now D'Addario) Reserve X0 or X5; great improvement.

The Ricos also work great on my Lyrique 576.

I guess the moral of this dissertation is to keep trying, and the right mouthpiece does make a difference. One popular mouthpiece I do not like is the Vandoren B45.

Phil - Have you ever tried the Rico (D'Addario) Reserve mouthpieces?  I have both an X0 and an X5 and love them.  Super on both old Leblancs, the King Marigaux, and the Ridenour 576.  Work with reeds from 3.0 to 4.0.

Sorry Windsong, guess you posted as I was finding a Symphonie 3 emblem.

I have a 1949 Leblanc 176 and a 1971 L7, and love them.  Leblanc made some great clarinets in those years.

Here is a mint one on Vytas' web site:
http://krassmouthpieces.hostei.com/index.html

But don't salivate over the King Marigaux 350 - I have it now...

Hi all - Phil sent me this thumb rest the other day.

I really like it, it has found a home on my main horn, the L7.  Perfect fit on both the thumb and round clarinet, best thumb rest I have ever used.  Phil told me these are only available on special order from the maker.

So what do y'all think of the one you received?  Let us know, please.  See attached photos, a little blurry, but my photography skills about equal to my clarinet skill.

I may be mistaken, but I think the 446 models came after the 424 and 444 supposedly used by Artie Shaw.  In those days, the model number was the first part of the serial number.

Rezzie, you shoulda been there in 1954 when tiny Milan won the IHSAA state basketball tournament!  I think it was Bobby Plump who hit a last second (or so) shot to win the final game (was it against Muncie Central?).  This inspired the movie "Hoosiers".  Milan had beaten Terre Haute Gerstmeyer in the semi-final.  Future IU stars Arley and Harold Andrews (uncle and nephew) were on that team.

Oh yeah, I was in High School in Indiana then.

Kinda got off the Yerke subject, huh?  Too many memories brought back.