Putty which hardens, yet might be able to be chipped away later?

[bloke]

Occasionally, I encounter, purchase used, or whatever some mouthpiece which is highly recommended, and it does sound good and work well, but I tend to suspect that the mouthpiece would function just as well for me (possibly/ probably be easier to play) with a little bit smaller throat opening, as we've gone through such a long period of "bigger is better" with everything, and there's only a few hints of chances of recovery from that overwhelming mindset.

When I find some mouthpiece that seems promising to me which has room to have material removed from it, those are pretty easy to work with for experimentation, but when (more typically) I find mouthpieces that already have too much material removed in any area, I can't really play around with those.

Is there some hardening putty-like material (that's a little bit easier to work with than epoxy glue) which could be shaped into the bottom of a mouthpiece cup so that a throat could be made between a millimeter and perhaps a millimeter and a half smaller for testing and prototyping?

Lately, I have moved to mouthpieces (with three of my instruments) whereby at least one interior aspect is smaller than with the previous mouthpieces I had been using, and all three of those have offered remarkably positive results.

[BRS]

.

[bloke]

The old timers used to use wax. Most putties today boast of their permanency. That might be a tough one.

You know that's a darn good idea. Wax doesn't really melt at 100° fahrenheit, does it? Thanks.

[BRS]

.

[bloke]

We would dam up the area (cup or backbore) we didn’t want to fill and then pour in melted wax. Let it set completely (over night, etc.), and then it could be drilled/tapered/modeled as desired. We had a big block of wax we used. Some candles are harder than others because of additives.

Since you've had experience with this and you are reminiscing about variations in wax properties, did you ever use blocks of grocery store paraffin?

Since they are small and easy to steer, what about run of the mill birthday candles?

(and no, I don't expect you to be the world's expert on wax, just because you've used it and you gave me the good idea to try it myself)

[BRS]

.

[bloke]

The wax was just always there. I bet that grocery store paraffin used to seal stuff when canning food would be a good choice. It seems to cure/cool hard and stable. Not shrinking is important with this. I think birthday candles have too much other stuff in them.

If I were to go buy something to do this, I’d buy the paraffin.

OK...
(I'm making all sorts of assumptions of expertise, with apologies for assuming...)

Other than melting/rubbing/scrubbing, does Acetone work as well (as indicated on the web) for dissolving wax residue?

[hrender]

I don't think acetone works. I've always seen heat recommended to remove wax. Good list of tips here. If you want to go with chemicals, here are some options.

[BRS]

.

[bloke]

(I believe - after quite a few years of various people asking "...so when are you going to come out with a euphonium mouthpiece...??"

I may (??) have tried/played enough different mouthpieces (along with enough different "euphonia") as well as played enough actual paying euphonium gigs that I might (??) know just enough to get me in trouble.

I have some ideas of features/sizes/shapes, anyway, about what is NOT offered that I (myself) would like to see in something for (again) myself.

wax:

Thanks...
Great !