Posted by Taper is important on March 05, 2002 at 10:05:25:
In Reply to: Turning the Shank Down posted by Bill on March 05, 2002 at 04:33:11:
American shanks use a Morse 0 (zero) taper. European shanks use a different taper, I think, perhaps a Morse 1. Anybody with a lathe and the proper template to do the taper can turn down the shank for you. If the taper is not correct, then the mouthpiece won't fit in the receiver correctly, and you won't realize the benefits from turning it down, that you could. My Back 32E was turned on a Morse 0 taper to fit all the way into the receiver on my Eb, and it helped both pitch and intonation. Cost me $15, in Phoenix, at Moosewood. (Tom Greer)
MA