Greetings Jeremiah,
Good to hear you purchased one of Jari's bugles, and his correct cording. My bugler comrade, Mark Heath and I both own originals and Jari bugles and played them during a practice session at Fort Wayne (when the rest of the battalion was drilling on the parade ground). I found that my original Claironne was easier to play--the notes off the shorter Berger came out slightly flat by comparison. Mark had a similar experience. We also switched around mouthpieces, (both have original and ones recommended/purchased from RJ Samp).
I also found the projection and timbre of my Claironne better than the Berger (this is likely due to the differences in metals: Claironne=brass; Berger=copper). Mark also plays an Amati (brass) Claironne that he was likewise satsified with. Compared to me, Mark has continued to play his Berger bugle at CW and SUVCW events (he regularly is tapped to play 'Taps' at the Lincoln rededications at Springfield every year), and it is now his 'go to bugle' when he has to perform**
Because of its projection abiilities, I brought my Claironne east to serve as 'battalion bugle' for the 150th Gburg event. When I looked at our deployed skirmish line in front of Little Round Top; stretching what seemed half-way across Adams County, I knew I brought the right horn for the job. Even then, the NCO's on the extreme ends later informed me they had difficulty hearing the bugle notes.
In terms of a mouthpiece, I would recommend contacting RJ Samp, who posts on both the AC and CW Reenactor Forum about what type and make of mouthpiece (website:
http://www.rjsamp.com/). He is an enthusiastic supporter of buglers and has done much to advance the knowledge and appreciation of bugle signals in modern reenacting. Jari Villaneuva, is like the most popular (see American Civil War bugler website:
http://tapsbugler.com/a-reference-guide ... le-bugles/) bugler-musician out there--he is another invaluable source of knowledge and advice.
Hope this helps.
Bill Skillman
Hudson Squad Mess-USSS
** Mark (chief bugler for the Great Lakes Battalion) played 'Taps' at the close of both 'battles' at Jackson-Cascades Park this past weekend on his Berger bugle. His playing was 'spot on' and moving.