Well, I personally have never heard of a low-price crystal mouthpiece but if you`ve found one that`s pretty cool. A teacher I met once had one (or maybe it was clear plastic, I`m not sure b/c either she had crystal and her stand partner had clear plastic or the other way around) and they both thought they were great mouthpieces. So, it all really depends on what compliments your sound best as far as the way the air comes out of your body and the way your body resonates. Yes, your body resonates. It isn`t something focused on because it`s more important in vocal music than in instrumental (as it`s largely lost in the resonance of the instrument and the group) but it is there.
For example, a teacher at my old high school swears by the new R13 mouthpieces (or whatever that line is that Vandoren came out with a few years back). Clarinet isn`t his primary instrument but he`s pretty competent. I prefer to use an "old" B45 (one made before Vandoren switched to the Series 88 set, yes I can actually hear a difference) for most playing. However, when I`m with the pep band at my college, I`ll use a Two-Tone Vandoren (made from two types of Resonite) to create a brighter, peppy-er sound. And when our orchestra does stuff where I really have to fade into the background, I use an old 5RV (pre Series 88). It`s not much, but it helps shift the base of the sound so that I balance better with the group.
Or it could all by psychological mumbo jumbo and simply by changing mouthpieces we subconsciously play differently and with all this talk of what to use and what not to use we`re all just talking out of our collective rears!
But, that`s my take on it.
If you`re not sure if it`s the sound you`re looking for, ask the store what their return policy is - if they have one at all. Or, ask if it`s possible for you to play-test the mouthpiece at the store before you buy it. If they teach lessons on the premesis, they`ll probably let you use a lesson room. Otherwise, try to work in an area that`s about as accoustically sound as you can get. Not perfect, just not one with several other factors that will influence your sound. In other words, don`t play down in the corner, or all that close to drums, pianos, or other things that have noticably audible resonance. You want to know what this`ll sound like in a regular room. Another option is to bring your current/"regular" mouthpiece with you and play test the area. Get an idea for what that mouthpiece sounds like in those surroundings so that you have something to compare it to.
Good luck with that.
