Klarinet Archive - Posting 000500.txt from 1997/03

From: Martin Marks <mmarks@-----.NET>
Subj: Re: Vandoren american series mouthpieces.
Date: Fri, 14 Mar 1997 23:40:40 -0500

At 10:11 AM 3/14/97 -0600, you wrote:
>On Fri, 14 Mar 1997, Jerry Korten wrote:
>
>> Does anybody know what the "13" stands for in the american series mouthpieces
>> by Vandoren? (eg B45-13, M13).
>
>I have no authoritative information on this, but I seem to remember
>something about this designation indicating a special compatibility
>with the Buffet R-13 clarinet, as if the specifications of these
>mouthpieces were somehow uniquely designed to produce especially
>good results when used on an R-13 clarinet. My opinion? It's more
>just a clever marketing ploy, where prospective buyers are sub-
>consciously aware of the name connection between mouthpieces with
>"13" in their name and their own R-13 clarinets, thus predisposing
>them to buying one over a non-13 mouthpiece.
>
>As an addendum to Jerry's question, perhaps somebody could
>elaborate on the significance of the "lyre" desigation on
>Vandoren's line of mouthpieces, i.e.; 5RV Lyre, M13 Lyre, etc.
>Is it a closer facing?
>
>Neil
>
>The Lyre facings are usually a little more open and longer. The 13
designation is probably a marketing
ploy. I'm sure they would work on any similar bore clarinet. They do play
flat on my R13. When I use
it, I have to use a shorter barrel. The sound is much darker than the
standard Vandoren mpc.

Marty Marks