Klarinet Archive - Posting 000395.txt from 2003/03

From: "Dan Arsenault" <danarsenault@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] Setup observations
Date: Sun, 9 Mar 2003 12:21:56 -0500

I've had my new R-13 for two months now, except for Brannenizing for a week.
Naturally, I've been going through mouthpieces and barrels to get the best
sound combination and tuning. Here's what I have learned, of course your
mileage will definitely vary.

In my practice table I have:

Brannenized Buffet R-13
Yamaha YCL-250
Vandoren 5RV-88
Vandoren B45 13
Vandoren B45 lyre
Charles Bay H3
Clark Fobes Debut
Stock mouthpeices
Stock barrels (66 mm buffet and 65 mm Yamaha)
Moennig 65 mm barrel
Chaddash 65 mm barrel
Chaddash 64 mm barrel
Legere 'reeds' from 3 to 4

Currently I use the stock barrels on both horns with the 5RV and the Legere
4.

besides barrel length, I see the most difference in tuning is reed strength,
about 15 cents per half strength. In order to get upper and lower registers
in tune I have to use a 4 reed on the stock barrel. If I use a more open
mouthpiece with a softer reed I can bring the clarion in with a shorter
barrel, but the chalumeau stays low. You'll notice that most of the
mouthpieces listed above are open-to-cavernous. Mistake on my part. I think
the Bay will go back to WWBW for something different, like one of the Fobes
less open models.

I've already posted on the good qualities of the Brannenized R-13 and Yamaha
clarinets, so I won't do that again.

I think my favorite mouthpiece of all is the Bay. The pianissimo is soooooo
sweet. But I can't get it in tune across the horn, so...

The Fobes debut is INCREDIBLE value for the money. If I could get a little
wider dynamic range with it I think it would be my favorite. It is the
backup mouthpiece in my case.

The 5RV works, but it is stuffy in the low d area and hard to control in the
altissimo with a hard reed.

The B45 13 and B45 lyre are too open for me, and, like the H3, I can't get
them in tune across the horn.

The aftermarket barrels do make a slight different, but the stock barrel is
good too. I may get another if I get a chance to visit Guy Chadash later
this month.

Legere reeds are for real!

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