 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: poopsie
Date: 2004-11-16 01:51
I am just curious, what mouthpiece is the best for the Bb clarinet? I currently have a Vandoren Paris M13 mouthpiece.
Thanks!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: EEBaum
Date: 2004-11-16 02:20
Opinions vary greatly; what is best depends on the player, the clarinet they're using it on, etc. I'd guess an M13 would do all right, though I've never played one (other boardgoers can probably say better). If you're in the market for a new mouthpiece, I'd recommend trying as many models as possible, and seeing which works best for you.
There are also some smaller makers, often individuals, that make very nice mouthpieces (e.g. Richard Hawkins, which I play on), which will generally cost a bit more.
If you have a teacher, or know someone whose playing you trust, I'd ask them for a recommendation, especially if they are familiar with how you play. See if they prefer certain models, and if they can listen to you try some out.
Also, even individual mouthpieces of the exact same model (especially from smaller makers) can vary greatly, so try as many as you can!
Picking one "best" brand of mouthpiece is like picking a "best" combination of pizza toppings... a room full of people will all give different answers. So pick the one that you like best, taking into account educated recommendations.
There have been lots of articles on this subject; a search should give better information on specific brands and individual situations.
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: ned
Date: 2004-11-16 04:43
If you are into jazz - the JB5 is excellent.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: clarnibass
Date: 2004-11-16 06:29
What a weird question... Just try a thousand or so and see for yourself 
Post Edited (2004-11-16 06:30)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Contra
Date: 2004-11-16 22:51
The one my old band director suggested I try has always worked for me. The Buffet-Crampon Band Masters. I had never really noticed them before, but they were just sitting around on a shelf at the music store.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Daggett
Date: 2004-11-17 00:12
I use the Selmer C*. The Vandorens are also pretty popular. But, like people have said, the only way to find the best one for yourself is to try some. Music stores are pretty good about letting you do so, so give it a shot.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: beejay
Date: 2004-11-17 22:52
There is actually nothing wrong with the M15 mouthpiece. If you are a beginner, try a 2,5 or 3 reed and you should get a very nice sound.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2004-11-17 23:05
A mouthpiece which has been hand finished/faced will almost every time be better than a "stamped" mouthpiece.
My favorites are
Hite
Fobes
Pyne
Have your private teacher guide you. (hopefully you have one)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2004-11-18 14:15
The M13 is a far better mouthpiece than most stock mouthpieces on the market. It was designed for the Buffet R-13 and works ideally on that instrument, although it sounds very nice on other brands as well. If you're happy with what you're playing don't worry about it.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2004-11-18 16:16
The M-13 was designed by Montanaro and then Vandoren made some changes to it.
Hey, here's a novel idea - why not Vandoren start making some custom, hand-faced mouthpieces? I would think that some players would pay double or triple for the increased quality as an option.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: D Dow
Date: 2004-11-18 16:54
In response posts...I believe the Hite pieces are not available any longer..
Pyne and Fobes are both pretty expensive...so for it's price I think the M13 better yet the M15 are a great deal!
David Dow
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2004-11-18 23:38
btw - I wasn't saying that the M-13 wasn't a very good mouthpiece.
She asked "what is the best".
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: clarnibass
Date: 2004-11-19 08:58
The ones I like: Pomarico crystal (but a little too resistant for me), Pomarico wood (very nice but slightly too resistant for me too), Eaton (my best mouthpiece, and the best I have ever tried), Giglioti (my second best mouthpiece, excellent).
The ones I don't like: Vandoren (excellent mouthpiece but not really my taste in sound), Selmer (same as Vandoren), Bay (really didn't like the sound), Pyne (nothing good to say about it).
P.S. The same resistant mouhtpieces (Pomarico) were fine for others, I'm more sensitive to that I guess.
Good luck.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-11-19 19:10
You might save some money and make out VERY well if you buy (or even just own one already) an inexpensive mouthpiece and send it out to a competent person to have it refaced. There are MANY people whose names you can get on this board that offer such a service. You're total cost would probably be much less than a custom made mouthpiece, and you'd get basically the same effect.
Dave Spiegelthal refaced my Gigliotti P mouthpiece, and it plays WONDERFULLY. Right now I have in my possession (via Brenda Siewert through the classifieds ads here on the board) an "Ideal" mouthpiece (or some other non-big name brand) that was refaced by Walter Grabner. The cost of it was 59.50 including shipping and it alsoplays WONDERFULLY! I need to take a little time to see if I can 'tame' it as I'm having a hard time figuring out what reed strength it needs and adjusting from a closed to slightly more open mouthpiece, but for sixty bucks this thing is a STEAL. I'm definitely not sending it back! (Don't worry, it was paid for!)
Combine those two with the mouthpiece I'm currently using as my primary (a more expensive, but VERY well made and well-worth-it Gregory Smith) and I almost feel bad, as though I'm cornering all the good sounding/playing mouthpieces and not allowing others to have them! Oh well. Weeds out some of the competition! ![[wink]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie3.gif)
So refacing an existing mouthpiece I feel should DEFINITELY be suggested. For possible refacers/references, do a search on the board under "refacing" or something of that sort.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
Post Edited (2004-11-19 19:13)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
