The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Chrisspr
Date: 2014-04-06 21:43
I understand that Vandoren mouthpieces with their trading title and Paris engraved into it are Previous to the water slide Transfer marked ones of to day. For instance my Vandoren VR5 Lyre is one of the transfer type produced with only a small lyre being engraved into the MP., just to one side of the table.
I have just I think, been lucky enough, to have bought such an excellent engraved one which has a discrete 5 engraved upon it also. does any one know what model this is likely to be, please?
I have also read that these are very much better MP's than todays examples. Does anybody have any experience of both the old and modern Vandoren Mouthpieces?
Chris Spreckley
You never know there just might be a 1939 Selmer BA., Tennor, or a very posh Buffet Clarinette at the local car boot sale for the price of a beer. O'no, now stop dreaming or you might start getting really fussy.
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2014-04-06 23:11
I have several Vandoren engraved mouthpieces dating back 30/40 years and they also have the model type engraved/stamped into the body (2V and 5RV included).
I think at some stage,probably even earlier than this they did produce some simple numeric models e.g. 2 3 4 5 etc so it could well be one of those.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2014-04-06 20:44
Have you noticed the little symbols stamped on the ends of the mouthpiece tenons? I've seen ♥ and ♦ stamped on them - anyone have any idea what that's all about? Is it the finisher's personal stamp so they can trace it back to who made/fimished it?
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2014-04-07 02:07
Remember that a used mouthpiece is a pig in a poke. If the previous owner(s) didn't take good care of it, it won't be worth a cent.
Also, mouthpieces change as the reed beats against the facing. Several years ago, a group of top mouthpiece makers said that a mouthpiece will need touching up after about a year of daily playing.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Chrisspr
Date: 2014-04-07 13:56
Haven't received it yet but the photos of it showed it to be unmarked and with crisp engraving and fully coloured lettering. Spose the proof of the pudding will be in the blowing, but at £13.00 I just simply couldn't leave it on the shelf. If it's better than my corner chipped VR5 I'll be delighted, if not, well, there's always eBay. Still left wondering whether it's a reed strength 3 OR 10 God forbid.
cheers,
Chris S.
You never know there just might be a 1939 Selmer BA., Tennor, or a very posh Buffet Clarinette at the local car boot sale for the price of a beer. O'no, now stop dreaming or you might start getting really fussy.
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2014-04-07 16:51
+1 on Ken Shaw's posting. I've wasted too much money on old mouthpieces from reputable makers that were absolutely unplayable due to facing wear.
My first professional mouthpiece--a Selmer HS* that I bought new in the 1980s--devolved into a useless doorstop in the space of about three years of playing. These things do wear--sometimes quicker than you think!
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2014-04-07 22:30
If wear is your concern try a crystal mouthpiece. I bought an A1 and an A2 from Vandoren in Paris about 35 years ago and have played them (but mostly the A1) virtually every day since and both are still like new.
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2014-04-07 23:03
Norm...that's an aspect of crystal mouthpieces that never occurred to me. Thank you for your insights.
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