 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: zhangray4
Date: 2024-05-25 11:09
Attachment: 20240524_235735.jpg (623k)
Hi all,
Recently I purchased a Vandoren B40D. I was already testing out the B40 and B40 Lyre, so I figured why not try the entire series. I've only had it for less than a day, but I am quite interested in the sound I get from it. Not sure if it's worth keeping or if it is better than the other B40s. However, there is a small issue.
The issue is that the mouthpiece doesn't quite fit. The tenon is a little too long, it seems, so the B40D mouthpiece sticks out just a bit, creating a small gap between the mouthpiece and the barrel. I've attached an image to show what I mean.
I observe around 3-5 cents flatter intonation on some notes, mostly upper altissimo, left hand clarion register notes, and the "left thumb only" high C, also known as C6. It doesn't feel as if this is a big issue, as I can correct it with minor voicing adjustments. Can get used to it pretty quickly too. Sometimes, the lowering of the pitch is actually beneficial, bringing me more in tune.
Wanted to ask if there is a problem with this, other than it looking peculiar when viewed up close? Would this be damaging? Will it be good long-term?
Edit: I wanted to mention that I play on a Buffet R13, not a Reform Boehm or German system. There is mixed info online as to whether this mouthpiece can be played on French system clarinets, but my post isn't really to argue that. I wanted to try for myself. I'm just asking a question regarding a little experimentation I did 
-- Ray Zhang
Post Edited (2024-05-25 11:17)
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Author: Alexey
Date: 2024-05-25 14:45
I have B40D, a longer tenon with Boehm it's not a bug it's a feature 😊
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Author: donald
Date: 2024-05-25 16:53
My wife and I have been using M30D for professional playing etc for the last decade (well, 8 years for me, 11 years for her) and the longer tenon is all fine. I found I need to use a barrel that is 1mm shorter (so, 65mm for performing but 64mm for teaching) but my wife actually uses her normal 66mm barrel most of the time (but when in Europe at A=443 she uses 65).
The "D series" mouthpieces fit most French system barrels, except for this tenon issue, but every now and again I find a barrel that is a bit small for the tenon diameter.
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Author: Liquorice
Date: 2024-05-25 21:14
You could sand off a bit from the bottom. Then it would fit properly and also bring the pitch of the LH notes a bit.
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Author: Hurstfarm
Date: 2024-05-25 22:22
The B40D is designed to fit German instruments. For French instruments you just need the regular B40.
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Author: Alexey
Date: 2024-05-25 22:58
I didn't compare B40 versions (common or Lyre or/and 13 series) with B40D but I am very happy with B40D 😊
I can't imagine ever switching to a "normal" B40 just because it's for Boehm and B40D is for German.
Also, I tend to play a bit on the sharper side, and B40D also helps here. In general, it feels that I can play more in tune with B40D on my Buffet Conservatoire clarinet.
I think I am trying to say that choosing a mouthpiece is a very individual thing.
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Author: donald
Date: 2024-05-26 08:14
Keep in mind that the "D series" mouthpieces are NOT just a version of the standard B40/M30/BD5 with a longer tenon for German instruments, but differ considerably from the "French versions" of each of these facings/internals.
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Author: zhangray4
Date: 2024-05-26 11:55
Yes the D series mouthpieces do sound different than the non-D variants. In my testing, I don't see any huge problems in terms of intonation, despite the mouthpiece sticking out a bit. It truly might actually be a feature, not a bug, since I'm usually more sharp than flat and this isn't technically a 13 series but it tunes closer to a 13 series due to the extra length.
In terms of brightest/most overtones to warmest/least overtones in the B40 series, it goes: B40, B40 Lyre, B40D. note: for the B40 and B40 Lyre, I used series 13. ymmv for non-13 series.
I'm just glad to hear that I won't be the only one playing D series mouthpiece on a Boehm clarinet. Not the only one playing with the mouthpiece sticking out a bit. Also for anyone in the future reading this because they searched for B40D, mine came with way too thick of a cork on the tenon, and so I used sandpaper to thin the cork. Just make sure to stop frequently and check to see if you've done enough, since if you sand too much off, that's kind of irreversible. But you can always go ahead and sand more off if you sand too little off initially.
-- Ray Zhang
Post Edited (2024-05-26 11:58)
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Author: Alexey
Date: 2024-05-26 16:16
Hey Ray, you are definitely not the only one playing B40D on Boehm.
Here is Jon Manasse playing the same mouthpiece:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBNXZbVRv_c&t=520s
So even top-notch professionals play it
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Author: Jarmo Hyvakko
Date: 2024-05-26 22:32
Actually all the tenons should be like that! Because it ensures, that there is no gap in the bore of the Instrument. Of course it isn't pretty, but the instrument should sound better and be better in tune.
Jarmo Hyvakko, Principal Clarinet, Tampere Philharmonic, Finland
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2024-05-27 00:49
Two things:
1 - The longer tenon means there won't be a gap between the end of it and the base of the socket. It's much better that way than having a gap between the tenon and the socket.
2 - You can always use a 1mm shorter barrel to compensate if you're finding the throat notes on the flat side. If not, then leave it as is.
Otherwise, stick with it if it's not causing any tuning or playability problems and the gap is just cosmetic. Besides, you'd have a more significant gap when you pull the barrel out in warmer conditions so it's hardly much of an issue and some players pull the mouthpiece out rather than pulling the barrel out leaving the same aesthetic.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: gwie
Date: 2024-05-27 10:35
Two of my students have gone with the M30D on their Boehm clarinets. It's a fantastic mouthpiece, much better IMHO than the standard M30.
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