 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Chris Sereque
Date: 2026-07-26 00:39
Does anyone know of a table of Vandoren mouthpiece facing measurements? In the Vandoren literature, sometimes they mention length of facing and tip openings, but what about the in-between numbers, with the Morgan (actually Eric Brand) feeler gauges and the Morgan tip gauge?
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Author: donald
Date: 2026-08-11 01:03
Hi Steve, I think Mr Sereque is looking for the complete schedule.... for instance something like....
38, 24, 12+, 6, 1.13mm (an M30 as far as I remember)
I did have a few of the Vandoren mouthpieces measured- I would measure each mouthpiece 3 times and average out if my measurements differed, then TRY to measure 2 or 3 of the same model. One thing I found (that won't surprise mouthpiece refacers) is that the curve can be quite accurate between several mouthpieces, but the mouthpieces will still play differently because how the curve is matched to baffle, side walls, throat, rails etc
I once measured a "top brand" mouthpiece that played like a dog- the facing was actually quite good though, what was wrong was that the perfectly even facing was applied slightly "off-side" to the mouthpiece inside dimensions - so it was acoustically asymetrical. This created, apart from anything else, high pitched whistle sounds from the baffle that couldn't be eliminated (and a name well known to you all tried and failed, so not just me).
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Author: stevesklar
Date: 2026-08-11 01:30
So he's looking for curvature charts. I have a bunch but probably easier to go to a mouthpiece forum where many have those laid out. Many may keep their favorite curves "secret" as a lot of time and effort goes into experimenting to get the best curve.
As for a specific baffle, throat, sidewalls, etc one has to measure those out. I have measured a few but I don't keep charts of those.
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Stephen Sklar
My YouTube Channel of Clarinet Information
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Author: donald
Date: 2026-08-11 16:52
The OP asks quite specifically for the measurements we can make using the Morgan kit. You are writing as though you never read the OP.
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Author: Mojo
Date: 2026-08-11 17:25
Mouthpieces with the same facing feeler reading can also play differently if you do not use enough feeler sizes. Most kits jump from .0015” to .010”. Adding a .005” feeler detects if there is a bump or flat spot between these readings. That is the worst gap IMO, but the feeler set I use re-thinks the entire range of feelers for sax and clarinet facing work.
No need to go nuts with feeler sizes or it will slow down your work and you will have diminishing returns. It is a nice idea to have a standard set of feelers. But not if that standard is inadequate to do quality facing work.
I discuss feeler sizes in the first 5 minutes of this video:
https://youtu.be/jLXNVzWbqiw?is=5Tr1Q8ZcMYvSEJgd
MojoMP.com
Mojo Mouthpiece Work LLC
MojoMouthpieceWork@yahoo.com
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Author: Slowoldman
Date: 2026-08-11 19:38
Can anyone give us an idea of what numerical measurements the lay length descriptions "ML" and "L" are in the Vandoren line?
And are those descriptions consistent? (That is, is "L" for an M30 the same measurement as "L" for an M15, etc.)?
Amateur musician, retired physician
Delaware Valley Wind Symphony, clarinet 1
Bucks County Symphony Orchestra, clarinet 2 (sub)
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Author: donald
Date: 2026-08-12 00:50
Well Mr Sereque probably enquired about the Morgan/Brand feeler specs specifically because... that's what he HAS (like a lot of us who bought that kit in the "olden days". Obviously more feeler gauges will give more information but someone decided at some point that 4 or 5 measurements were enough (I was taught that "in between the measurements was where refacing became an art not a science" and where even hand pressure and a smooth rolling wrist would be most important, but that was the olden days).
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