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In what direction

Author: ctt489
Date: 2003-03-21 18:32

This may sound a bit obscure but if I am playing on Vandoren B45 what direction of mouthpiece choice should I go to maintain comfort but use harder reeds and acheive a round, full sound?
I'd like to to try out a few - Pyne, Kasper Cicero, Fobes, Vandoren, Bay but I need a reference point to go from.

My setup
R13's Bb (leather pads by Emilio Lyons on the lower/cork top) & A (cork on top)
V12 3 or 3-1/2
Vandoren Optimum( ||| plate)

Thanks for your help if provided.

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Re: In what direction

Author: ctt489
Date: 2003-03-21 18:41

Just for kicks here is the mouthpieces and barrels I have but don't use them:
Vandoren B45Lyre (painted not engraved inscriptions)
Vandoren M13 Regular, & Profile88 (painted also) - NEVER LIKED!
Combs LC1, LC3
Gennusa Excellente
Lurie Crystal
Vandoren B45 (not painted) I've been using off and on for 9 yrs. But using currently.

Barrels,
Standard R13 Bb wood (currently) mm or taper
Standard R13 A wood (currently) dont know mm or taper
Deg Accubore (ribbed looking) M66, M65, B65

Blah blah blah...comment if you wish. I'm just venting.

Peace!

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Re: In what direction

Author: Todd W.
Date: 2003-03-22 00:17

ctt489 --

As you know, a mouthpiece with a smaller (closer) tip opening generally uses harder reeds (assuming the length of the facing is about the same). You have at least two widely-used mouthpieces that have a closer tip opening than your B45: the Larry Combs LC1 and the Vandoren M13.

However, you say you don't use them, so apparently there is something about them that you don't like compared to the B45. You could stay in the Vandoren "family" and try some of their mouthpieces that are a little less open than the B45: the B44, the 5RV lyre, and the 5RV. The Vandoren site (and the informational insert that comes in the mouthpiece box) has enough information on their mouthpieces (including reed strength recommendations) to give you some clues as to where to start experimenting.

As has been pointed out here numerous times, there is a great deal of variability in the manufacture of the Vandoren mouthpieces, so the more you can try, the better (obviously being reasonable in the number you try at any given session). Naturally you'll need a variety of reed strengths available to try with the mouthpieces.

Todd W.

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