 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Stewie Griffin
Date: 2005-10-02 23:44
Since no one on Klarinet seems to know, what do you think of Bradford Behn's Vintage and Artist Series? Is there really a difference in the sounds of a Selmer blank, a Zinner blank, and Behn's own blank? And anyone tried his Eb mouthpiece?
Thanks.
Post Edited (2005-10-02 23:44)
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Author: mnorswor
Date: 2005-10-03 02:07
There's a difference. I've played on Brad's Zinner's, Selmers and others. There's a sound difference from blank to blank. Much too complicated to get into here. Perhaps it's best to try them for yourself. They all play very well, IMHO.
His Eb mouthpieces are excellent. Brad was an Eb player for quite a while and this transfers to his mouthpieces.
His craftsmanship and attention to detail are both excellent and I recommend him very highly. Also, his customer service is second to none. He'll work with you until you find something you're happy with, guaranteed.
Try em for yourself!
--Michael
www.michaelnorsworthy.com
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Author: CPW
Date: 2005-10-06 01:44
Santa arrived early and left a Kwanza gift under my Menorah .
2 yep 2 Behn Vintages to try.
One Ched
One Kaspar.
Both with the standard CPW autographed facing: Tight and long.
As for the blanks, all I can say is the I am immediately aware of a resonance in the chamber. I prefer the color of the Ched, but those of you who love the friendly ghost, you will probably find it to be the easiest playing Kasparoid out there. (not to denegrate the fine efforts of the bearded visage who shows up on top of this list periodically, just different in terms of resistance)
As for the Ched, it plays itself. In fact I had to put a cover over its bird cage to shut it up. It seems to like living in the Himalayan altissimo, but the hip hop neighbor knocked on the door and wanted the name of the my new subwoofer when I played the low notes.
Expensive, yes.......but I'm worth it.
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Author: Ed
Date: 2005-10-06 03:11
If I might ask, what is the price of these beauties?
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Author: donald
Date: 2005-10-06 04:38
re Brads E flat clarinet mouthpieces
i've never tried one of his newer stock, but my Eefer 'piece- a Zinner he refaced for me in.... ooohhh.... 1996 has been universally popular with all who tried it (same story with the HS* Bass 'piece he did for me the following year). I've three times been silly enough to lend it to friends (each a pro player), and three times had to virtually murder people to get it back. I've been told more than once that it's the best e flat mouthpiece they've ever played, and it's been used (either by me or a friend) in almost every professional orchestra in NZ (ok, that's only 5 orchestras). In other words, it's GOOD.
i'm scared to try his new "vintage" mouthpieces- what if i like them? they're costing around the us$550 mark......
donald
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Author: mnorswor
Date: 2005-10-06 05:31
I just received 2 Vintages myself and have to say that Brad has struck a gold mine here. His newly re-created Henri Chedeville rubber is absolutely superb. The resonance they offer is like no modern mouthpiece I've ever played and in comparing them with my own vintage Bettoneys, Kaspars, Chedevilles and Lelandais' I can honestly say that Brad has gotten it all right! They're simply wonderful.
As far as the price... it's a bit steep. Howevver, if you think of the cost of buying a vintage mouthpiece, having it refaced and not being sure about what you'll get, the cost is minimal and doing it with brad, you're sure to get something you really like. He controls every aspect of production and doing it this way, you're sure to get a mouthpiece (the most important part of your setup) that provides you with all the qualities that you want. For my money, I'd rather go this route than buy something on eBay and take a gamble.
Highly recommended and it's my privilege to recommend such wonderful products from such a wonderful craftsman and friend.
--Michael Norsworthy
www.michaelnorsworthy.com
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Author: donald
Date: 2005-10-06 10:32
Mr Norsworthy, why did you have to write that? now i'm sitting here working out what i can sell to raise some cash!
keep playing the good tunes
donald
ps- MN, you may be interested to hear that 175 East (remember Andrew Uren- you met him at Clarinetfest 2000) just played the world premiere of "Rouge Clair-Obscur" by Paolo Longo.... an amazing piece, just splendid, made the Finnissy "Molly-House" look a little shabby in comparison really.
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Author: clarguy
Date: 2005-10-06 11:50
Can anyone give any comments regarding projection? It this relatively contained or would this mouthpiece have a big tone in an orchestral setting?
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Author: Sylvain
Date: 2005-10-06 12:31
I'm curious, does anyone know how the Behn mpce compare to the Chadash Hill?
I believe they were the first to try to recreate the ched rubber for their blanks and their mouthpiece is around $250 not $500.
-S
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Sylvain Bouix <sbouix@gmail.com>
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2005-10-06 12:56
I echo the comments of those who have tried them.
There is an ease of playing that is remarkable.
If your taste runs to the Pyne or Johnston style, however, then they are not for you.
Both models are lively and (to quote Brad, "show off the soprano qualities of the instrument")
The Ched. exit bore is narrower than the Kaspar, as expected, with an inverse of that on the chamber size. The rails and tip are classically thin, and taper from the window.
My own preference runs to the Ched. style. The K was a bit mellower, yet both projected very well, and they held the sound effortlessly. Altissimo is a treat, but not at the expense of the lower notes.
The facing was "mine" from the get-go....and Mr. Behn is a great guy to talk with.
Both were reed friendly in that each of my reeds behaved the same as they would on my favorite Ched-Bettoney (rendered very nicely by Terry Guidetti's great facing work).
As far as cost, I will not comment, except to say that I sold a some other items in my arsenal lately and could take the plunge and indulge myself.
There are many fine offerings out there in lower price ranges that are also excellent, but overall Brad's creation is certainly destined to take its place in the the clarinet pantheon...unless of course we all evolve into synthesized sounds.
Disclaimer.....This is totally unsolicited, yada yada, legalese etc. And I do admire the great work of Ben Redwine and Walter Grabner and others, and this blurb is not meant to endorse any one mouthpiece over another. YMMV and I am not a pro. and wont be quitting my day job anytime soon.
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
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Author: mnorswor
Date: 2005-10-06 14:39
Donald,
Please say hello to Andrew and his family for me! And send greetings to Gretchen as well. It would be great to see all of you again!! I'm working on my Finnissy CD right now and will send word to you when it's out.
Now, about Behn's mouthpiece projection...
They project effortlessly. I didn't have to work to make them heard at all. My preference is for his Ched style blank because I do mostly chamber music and contemporary music. I need a mouthpiece that won't overpower others in small chamber music settings. If I were playing in an orchestra these days, however, his Kaspar style blank has a sound like a rocket. The sound is immediate and really goes. I suspect that orchestral players may prefer these qualities.
--Michael Norsworthy
www.michaelnorsworthy.com
P.S. I should also add a disclaimer... I'm not paid, honor bound or anything else when it comes to brad's equipment. I'm just a satisfied customer and friend.
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2005-10-06 15:13
Some additional notes:
Both models projected well for me (see my comment above).
I think that the K models in general emphasize the fundamental and (speculation) even #'d overtones, so (as Omar H has pointed out) we hear them over other sounds. Perhaps acousticians could comment further
I think the C-model speaks more quickly and holds softer sounds with a bit less effort. That being said, my own playing has a lot of air support thanks to Jos. Gigliotti's emphasis in my early development...and my use of a Kaspar way back then... and I am just now learning to play more relaxed and shaping tonal colors...and the C-models give me the edge in that reguard.
But that is why there are so many flavors in the coffee house.
Tonight I will try them out with some duets with Mrs. S's on her Steinway. Ah, The ultimate test...her ears.
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
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Author: Stewie Griffin
Date: 2005-10-06 15:38
Thanks for all the replies, guys!
How do his Eb mouthpieces compare to Walter Grabner, Greg Smith, and Clark Fobes?
And to echo Sylvain, how do the Vintage mouthpieces compare to Chadash-Hill faced by Chris Hill, Lee Livengood, Dan Johnston, and John Weigand?
Thanks again.
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Author: mnorswor
Date: 2005-10-06 15:44
It's very difficult to go down the list and say, this is better than that, or I like this about these and that about those.
If you really want to find out about Brad's quipment, or any equipment for that matter, just call and try everything for yourself. This is always the best way to find out if something is right for you. Ultimately, it matters not what all of us think, it matters what YOU think.
--Michael Norsworthy
www.michaelnorsworthy.com
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Author: Sylvain
Date: 2005-10-06 16:22
mnorswor wrote:
> Ultimately, it matters not what all of us
> think, it matters what YOU think.
Although, more often than not I value what professional players like you think more than what I think.
This discussion is interesting, we only got praise for the Brad Behn's product, but nobody is willing to give us a price or compare it to anything else. Although I understand that only *I* can tell if these mouthpieces will work for me. Knowing if I can afford them and how they feel to *others* compared to competing products, will, at least, help me make an educated guess at wether or not there is a chance I will like it or if it's worth the price.
This board and especially descriptive and thorough comments from GBK made me try Gonzalez FOF reeds...
So once again, has anybody out there tried both Chadash-Hill Ched and Behn's Ched and how do they compare?
Thanks,
-S
--
Sylvain Bouix <sbouix@gmail.com>
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Author: mnorswor
Date: 2005-10-06 17:16
Sylvain,
Fair enough. Here's my opinion...
I find Brad's mouthpieces much more free blowing and resonant than the Chadash-Hill mouthpieces. The facings seem to agree more with me. I've not worked personally with Chris or Guy, just tried mouthpieces that were made by them. I don't like using harder reeds and find that the Chadash-Hill mpcs require harder reeds. Brad's allow me to play a softer reed and get better resonance and projection with much less work. I also like the profile of Brad's blanks more, they fit my mouth a bit better.
Behn's are priced at $650, to mention a price for those curious. Considering that people are paying the same for equipment like bells and other things, I think they're worth it. The mouthpiece afterall is the most important part of your setup with regards to quality of sound, projection and colors.
IMHO,
Michael Norsworthy
www.michaelnorsworthy.com
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Author: Sylvain
Date: 2005-10-06 17:43
Thank you,
I appreciate the feedback.
-S
--
Sylvain Bouix <sbouix@gmail.com>
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Author: susieray
Date: 2005-10-06 19:47
Michael,
I will be in Klamath Falls OR, this Saturday to hear you play....will you by chance be playing on a Behn Mouthpiece? Just curious!
Thanks
Sue
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Author: mnorswor
Date: 2005-10-07 01:57
I'll have 2 of them with me and you're welcome to try them if you'd like! I don't switch mouthpieces right before concerts, so I'll just be playing on my trusty Opperman. I only got Brad's mouthpieces 2 days ago!!
Looking forward to seeing you!!!!! (bring your clarinet if you want!)
--Michael
www.michaelnorsworthy.com
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Author: susieray
Date: 2005-10-07 03:38
Kewl, Michael! I will definitely bring a clarinet along! ![[happy]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smiley12.gif)
See ya Saturday!
Sue
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