 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: LouT
Date: 2011-11-18 23:36
Anyone familiar with Walter Grabner's mouthpiece? I play on a Buffet R13 Bb using a Buffet barrel 64mm and Vandoren M15 mouthpiece. Forgot to mention I use the Vandoren 56 3.5 reeds.
Post Edited (2011-11-18 23:42)
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Author: DNBoone
Date: 2011-11-19 03:14
I know them as well. Played on his Bb and his Bass ones for about a year. Decided they didn't have enough depth and ping. Many people on this board like them, particularly for bass clarinet.
Use the search button and you will find lots of topics as he has come up several times.
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Author: kdk
Date: 2011-11-19 03:18
I like his mouthpieces very much. He produces a couple of different models and you'd need to try them to see if they're what you're looking for. Walter is very accommodating about tweaking things if what he sends you isn't exactly what you want.
I would suggest from experience that you deal directly with him or with any active custom maker. If you buy one from a general outlet's stock, you don't know that it hasn't been slightly damaged or altered by someone who already tried and returned it.
Karl
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2011-11-19 12:52
A student of mine trialed Walter's mouthpieces last year. They were amazingly consistent from facing to facing, all playing with similar qualities in general. Of the 6 the student received there wasn't a dog in the bunch.
Walter was generous in extending the trial period as the mpc's arrived just before Christmass and the student was traveling home to Korea.
I don't use his soprano mouthpiece anymore, although I like it a great deal. His bass mouthpiece (which I do use) is also excellent.
James
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: LouT
Date: 2011-11-19 21:53
Thanks. He recommended the CXZ_K13 mouthpiece. Did your student try that one?
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2011-11-21 00:12
I think Marcellus played a tip opening of 11 or 12, so the 13 is really close to what he played on, although his mouthpiece wasn't a Grabners
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2011-11-21 00:34
I bought a K13 directly from Walter. Excellent mouthpiece
Jeff
“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010
"A drummer is a musician's best friend."
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Author: Ed
Date: 2011-11-21 00:35
Walter does a nice job and makes mouthpieces that are very popular.
You can see a facing comparison at
http://www.clarinetxpress.com/mouthpieces.html#comparison
Post Edited (2011-11-21 01:11)
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2011-11-21 02:09
LouT -- I'm sure he did, but I don't know if he chose that one.
James
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2011-11-21 02:29
Walter knows his stuff. There are a few mouthpiece technicians I've tried that I have REALLY liked their stuff and Walter is one of them. I'd go with what he recommends. I asked him for recommendations, and for me, he said I probably wouldn't like the 13 and suggested the 11*. Being stubborn, I tried a 13 anyway. I didn't like it. I tried an 11*, and really liked it. So I think I can safely say, "If he suggested it, try it."
His mouthpieces are very good though. Sound good no matter what the volume or range.
I'm familiar with his mouthpieces, have tried about 10, bought four or five, and he does good work.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2011-11-21 02:31
Lou,
Forgot to say, I'm currently using an M15 mouthpiece. The Grabner mouthpieces I think match up pretty well are 1stly the K11*, and then the new K2e. I think the K11* is very close to the M15 and would be easiest to transition to.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: LouT
Date: 2011-11-21 03:37
Alexi, do you like the K11 better than the Vandoren M15 mouthpiece?
What is your instrument set up.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2011-11-21 12:27
I like it very well. I just stick with the M15 because I have to play in so many wierd situations (outside in bad weather, outside on REALLY hot and sunny days, exposing the mouthpiece to warping, lots of marching gigs) and I just want something cheap and replaceable in case it gets chipped, or warped, or something like that.
The K11* sounds really good, has a rich tone, and my instructor really liked it at as well. But I'm just trying to save some $$$ in case it gets ruined or chipped or scratched, it's easier to replace. Plus my instructor plays an M15 and prefers the sound I get out of it (VERY focused). I prefer a less focused sound, but I'm doing what the guy I pay tells me to. And it's working to make me better, so I don't question him often.
Overall though, Walter Grabner's work is very good. And if he suggests a facing, try it. He's got a good return/trial policy.
Alexi
Depending on the situation, I play either a Wooden Buffet Festival, an R13 greenline, or my personal horn, a Buffet Evette and Schaeffer.
US Army Japan Band
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Author: gwie
Date: 2011-11-21 16:37
I've been playing on the K11 since 2006, and switched to the K11* version last year. Prior to that I played on the Vandoren M15.
For me, there is no comparison...Walter's mouthpieces win hands down. They play fantastically, with great depth, "ping," and control, and are extremely reed friendly. I've been able to use a wide range of reeds with no issues whatsoever (I currently play on Vandoren V12 4.5 but have also used Rico Reserve 4.5, Reserve Classic 4.0+ and 4.5, Evolution 4.0, and Zonda 4.0).
I play mostly chamber music, and recently did a trio (violin/viola, clarinet, paino) concert of the Stravinsky L'Histoire du Soldat, Milhaud Suite, and the Mozart Kegelstatt and feel very confident in the K11*'s capacity for me to create very different sounds in terms of tone color and articulation. What I am most happy about is the amount of projection that I get from it...I don't have to try and play "loud" to be heard.
Walter does great work, and I enthusiastically recommend his mouthpieces!
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