 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Matt74
Date: 2015-11-22 11:37
I got a Gennusa Exellente GE (close facing) from Ben Redwine last year. I highly recommend doing business with him, as he was friendly, responsive, and accommodating. I tried several and the consistency was amazing. It plays well in all registers.
My question is this: I play in a loud concert band and am having a lot of trouble getting projection. Is it me, or do I need a different mouthpiece? I have been using Gonzalez FOF 2.75 and Rico Grand Concert 3 reeds. (The GC reeds seem to suit the mouthpiece better.) Would a harder reed help? I'm ok if I have a really good resilient reed, but anything less than prime and I'm struggling to get a big sound. Would a more open facing help?
If I get the cash I would consider trying his "Retro" model, which is supposed to be brighter.
Thank you!
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2015-11-22 12:29
I designed the Gennusa MP, not Redwine. You should try out mine, no charge for trying. Free shipping and a free box of Steuer pesticide FREE reeds. Redwine wanted to fly to California and learn my secrets. I was a student of Gennusa's for 7 years and I have one of his Chedeviles which I make molds from. If you don't like it don't pay.
I was also the designer of the Grand Concert reeds 18 years ago. I left Rico because they use pesticides on ALL of their reeds, had several surgeries. Notice that through the 16 or 17 years since leaving Rico they haven't sued me for advertising their pecticides practices, because they still use pesticides. However I just turned down an out of court settlement for $280,000 about 6 months ago. We will be going to trial. Not sure when. Sad part is I liked the job, but they didn't tell us about the toxic pesticides. Sadly the reeds are NOT the same as they were when I designed them. Now they last about 2 weeks.
I have to protect players that use Rico products. I care about you guys. Rico sells about 25 million reeds a year. I know I can't put them out of business, but if I can save a few people I'm a very happy man.
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
Post Edited (2015-11-22 12:49)
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2015-11-22 16:37
Hey Bob,
Of course I remember the days when Iggy said he designed his mouthpiece. Are you saying that it was your original concept? Ben has always been pretty free with the information that he just bought the company.
.................Paul Aviles
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Author: clarinetguy ★2017
Date: 2015-11-22 17:57
The GE, the most closed facing, didn't work well for me when mouthpiece shopping a few years ago. The GE*, a slightly more open mouthpiece, is the one I bought, and I'm very happy with it. I use Gonzalez GD 2 1/2s and it's a great combination, but everyone has to find the mouthpiece and reed combination that works best for them.
Post Edited (2015-11-22 19:22)
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2015-11-22 18:54
At the Clarinet Congresses, Iggy had a table where he refaced and adjusted his mouthpieces to customers' preferences, in between the constant flow of stories.
By the way, everyone who tried his Chedeville (which he said was the model for the Excellente) said it was unplayable for anyone but him, but he sure sounded good on it. He carried it around in his shirt pocket, inserted into a barrel, which he always used when trying out an instrument.
He also gave out a cassette with him playing most of the orchestral solos in a practice room on side 1 and various solos with the orchestra on side 2. What a tone! He blows everyone away (including Marcellus) on the Fingal's Cave solo.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2015-11-23 08:22
Order one at no charge and see if you like them.
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
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Author: Matt74
Date: 2015-11-28 07:37
Bob, Thank you for the offer. I'm going to work with what I've got for now.
I think I needed another reed. The Gennusa is a dark piece, and the Gonzalez FOF probably weren't the best match. I love Gonzalez reeds, but the Grand Concert are working better. I don't like them as much, since they aren't as consistent, and don't last as long for me, but I'll try some others.
I think the piece also needed more air. I just wasn't blowing hard enough to get FFF. I'm loosening up my embouchure as well, which I can do with harder reeds, and it's working for me. I might like something a little brighter, but I love the way the Gennusa responds over all the registers.
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