 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: crelias11
Date: 2020-01-12 17:23
I just purchased an Uebel Superior Bb clarinet that I fell in love with. I gave up on the R13, way too expensive to make into a non frustrating horn and no guarentees it will be decent. I am not a professional but I was a good player at one time and play for fun and picked the clarinet for the sound that I like, soon to play in a clarinet quartet, but lost 3 months with the R13 getting my skills back because it was always in the shop. I am looking for suggestions on mouthpieces that will work and maintain the warm sound I like. I did see some negatives about the superior but that is with anything and everyone is entitled to their opinion. I just want to try to limit my expense of sending for mouthpieces to try then sending them back and paying restock fees etc. Locally only Van Dorans are available, and those are limited. I have a reserve evolution which I haven't tried since I have the clarinet only 2 days and breaking it in at 15 minutes at a time. Each time sounds better than the last. I also have a Clark Fobes Nova and I love my Van Doran Optimum ligature but have only tried plate one. I need some suggestions on mouthpieces for when I am done with the break in period in a month.
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Author: fernie121
Date: 2020-01-12 19:27
The Uebel Distributor Vienna Music recommends the Vandoren BD5D. Apparently this German version of the BD5 pairs well with their clarinets. I know a lot of Uebel artists use this mouthpiece, including Ricardo Morales. So that might be a good start. It’s medium open. But if you prefer something closed tip ESM seems to also be recommended. You really should be able to use any mouthpiece though.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2020-01-12 23:08
I prefer the idea of using a mouthpiece that YOU like. The facing of a mouthpiece is too personal a decision to suggest that a clarinet needs something else (unless you are speaking of REALLY specific horns like Oehler clarinets or Boosey and Hawks 1010s).
The latest configuration of the Superiors and their associated barrels seem low to me. So I'd suggest getting the Superior first, then seeing if you need to find a shorter custom barrel (what I did).
...............Paul Aviles
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Author: claralot
Date: 2020-01-13 01:22
I've been playing the original Superior now for 2 1/2 years daily and first thing to do is to get used to the horn using the mouthpiece that you currently use.
For me it took a bit of time coming from an old R13 to get used to the Superior. My mouthpiece at the time was a Zinner Richard Hawkins B model and it is very nice. You will have to learn to relax and just blow with the Superior. I found that I had to undo my R13 compensations in order to really bring out the horn's sound qualities.
Once you are more comfortable with the horn then perhaps consider changing mouthpieces. I tried a number of mouthpieces (I have many in my drawer) and ended up really liking a Behn Sono that I bought used, because of its intonation, ease of playing altissimo, and its sound qualities. I don't think that I could have come to that conclusion right after purchasing the Superior because I was undoing some R13 habits.
Finding the 'right' mouthpiece is really very personal. I caution you that just because this or that pro uses a specific mouthpiece and currently that is the 'in' mouthpiece, you need to understand how you play and your personal preferences.
This has been my experience with the Superior and I hope that my comments will help you enjoy playing this clarinet.
....Mike
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Author: crelias11
Date: 2020-01-13 01:43
Thank you for your response. I am still breaking in the clarinet and will be for a month according to the schedule they gave me. I too am coming from an R13 but a very bad one. I am using a Nova at the moment and I have a Reserve Evolution I haven't tried yet. I think the clarinet is sounding better each 15 minute session but will need some tweaking I'm sure and I am still getting used to the feel. The Eb lever I din't even have to think about using it just happens. I will write down any issues after the break in period. My bassoon repair guy said I am probably more sensitive to issues having played bassoon over 50 years. I haven't even used a tuner yet because my embouchure isn't up to par because the R13 was always being fixed. I do longer practice sessions with my back up horn. I enjoyed my experience playing all the Uebels. I am 90 minutes away from Pottsville. Loved the family.
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2020-01-13 18:56
Hard question to answer without knowing what tip opening you like. In general a larger bore is good for intonation on these. I play tested several of the horns and they are very nice. Small bored mouthpieces had issues with tuning.
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
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Author: crelias11
Date: 2020-01-13 22:10
I am a bassoon player getting back to clarinet. The Superior is a clarinet that I can actually play after struggling with a really bad R13. I knew about the different openings in a mouthpiece but with a bad horn it was not possible to know what I like. I think my 3 mouthpieces are med opening. The Fobes Nova seems to squeak all the time. Haven'y tried the B45 yet. I didn't know mouthpieces came in different bore sizes, just lengths. I like the darker sound so I will have to do more research I guess. I am still breaking in the clarinet. I am trying to get ideas for after the break in period. I know it needs some tweaking but some of it is me bumping keys that are a bit different than the previous horn. I haven't even worked with the tuner yet to find the funky notes. I will research larger bore mouthpieces that give the dark richer sound I guess.
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2020-01-14 21:55
There's not a lot written about the bores in mouthpieces. You may not find too much. The best bore I've seen recently is on the Selmer Concept mouthpiece. But the rails need some work on them, without adjustments these tent to be stuffy.
The Vandoren BD5's are a shade too open, 1.13MM's and up, plus the bore is a bit too small. I haven't played on any of the Fobes lately. He's always made very nice mouthpieces, but if it's squeaking it's probably a facing situation. Mouthpieces can and will warp, with the exception of glass. Feel free in writing as I do have the bore and chamber measurements of most good mouthpieces. The stinky mouthpieces I haven't taken measurements.
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
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