 The Doublers BBoard
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Author: leonardA
Date: 2006-05-31 22:55
I just bought a Vandoren B45 mouthpiece and I am wondering of those of you who use it what brand and number reeds you find work best on it. I know that can be a very individual thing, but just would like to hear some of your experiences.
Thanks.
Leonard
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Author: ClariTone
Date: 2006-05-31 23:57
I used Vandoren V12's #3 or #3 1/2...but there are better mouthpieces out there. The B45 could potentially hold you back, you can only go so far with it!!!. You might want to save up for a better mouthpiece imho.
Best Of Luck!!!
Clayton
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Author: leonardA
Date: 2006-06-01 00:39
The Vandoren site bills the B45 as their best seller. Given that there appears to be a wide difference of opinion about it (people either seem to love it or hate it) I wonder why.
Leonard
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Author: Markael
Date: 2006-06-01 01:59
Funny you should ask. I just replaced my B45 with an M13. This very day, in fact, I tried out three M13s I had ordered and picked one of them.
It seems to be a real downer to tell someone who just purchased an item that there are better selections out there. But, since that subject has been broached, I will continue with my story.
I use Mitchell Lurie #4 reeds.
Five years ago I bought the B45 to replace the Selmer HS* I had always played. The B45 was a big improvement. I tried several Vandoren mouthpieces in the store without looking at the numbers, and, to me, the B45 was clearly the one that sounded and played the best.
I teach clarinet lessons and I take clarinet lessons.
Last week my teacher tried me out on her M13, and it made a difference in the sound. She could tell the difference better than I could on that first try, but today when I tried the mouthpieces we could both tell a big difference and our evalutations were in agreement. The upper register is smoother on the M13, not harsh. The tone is more consistent through all registers.
She explained to me that the B45 has been popular for a long time. It its day it may have been the best mass produced mouthpiece. Innovations continue.
By the way, I play a Selmer Series 10.
It’s not a bad thing to try different mouthpieces. To me it makes more sense than trying to find the ultimate ligature.
Why is this thread on the doubler's board?
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Author: leonardA
Date: 2006-06-01 03:25
Thanks, Markael for your response. I obvioiusly have somemisgivings about having purchased the B45 after reading some of the comments here and elsewhere. I am going to have it refaced, which should help it blow easier (it's a bit stuffy). I'll give it a try. At least I'm not out that much money. I did read some reviews from people who love it, so we'll see. I put this post on the doublers board because I am a sax player also and I was hoping to get some reaction from sax/clarinet players although all comments are helpful.
Leonard
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Author: Roger Aldridge
Date: 2006-06-01 14:27
Leonard,
I wasn't going to reply to your message at first (since it's been a number of years since I used a B45) but then I noticed that you wanted to receive feed-back from other sax-clarinet doublers.
I used a B45 for a period of time around 5 years ago. It was a step up from the stock mouthpiece that came with the new clarinet that I had recently purchased at the time. But, after a few months it felt to me that I could do better. I then tried a Larry Combs LC3 and felt more comfortable with it than the B45. Finally, I tried a Ralph Morgan clarinet mouthpiece and that was it for me. My current set up is a Morgan RM28 (1.28 mm)mouthpiece, #3 Legere Quebec reeds, Vandoren Master's ligature, and a vintage 1960 Couesnon Monopole clarinet. The duckbill beak design of the Morgan clarinet mouthpiece is a great help to me in doubling between clarinet and tenor saxophone....given their extreme embouchure differences. I've also been extremely happy with the vibrant tonal qualities and level of projection of a Morgan. I highly recommend that you give one a try. Morgan clarinet mouthpieces come in a range of facings and models (symphonic and jazz). At one time or another I've tried all of them. I, personally, prefer the RM (symphonic) models to the jazz models. The RM28 feels like a perfect match for my playing and set up. However, some players may prefer the RM15 (1.15 mm) as a good general-use mouthpiece. I use a RM10 (1.10 mm) on my C clarinet. However, the RM28 feels just right on my Bb.
For me, I think of the B45 in a similar way as a Selmer C* saxophone mouthpiece. They are often recommended by teachers and band directors. But, as it was mentioned in an earlier reply there are any number of mouthpieces on the market that can help one to have a better quality sound and level of performance.
Good luck!
Roger
Post Edited (2006-06-01 14:27)
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Author: Carol Dutcher
Date: 2006-06-01 17:21
I use a Vandoren B45 mouthpiece and I like it very much. I tried it out in the music store with about five others, and it was the one I liked the best. I use #2-1/2 reeds and don't have a favorite brand. Right now I'm using Gonzales.
I think a mouthpiece is a personal preference, whatever you like, someone else might not like. Our mouths and teeth are all shaped differently and I would think that would make a lot of difference too. I have a Borbeck that is much the same and I do switch around from time to time. The Pomarico crystal mouthpiece I bought is just to look at - I'm afraid I'll drop it! I also still use the mouthpiece that came with the clarinet (Buffet), it's nearly 30 years old. And my old Arbex has been used so much I nearly chewed a hole through it.
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Author: rcnelson
Date: 2006-06-02 00:51
I'm a alto/tenor sax/clarinet doubler, and the B45 works well for me. I use Vandoren #3 reeds with it.
Ron
Selmer Mark VI tenor (1957), Selmer Mark VII alto (1975)
Buescher True Tone soprano (1924), Selmer CL210 Bb Clarinet, Gemeinhardt 3SHB Flute, Pearl PFP105 Piccolo
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