The Clarinet BBoard

pomarico mouthpice+vintage reed?

Author: moose6589  Date:   2003-06-06 05:00 Hello, it's my first time on this board, and it seems like a great place. Anyways, I just purchased a Pomarico Emerald Bright mouthpice, and it very nice, plays much better than my old B45. However, I've found that when using my Peter Ponzol reed 3.5, it's too bright, and starts to sound bad if I play mf or louder. Also, I don't play jazz much, and peter ponzol just feels like it was made for jazz, so i'm considering switching brands. i've tried gonzalez, they were nice reeds, but they just don't match with my crystal mouthpiece. However, I remember i tried a vintage reed from my teacher with my B45, and it worked wonders. I never did have the time to buy another box, and now i have a new mouthpiece, so i don't know how the two will match. the company produces two reeds, vintage and vintage xl, and from what they've said on the website, the vintage xl seems to be a better choice because the vintage is for more open mouthpieces, such as B45. However, I'm not sure which exactly I should use, and what strength to get. I suppose 3.5 would be nice, but anyone have any advice on this? Any other thoughts on vintage reeds in general? and how about any tips on tone? this may seem like an odd thing to say, but i think that my tone is very weak and bad. it's not terrible, but it's just not great. i don't know the problem, but i hope the vintage solves it. thanks for all the help, and sorry if i babbled on too much, it's 1 am, and i can't think straight.

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Re: pomarico mouthpice+vintage reed?

Author: contragirl  Date:   2003-06-06 07:08 What I like about VanDoren is that they have a chart suggesting what strength reed would probably work best with what kind of mouthpiece. Maybe... try looking at the chart they have on their webpage and maybe try matching up the Pom's facing to a similar VanDoren facing, and see what they woud suggest. (If that makes sense) Maybe try going to a local music store and buying a whole bunch of different reeds. If you go too strong with one, and you think the brand would work better a little softer, just sand it down with reed rush or fine grade sandpaper. It would save you money to not buy like 4 different reed strengths of the same brand when you are buying many reeds. I think for jazz, softer reeds are better. I heard Benny played on a 2. My brain is mush. --Contragirl

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Re: pomarico mouthpice+vintage reed?

Author: ken  Date:   2003-06-06 19:11 It's "generally" accepted doctrine open-tipped-shorter facing crystals are better suited for the freer blowing/higher dynamic levels jazz demands while closed-longer leans toward classical application. The more open Diamond for jazz versus the closed Emerald for legit is a prime example. I've been playing on a "down the middle" Ruby 1.09-12mm Mellow for about 12 years. However, not by personal choice but by necessity as I found it the best tool having to quickly jump back forth between traditional concert band literature, swing and Trad (often on the same program). I have a very dark tone and experienced the same annoying edginess when introducing my chops to the Ruby from a Borbeck 11. After the compulsory wild goose chase I settled on the best combination for me: the aforementioned Ruby, Zonda 3 1/2 selects, BG Traditional Gold, and 01 Rheuben Allen 66M Exchange-a-Bore. I can't speak for the Vintage Reeds but I'd offer the suggestion to bag the crystal entirely if, 1) You're not what YOU consider an advanced player 2) Intend on only playing in the classical style on this Emerald and, 3) Rail alignment and facing measurements are critical in selection and noticeably affect brightness. Keep making the rounds on combinations and enjoy the self-schooling. You never know, Rico regulars might wind up as the perfect match. v/r Ken

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