 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: DareWreck8402
Date: 2004-12-20 02:27
Hello everyone,
It's Christmas break for my university and I'm starting to think about options as far as mouthpieces are concerned. Currently I play on a Pyne BN- med. facing. I also play on Vandoren- Rue Lepic 3.5+ reeds. I'm not sure if it's my reeds or my mouthpiece or both in combination, but I would like to know a better alternative to the Pyne BN. I'm NOT a fan of "bright" tone, so.....preferably something with a dark rich sound, that doesn't have much resistance. Does anyone have any suggestions?
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-12-20 03:12
I say try different reeds first. You could save a lot of $$$ by finding the right reed. First see what you can bum off any other clarinetists (around the right size). I'm happy with Gonzalez FOF although I'm interested in trying different brands as well since I haven't tried that much. I now have a box of Vandoren V12 which seem to be working out fine as well. I have yet to try out Zondas, Rico GC, Gonzalez RC, etc. etc.
Bum what you can, and maybe visit a clarinet festival to try out plenty of other brands for free (actually, kind of 'included' in the cost of the festival)
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: rc_clarinetlady
Date: 2004-12-20 04:40
Hi,
I played a Wells for 20 years and when I went looking for a new one I went with the Pyne. I first tried a PK and then the Bel Canto. I like a close mpc. The Bel Canto has a very nice sound; warm, dark and focused but the response was lacking for me no matter what reed or lig I put on.
I talked to Mike Lomax about it and he was so nice. He helped me understand a little more about different mpcs and the facings. He sent me three to try and I ended up loving the Lomax Elite A1G. Great sound, great response and very reed friendly. I also had Walter Grabner reface my Wells so now I have two great mpcs. A good place to be in.
I am playing my Lomax daily with Gonzalez FOF's 3 3/4's and sound just great. I'm finding my "sound" again. I do think you should try different reeds but don't be surprised if that's not the entire answer to your problem. I've found a tremendous plus in changing the mpc. I love this Lomax. Good luck to you in your search. it's such a personal choice. Only you really know if it's the mpc or the reed.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2004-12-20 04:51
I've only tried 3 Pyne mouthpieces, but none was good. Just my experience. My best mouthpiece (and best I've ever played) is made by Peter Eaton. They are very expensive though.
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Author: rc_clarinetlady
Date: 2004-12-20 15:40
How expensive? My Bel Canto was about $300. The Pk Pyne was about $225 and neither work for me. I ordered them from a place that I should have returned them to but didn't. I thought I liked the BC but didn't realize the response was not good until a little too late. The sound was good and I was trying to make it work.
DareWreck, contact some of the mpc artists and talk to them about what you want. They will usually send out several mpc's on approval. They will work something out with you on the charging of the mpc's to make it fair for both of you. You get to try several different styles, facings and tip openings of their mpc's. There are several sponsers of this board that will probably work with you. Try it over your break. You may just go back to school with a new mpc!
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2004-12-21 20:22
I've mentioned several times on this board that I use a Greg Smith Kaspar Grenadilla wood mouthpiece that Greg matched to my Kaspar Cicero 13. After trying dozens upon dozens of mouthpieces it is the one that has the nicest, warmest, smoothest tone and is fantastically on pitch. He sent several for me to try before I settled on this one.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2004-12-22 05:46
"How expensive?"
The Eaton mouthpieces, when buying them seperately, cost between $410 to $460 (depeneds how you pay, etc). I think that is a rediculous amount to pay for a mouthpiece. I got mine when I bought my Eaton clarinet (every Eaton clarinet comes with an Eaton mouthpiece).
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-12-22 14:08
Quote:
The Eaton mouthpieces, when buying them seperately, cost between $410 to $460 (depeneds how you pay, etc). I think that is a rediculous amount to pay for a mouthpiece. Perhaps so, but look at those vintage chedevilles and vintage Kaspars going for even more than that. I guess once again it's up the buyer. I personally agree with you though. Even a 300 dollar Bel Canto seems too much for me (at least in this stage of the game)
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: nickma
Date: 2004-12-24 21:33
Nagamatsu 4-23 - dark, matches well with Lepic 3,5 or Grand Select 3,5, should pick up 2nd hand for $100-120. Best with narrow bore R13/ 10G clarinets.
Nick
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Author: nickma
Date: 2004-12-30 19:01
OR
try a Charles Bay 'Modele de Triomphe' in M-M...quite the loveliest mouthpiece ever, beats the Nagamatsu recommended above I've decided, and his Kasper style mouthpieces (H1 and variants). The Modele de Triomphe is Sweetness itself. I really cannot imagine a more attractive sound.
Nick
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Author: Arnoldstang
Date: 2004-12-30 19:54
If you are studying with a clarinet teacher at university...it might not be good to switch without his/her approval. Here are some popular models....Fobes/Zinner, Smith/Chedeville, Brad Behn, Hawkins....as far as resistance...you might try Morgan which is a Langenus duck bill style...lowers the resistance. Good luck
Freelance woodwind performer
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Author: CPW
Date: 2004-12-30 21:55
Hey, it looks like Pyne updated at least one of the "artist" bios on their site, but I still can not figure out what all the letters mean in the bore nomenclature.
Kornfusing.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2004-12-30 22:06
......and I can't find a pair of New Balance I like....
Bob Draznik
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Author: CPW
Date: 2004-12-30 23:19
Arnoldstang.....didnt u do the voice of Top Cat?
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Author: Arnoldstang
Date: 2004-12-31 01:36
I believe Arnold did....I am not Mr Stang....just use his name...
Freelance woodwind performer
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Author: W_Wysocki
Date: 2004-12-31 08:39
A good (relatively) new mouthpiece on the market is the Chadash Chedeville blank. With the right person to face the blank, it can be worth the $250 and your time. That's my shameless plug, I suppose.
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