The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: BassetHorn
Date: 2005-01-14 17:23
Hello all,
I understand all three brands are essentially made by Leblanc for its lines of contra clarinets. Are there dimmentional variations that make them play differently?
I also know they all take Vandoren CB reeds.
I own 2 contra mouthpieces, one is a Woodwind I use on my BBb, and the other is a Leblanc for my EEb. Is it worth it to buy a Vito brand to try it out, or are they all the same and I shouldn't bother?
Appreciate any input.
Willy
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2005-01-14 18:10
Every individual mouthpiece, regardless of brand, model, or facing designation, is different from every other mouthpiece. Pay no attention to brand or model, and don't buy anything until you try! Find and play as many mouthpieces as you can, regardless of brand, then buy the one that works the best (assuming at least one is good, which is not always the case). If you want the closest thing to a sure bet on contra, contact Clark Fobes and try one of his.
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Author: Contra
Date: 2005-01-15 02:12
I had the stock Leblanc for my straight contra-alto and now a Woodwind to replace it. Neither use Vandoren CB reeds. Neither use bari sax reeds effectively. The only reeds that work are Rico contrabass/contra-alto clarinet/bass sax.
Try Clark Fobes. I wish my band director had.
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Author: clockhorse
Date: 2005-01-16 15:15
Hi Willy,
When I bought my LeBlanc Model 342, I shopped around at some stores with used mouthpieces and got a Woodwind, which was OK. Later, I picked up a lightly used LeBlanc on eBay and it was really very good. And about a year ago I called up Clark Fobes and ordered one of his Debut mouthpieces. It's OK, but I just haven't gotten into it seriously. There are enough variations in mass produced mouthpieces that you might have to keep trying them as you find them and figure out which individual mouthpieces work for you. Different people can also have differing responses to the same mouthpiece. The player who is currently borrowing my contra seems to prefer the Fobes with a Vandoren 3 and a Rovner ligature. On that horn I currently like the LeBlanc with the standard ligature and Vandoren 4 reeds. Different strokes for different folks. Somewhere down the line I'll probably spring for Fobes' top of the line mouthpiece for contra. I've been playing on his "San Francisco" model bass mouthpiece for a while and I love it.
Bradley Stevens
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Author: BassetHorn
Date: 2005-01-16 23:15
Thank you all for your feedback. Unfortunately it wasn't possible to try out the Vito as it was an Ebay auction. I bid on it, but did not win.
I did buy the Fobes Debut with Rover ligature, and it plays excellently. It has noticeably smaller dimensions than both the Woodwind and Leblanc. Similar to Bradley, I am looking forward to trying out his top SF model.
Willy
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