 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: ving
Date: 2005-03-06 15:33
Hello,
Recently tried out a Fobes 4L mouthpiece, and I think its great--used for mainly pit doubling work. Anyhow, does anyone here have any suggestions as to what reed would work well on thios mouthpiece? I have found the V12 3's too soft, v12 3 1/2's seem a little on the hard(inflexible is maybe a better word) side. Blue box 3's may be the best, but only if they are a litte stiffer, which the current ones I have tried are not. Any suggestions? How does an appropriate strength compare in the Gonzalez or ZOnda brands?
I know with some hand finished sax mouthpieces I have tried, the cut of certain reeds may be better suited for one mouthpiece over another and I wonder if that may be the case with the Fobes...
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Author: GBK
Date: 2005-03-06 16:46
The Fobes 4L is an excellent mouthpiece which I find can be used for either classical or popular applications.
The tip opening is 1.12mm (0.44") and the facing length is symmetrical and approximately 18mm. Although the baffle is not as high as the Jazz model (6L) it still has great projection.
Gonzalez FOF 3.5 reeds might be a good starting point to try ...GBK
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Author: ving
Date: 2005-03-06 20:20
Thanks much for the info, the reed search for this new mouthpiece continues...! I agree, though, this mouthpiece is really flexible and easy playing...I'm sold!
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2005-03-06 20:25
Have you tried adjusting the V12 3.5s? If you don't like the way they sound already, then even if you mess up adjusting them, it shouldn't matter, right? I'd say it's worth the effort of trying to scrape a little wood off of them.
US Army Japan Band
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Author: ving
Date: 2005-03-07 13:09
Yes, that is a good point about adjusting the 3 1/2's. I just soaked a few of those yesterday, and played on a couple . THis time of year is quite variable with the humidity changing, and I have always found reeds to behave quite strange until it shifts to our more summer-like humidity levels. My experience has been in the past that the v-12s in even a 3 would be fine, but right now they are all feeling very soft and lifeless, but I have a feeling in the middle of July a good blue box 3 might even work well.
I'll have to see what I can come up with when I try adjustin them.
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Author: AJN
Date: 2005-03-07 16:08
When I'm using my Fobes 4L--which I agree is a really good-sounding mouthpiece (the only drawback being that the altissimo doesn't really pop out for me as well as it does on some others)--I use Gonzalez 3.5 reeds. As for V-12's, I either have to use a relatively stiff 3.5 or a relatively soft 4.
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Author: ving
Date: 2005-03-07 16:52
Has anyone had any experience with grand Concert Selects on the 4L?
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Author: ving
Date: 2005-03-14 16:03
Well, the search goes on, but Grand Concert Selects seem to be a good match in a 3 1/2. I didn't get into the V12's at all on this mouthpiece, but blue box 3 1/2 worked reasonably well if I needed a slightly darker sound. Anyhow, the Fobes mouthpiece is a great playing one that I would highly recommmend to any doublers out there....it had made my clarinet playing life considerably easier on the chops....
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