 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Drew
Date: 2000-02-15 17:07
I recently had the opportunity to trial four mouthpieces for my new Buffet Eb soprano clarinet (E11); two Selmer HS*, a Vandoren 2RV and B44. All of these mouthpieces were vintage stuff from a collector.
Both Selmers were good players, but were VERY sharp, requiring me to pull out the barrel by 3 or 4 mm. I also noted that both Selmers would not seat all the way down into the barrel socket, leaving a 1 mm gap. Neither of the Vandorens had the sharpness or fit problems, but neither did they play as well as the "sharp" Selmers.
I made some very crude comparitive measurements, and discovered that the mp volume on the Selmers was less than that that of the Vandorens (perhaps the reason for the sharpness)?
I'm wondering if anyone knows why there are such significant dimensional differences between these mouthpieces. Are there more than one standard for Eb clarinet mouthpieces?
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Author: Karen
Date: 2000-02-16 19:54
I don't know all the specifics about different Eb mouthpieces, but I have been playing Eb clarinet for several years. I have found that a Hite mouthpiece is a great fit for good intonation. I use one with a Yamaha Eb, as does one of my students. We both experience very few intonation problems. I hope this information is helpful
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Author: Alphie
Date: 2000-02-16 22:00
When I started to play the Eb-cl. on a more frequent basis 18 years ago I was using an old Selmer C*. I can't remember that I had any abnormal intonation problems with that. My only experience with Selmer MP's since than is the 85-series that I used on my regular Buffet RC-model that I was using at the time. That particular combination made me very sharp though. I find it very unlikely that Selmer design their MP's only to fit their own instruments. That would be suicidal business wise. Fact is still that you tend to go sharp using the combination Buffet cl./Selmer MP. (Do others have the same experience?). I think that the model "E11" is the same as the RC, only less expensive since the key-work has a simpler design. Anyway, if you have to pull out 3-4mm on an Eb-cl. you have to keep looking for new equipment. No one can live with that. Have you tried different barrels? At the moment I'm playing Eb Buffet Prestige/Mitchell Lurie MP with a custom-made Buffet/Chadash barrel and I'm very happy with that combination. Good luck :^)
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Author: Drew
Date: 2000-02-17 00:25
Alphie,
Thanks for your comments.
Since sharpness seems to be specific to Selmer mp's, I'm eliminating them from serious consideration for now. By sharp I mean way sharp, like 40 cents! Since I'm really looking for a mouthpiece, I'll continue the search for one that will work well in all dimensions (intonation, tone quality, response, resistance). I don't want to consider a different barrel unless it becomes mandatory to work with the final selected mouthpiece.
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Author: Marie
Date: 2000-02-17 07:39
Drew, please allow me to query my own related issues to your post:
I'm playing a Fobes mouthpiece on a new Buffet Eb R-13. I tried my used, cut-off (via sharp sissors) but good Bb Van 4(Variety Pack reeds on the fobes and found that it played horrifically sharp whereas, the rico Eb 3 reeds played flatter (better in tune) and were far easier to control.
I'm wondering if I need to drop a strength for the Bb Van reeds to fit the Eb mp. If that's the case,I suppose I should just buy Eb reeds...however, I'd prefer a more focused and less shrill sound than the ricos. (no offense)
How did others find the Fobes? And did you find a good reed to match?
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Author: earl thomas
Date: 2000-02-17 14:54
Drew: Thanks for your information. The Hite Eb mpc solution is probably quite valid at this time - also the Chas. Bay. Peter Spriggs in Penticton, BC, Canada (see his web site in Sneezy.org) can provide you with a longer barrell for the responsive Selmer you mention. As for reeds, I use either the 2RV Vandoren mpc or one of two older
Ann Arbor Kaspar mpcs, but find that the Black Masters Soprano reeds (narrower reeds, right?) when you cut off about a quarter inch work splendidly. If you don't want to bother cutting of a quarter inch, try removing the top ring on the barrel-joint, if possible. Best of luck to you. The Eb clarinet was a favorite of Stravinsky's until such time as he heard it played not too well - what a pity. ET
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