 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: smross
Date: 2006-02-01 08:19
Hello all-
I'm currently playing on a Charles Bay Eb mouthpiece on a Buffet Eb R-13. I've been playing Vandoren (blue box) 3.5 with varying success. I've generally struggled with overall response and hardness. When I really blow (perhaps too much) I can better response, but not the greatest tone quality.
I was thinking perhaps that the 3.5 is not the proper reed strength for this particular mouthpiece. Does anyone have a specific recommendation for this mouthpiece in hopes of improving my Eb experience?  Thanks!!!
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Author: OpusII
Date: 2006-02-01 08:30
I had the same problems with my Viotto RH Eb mouthpiece until I switched to Rico Concert Grand Select Thick Blank Bb Reeds. They're real magic on my Eb clarinet! But what works for me doesn't have to work for you....
Post Edited (2006-02-01 09:25)
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Author: Ebclarinet1
Date: 2006-02-01 12:19
Although I don't use a Bay mouthpiece, this might be of some help.
What I've found is that the best Eefer reeds are Bb reeds where I've cut a little (5-8 mm) of the end off to fit the mouthpiece (in my case either a Fobes or a Grabner). The first time I did it, I just used my Eefer reeds a a measure as to how shortened the Bb reeds had to be. This wider faced reed seems to give a much less stuffy sound than normal Eefer reed and especially better sound in the lower notes. The solo in Bolero comes out much better on shortened Bb reeds, for example. Have done this with Vandoren (of all types) and Mozart style (Davie cane) reeds but am sure others would work fine too. For the trimming process I've used everything from a guillotine like device with a strong blade, oboe reed knives, to scissors and garden shears. Some reed brands tend to split with the more crude sorts of reed shortening but getting them wet first seems to stop that too.
I've used everything between 3 and 4 strength Bb reeds and all seemed to be OK on the Eefer whereas I normally had to use at least 4 pre-made Eefer reeds.
Anyway give that a try.
Eefer guy
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Author: bob49t
Date: 2006-02-01 16:56
Another vote for cutting the feet from a Bb reed.
I find this works really well on my Grabner 'piece.
Using Gonzales FOF's, which have a taper narrowing to the butt, I find the reed fits the mouthpiece rails beautifully and would endorse Eefer Guy's comments on the playability of Bb reeds on Eb.
May just be 2 of us though !
BobT
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Author: redwine
Date: 2006-02-01 17:11
Hello,
As an e-flat player (US Naval Academy Band), I also cut off the butt end of b-flat reeds. I also have found that a close faced mouthpiece works best with hard reeds for intonation on the e-flat, even though I play a very open b-flat mouthpiece with somewhat hard reeds. I usually don't file the sides down--they just fit on my mouthpiece, but you could run the right and left edges of the reed on a bastard file to narrow the reed.
Ben Redwine, DMA
owner, RJ Music Group
Assistant Professor, The Catholic University of America
Selmer Paris artist
www.rjmusicgroup.com
www.redwinejazz.com
www.reedwizard.com
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Author: glin
Date: 2006-02-01 17:29
While I don't play a heck of a whole lot on the Eb soprano, I find regular Bb sopranos with the butt ends sawed or cut off work very well.
You might also try Vandoren White or Black Master (German) reeds. They fit perfectly on a lot of Eb mouthpieces out there without having to cut down the butt ends.
Good luck!
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2006-02-01 18:35
My old Vitoplastic, which is a horrible instrument (that's what happens after 15 years of abuse and no repair), sounds reasonable with a Vandoren B40 and a Marca Eb reeds.
Good luck.
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