 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Klarinet07
Date: 2006-12-28 04:05
I was looking into buying a new MP. The problem I am facing my local music store doesn't carry the M13 lyre, the MP I am intersted in right now. So there is no possible way to try it out before I buy it. I am looking for a mouthpeice that will project well, focused tone, in otherwords the "orchesteral sound". Is this mouthpiece anygood?
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Author: Ed
Date: 2006-12-28 04:35
Of course, mouthpieces are VERY personal. What works for one person may not work for another. They may also vary from one to another. That being said, I have always liked the M13 Lyre. I think it is a well designed mouthpiece and works very well. It has a nice core and focus. I is very comfortable to play. It is definitely worth a try.
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Author: kev182
Date: 2006-12-28 13:15
I played the M13 Lyre for most of my sophmore year, very nice mouthpiece. Although it was too closed to my likeing..if your coming from a more open setup be prepared for a change
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2006-12-28 13:36
The best thing to do would be to audition a number of mouthpieces. When my daughter was selecting a new mouthpiece, she spent a number of weeks with her instructor, play-testing almost every mouthppiece he had in his collection. They found she got the best results with two mouthpieces: the M13 and the M15. He suggested that she go to a local store and try two or three of each model to see if she found one to her liking.
The local store had three of the M15s, and only one M13. She had liked the results of the M13 better at her teacher's place, but the M13 they had in stock at the store was pretty abysmal, and we decided to look elsewhere. We called WW&BW and had them ship out three M13 pieces for audition. She ended up keeping one, and we sent the other two back. All four of the M13 samples she ended up trying were different, and the one she kept was excellent.
It seems like the consistency of manufacturing with Vandoren mouthpieces is about equal to the consistency of their reeds: nonexistent. Still, we were able to get her a good mouthpiece, and got it for a decent price. We had no problems returning the others, and my credit card was credited back promptly.
If you want a really good mouthpiece, you should consider checking out those that some of the sponsors of this site make: Brad Behn, Greg Smith and Walter Grabner all have excellent reputations in the clarinet community, and you would not go wrong with any of these gentlemen.
From your original post, it sounds like you have selected a mouthpiece without having tried one. If this is the case, how can you be sure that the particular one will suit your needs? The best way to select a mouthpiece is with serious trial on your part. You need to play test the various examples to determine if a particular one is right for you. Can you order a set of these on "approval"? If you have a credit card (or access to a parent's card), go the WWBW route.
I went through a number of different mouthpieces before I found the one I use at present, and Ted Lane was very good about sending out a variety of different pieces for me to choose from. Three ended up as "possibles" in the group, and one of these was the "keeper" for me. My daughter tried all of them out, and none of them really suited her particular style of playing. It's a very personal and individual choice. For her, the less-expensive M13 did a better job.
Jeff
Jeff
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2006-12-28 15:59
You can always order online from woodwind and brasswind on a trial basis. You could get two or three different ones and return what you don't want.
My experience with the M13 has been limited to play-testing several and recommending them to certain players. It works best (IMO) with Buffet R-13, although I do have a player who uses the M13 with an older Leblanc Noblet.
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Author: KellyA
Date: 2006-12-28 19:59
Try the m15, and m30 as well. On my tosca (buffet) both of these models play better than the m13 lyre. I prefer the m15 because it has more power and clearer upper clarion than the m30, and is easier to articulate in the upper clarion (for me). My college instructor recommends the m13 lyre, she plays hers on an R13 and sounds flawless.
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Author: robbieg
Date: 2007-01-09 16:35
I use a M13L on my R-13V. I got it cheap from a music store that was going out of business and I've been really happy with it. It really sings with some really hard reeds (I'm using Lurie 4.5's on it). I bought it without even trying it, but I got it 70% off, so there wasn't that much of a risk if I didn't like it. I'd highly suggest going with the wwbw trial deal and trying out a couple. I'd also suggest trying out the m15 as well, I've found most people seem to usually like one of the two. Again I echo what everyone else has said, mpc choice is all personal.
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Author: fiato
Date: 2007-01-09 18:46
M13 Lyre plays big intervals smoother than any of the other M series.
It makes a pretty sound which has mediocre projection in big halls.
The problem with the whole M series is that they tune up to 440 when they are warmed up, meaning that you are flat until they warm up, and you cannot get higher if you must. In a cold hall you are in trouble, because the string instruments will naturally be on the sharp side of the pitch, and you will be stuck flat.
You need to buy shorter barrels to accomodate them, or you
need to have them chopped off.
Of course every mouthpiece is unique, but if you were to try a couple dozen of the same facing of Vandoren mpcs., you would find they are quite consistent.
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Author: claritoot26
Date: 2007-01-09 20:07
I've been using the M13 Lyre mouthpiece for a couple of years now on my R-13 clarinet. I agree with fiato, in that the shorter barrel works better for tuning. I've been using my A barrel on both instruments and it works alright, but I'm going to try some 65 mm Bb barrels soon, which will probably work better for the Bb clarinet. Seems to work well with 4.5 or 5 V12 reeds. Of course, mouthpiece choices are very personal and you should try a bunch of different kinds, and then when you find a model you like, try a bunch of the same model before purchasing. I seem to find that my friends from the midwest like shorter facings, like the Hawkins mouthpiece, while folks from the east like the longer facings like the Vandoren M series. Different schools of thought in different parts of the country, I guess. Both groups of people sound excellent once they've found the right equipment for them. Good luck and happy tooting.
Lori
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Author: frank
Date: 2007-01-10 15:16
I used the M13 for years and loved it. I then switched to M14, and now I play the M15. The M13 can be a fickle mouthpiece and reed selection is a bit harder than say the M15. One reason I got away from the M13 was because I wanted a mouthpiece that allowed me to help produce a rounder sound without hassling with reeds as much. I concertize quite a bit and need more instant gratification! lol I have come to a personal conclusion that the Vandoren M series mouthpieces are among the best out there, regardless of price or hype. The M13 requires a harder reed than most, due to he close facing. It has a nice center of sound, but can be shrill in the wrong hands. Bonade said it best... middle of the road is the best choice. Enjoy!
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2007-01-10 19:48
Dear Klarinet 7,
Some of the sweeping statements about pitch may not be taking into consideration that you have the option of avoiding the Series 13 ("American Pitch Standard mouthpieces) altogether. I have never been a big fan of the attempt to make us believe we are getting a "darker" sound by making us FLAT.
That being said, some clarinets don't really have that much of a problem with the "American pitch" mouthpieces, such as the Selmers and the Yamahas.
I also take some issue with the above posts and past posts that criticize the consistancy of the Vandoren mouthpieces. Of late, I have found them to be as consistant as any custom mouthpiece I have yet to try. Which is to say that there will be some variations due to the tight tolerances involved but I would challenge any other manufacturer to put three of there mouthpieces of the exact same facing together and have better results.
.................Paul Aviles
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Author: frank
Date: 2007-01-10 21:46
I totally agree with Paul about consistency in Vandoren being above average. The problem happens when humans start filing away to finish the product. Custom makers are far less consistent with their mouthpiece making than Vandoren in my experience. Sometimes you find a gem....sometimes you don't! Goes both ways.
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Author: bufclar
Date: 2007-01-11 03:18
I love my M13 Lyre and would not change it for anything currently available. It does everything I want it to, is easy to play, has even response, clear articulation, good intonation tendencys. It is easy to find reeds for and does not have strange little quriks like a lot of custom mouthpiece makers creations.
This is not to say that the makers of today don't make great mouthpieces, it just seems that as the market continues to get flooded with more makers the mouthpieces are really just the same while having some type of difference in design so they can call it original or market it as something different than all the other mouthpieces.
I find the Vandoren pieces to be just as good as anything else out there right now. I do wish they would come up with a different type of material but besides that I'm at peace with my set up.
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Author: Clarinet4hire
Date: 2007-01-13 20:05
Burt Hara, Principal with Minnesota, suggests the M13 Lyre as his only preferencial mouthpiece. He uses it with a Bonade legature. It's pretty hard to argue his advice.
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Author: ShazamaPajama
Date: 2009-10-17 09:23
i agree with JJAlbrecht.
i have only bought two mouthpieces in my life. i got extremely lucky with my first M13. it made every clarinet i played sound beautiful.
some how, my sister thought that when i left it in her room that she could throw it away.
any who, i figured, hey, ill just buy another one. this last one i bought is ****. i kept thinking it was my embouchure that was making the airy, and thin sound, but its the freaking mouthpiece.
so i'm going to take JJAlbrecht's advice, and i hope you do too. i'm gonna order some trials and go from there.
or you can always learn how to finish mouthpieces by hand.
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2009-10-18 23:32
There is nothing wrong whatsoever with the M series facings. The m30 tends to play quite low in comparison with the others which is great for clarinets that play really sharp. Many of my students have really improved and sound great on them...especailly my students who are notoriously sharp!
For myself the M15 is my favorite of this subset of mouthpieces. Of the M series most pros tend toward either the M15s and the M13lyres....however, some players sound great on the M30s. For me personally I play a bit low on the M3013...others players seem not to have this issue with them ..
In orchestra I do use the M15 and have not encountered and issues..
As to finishing it is ideal to allot time in a mouthpiece choice and try several of the same facing.
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Author: jacoblikesmusic
Date: 2009-11-05 22:59
The M13 was not a good choice for me. The tone was very centered and beautiful, but projection was horrible and it was not easy to get a good volume on it. You should be able to flow with your mouthpiece, not fight against it.
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Author: moolatte
Date: 2009-11-06 00:48
My personal experience with the M13L is extreme flatness in the beginning. I had my band directors and such YELLING at me just cause of the flat sound. They thought my embouchure had gone bad. I had to explain to them that the mouthpiece itself is naturally flat.
Over time, the flatness has stopped. Every time I play on it now, it's a perfectly in tune sound. It may have just been the warm summer weather or all the swabbing out I did to it.
It's a beautiful mouthpiece I don't think I could ever give up. I've dropped it like 3 times in the past year on hard concrete, and all times, I've been thankful it didn't crack or break.
Post Edited (2009-11-06 00:48)
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Author: OldClarinetGuy
Date: 2009-11-06 03:35
I have auditioned a number of these with students. With younger players or average high school players I tend to not recommend them because they do seem to play low and they not not project well, and these are issues that many students cannot remedy. I own one and use it on occasion in some ensembles where it blends in quite nicely. I use a 65mm instead of a 66mm barrel when I do use it.
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Author: stimsonaa
Date: 2009-11-06 17:02
I think that the issue many people have with playing low on closer facing mouthpieces is due to the need for a harder reed on them, as mentioned above by a couple people. A closer mouthpiece makes the reed play like a softer one, which will make the high notes especially flat, particularly if not enough air support is used.
Also, to the OP, there are multiple shops that offer try-it-first type options for mouthpieces by mail...
Albert Stimson
Midwest Musical Imports
www.mmimports.com
albert@mmimports.com
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Author: TianL
Date: 2009-11-06 19:13
like some have suggested above, just order a number of them from wwbw.com, then try them out. They only charge about 5% for restocking, and it's worth the money to first try it out.
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