 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: monzamess
Date: 2008-07-07 17:47
Hi, I'm looking for a better bass clarinet mouthpiece. I am an amateur who plays for fun, usually jazz or pop music. On saxes (large and small) and Bb clarinet, I prefer a larger opening/soft reed combination.
I have a Ridenour 147 bass clarinet (low Eb) with its included mouthpiece. My biggest problem is getting upper clarion notes out (like many other people I guess) and getting volume.
I find the stock mouthpiece to be too closed for me. I measured it at .071" with some feeler gauges. With a brand new medium-strength reed I can hit the upper clarion OK, but after the reed breaks in, I lose it, even though I can still hit the altissimo. I also can't really get much volume and in general I'm not happy playing it, so I don't think just getting a harder reed is the best way to go for me.
On a whim I took a tenor sax mouthpiece, Rico Graftonite A5 (.095" opening), made a "cork" out of masking tape and shoved it into the mouthpiece receiver on the BC. It was fairly free-blowing, and the full range of the horn was playable up to altissimo G, though the lowest notes weren't the best (maybe my tape "cork" was leaking air). Volume was nice too. The tone was bad and the intonation questionable so this is not a permanent solution.
I was considering a Pomarico Jazz* mouthpiece; any opinions on that, or other suggestions? I'd like to keep it under $150.
Thanks.
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Author: William
Date: 2008-07-07 20:11
I personally recommend Walter Grabners bass mouthpieces. I play one of his older CSBS models on my Buffet Prestige low C bass and love it. Great response in all registers and all the power I need for those tutti passages. Look him up under ClarinetExpress.
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2008-07-07 20:28
You might want to ask Brad Behn about one of his Ouverture mouthpieces. I could choose a facing for my Bb mouthpiece (very happy with it), maybe he's offering a similar service for his Bass beaks.
--
Ben
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2008-07-07 21:47
Selmer C*, just make sure you try several C** if you want a little more opened. Or the Fobes BB facing, I use the Selmer mostly but I really like the Fobes too. ESP www.peabody.jhu.edu/457
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Author: woodwind650
Date: 2008-07-07 22:47
I have Clarks's RR facing but I also have the Vandoren B40 facing which sounds great as well.
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Author: monzamess
Date: 2008-07-08 13:55
Thanks for the responses.
Do you know where I can find specifications on Selmer and Vandoren mouthpieces? I've found nothing so far looking at different retailers and through a general web search.
Fobes's largest opening is only a bit larger than what I have now, and Grabner's jazz piece is only a hair bigger. Yet, they are known to be great mouthpieces.
I think I'm falling into a trap of comparing sax and clarinet mouthpieces and equating the effect of tip opening on the two instruments.
What other factors related to the mouthpiece affect the clarion response of a bass clarinet?
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Author: Bassie
Date: 2008-07-08 15:01
http://www.vandoren.fr/en/clarinetbass.html
http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=235265&t=235265
B40 for me...
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Author: Ebclarinet1
Date: 2008-07-08 15:18
I'm using the Lawrie Bloom model that Walter Grabner sells. I like this better than his other(older) models. It has very good control and sound, although not as "big" as some. The upper notes are no problem with this mouthpiece. Have also had excellent luck with several others: Garrett, Bay, and Selmer (in fact several take Selmer mouthpieces and re-work them). I have not tried the Fobes bass mouthpieces but love his on my other clarinets.
As with all mouthpieces, try several and see what works best for you.
Eefer guy
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Author: Ed
Date: 2008-07-08 22:47
monzamess says:
"Fobes's largest opening is only a bit larger than what I have now, and Grabner's jazz piece is only a hair bigger. Yet, they are known to be great mouthpieces"
The only way you will really know the results is by playing. Don't get hung up on the measurements. There is a LOT mote to a good mouthpiece than tip opening or facing measurements.
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Author: William
Date: 2008-07-10 14:20
"(in fact several take Selmer mouthpieces and re-work them). "
This is, in fact, what Walter G used to do. My CXBS Grabner model is actually a Selmer C* that he "re-worked" or customized. He also worked on my Vandoran B45 and improved its performance quite a bit. His more recent models, including the Lawrie Bloom, are made from Zinner blanks and are reportably the best yet. These bass mouthpieces are most definately worth a try--more (better) info can be found at ClarinetExpress.
With the need to match your reed strength to the tip opening of the mouthpiece, judging a mouthpiece by its specifications ONLY is not a good idea. The true test is in the playing. Even two mouthpieces with the SAME specifications will often not play exactly the same. The world of clarinetting is truely at peace when you (get lucky) and find the one mouthpiece that plays JUST FOR YOU. Walter, and most other mouthpiece makers on this BB, will go out of his way to make sure the mouthpiece is "right" for you. Give him (them) a call and best of luck.
http://www.clarinetxpress.com/
Post Edited (2008-07-10 18:57)
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Author: monzamess
Date: 2008-07-15 11:39
Ok, so I bought the Pomarico Jazz * piece. So far I like it. The wider opening, and whatever other relevant characteristics it has, makes it easier to consistently hit the upper clarion. I like the tone in the lower register.
It's not a magic cure-all; only practice does that, and I think practicing with this piece will be more productive than with the stock piece. I also think I need to develop a lot more before I start trying too many different mouthpieces, however, I still appreciate all the advice given.
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