 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: kev182
Date: 2009-02-05 00:29
I've been experimenting with different mouthpieces and have noticed despite all the differences in opening, response etc... mouthpieces made from the same blank all share the same general tonal ... character? I'm not sure what you would call it. But from Vandoren to Zinner I notice a distinct difference in the core and focus of the sound. The zinner seems to absorb more of the reeds vibrations... while the Vandoren has a very clear "zing". My preference so far has been for Vandoren. Overall I'm able to find a much more focused sound with the Vandoren mouthpieces... I know this is all very ambiguous but has anyone else also had similar observations?
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Author: L. Omar Henderson
Date: 2009-02-05 01:02
There is no doubt IMO that the composition of the rubber gives certain tonal characteristics but the architecture of the mouthpiece has much more effect. It could be that the way that Vandoren approaches their configuration is just different than from mouthpieces made from either of the two Zinner blank formats. Obviously the Zinner format is modified by the custom maker in their own way of forming a mouthpiece so there are also significant differences between the sound produced by a player using different maker's mouthpieces. Zinner and Vandoren mouthpiece blanks are molded by two different German companies.
All this being said I feel that mouthpieces machined from rod rubber stock have different tonal and resonant characteristics than molded mouthpieces because the rubber formulation and structure are necessarily different because of the processes of producing the rubber.
(Disclaimer - I am recreating the Chedeville rod rubber formulation)
L. Omar Henderson
www.doctorsprod.com
Post Edited (2009-02-05 01:04)
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Author: kdk
Date: 2009-02-05 01:14
FWIW, and to the extent that I really understand your descriptions, I've had exactly the opposite reaction. However, there are many Zinner blanks - several "standard ones as well as ones made by Zinner for specific mouthpiece makers. There are several Vandoren blanks, too - at the very least the "traditional" series and Series 13 are different, and Profile 88 is different at least externally. I'm not certain that even within those series all the models are made from the same blanks (but I don't know that for certain - maybe someone else on the BB knows).
I think the "clear 'zing' you're hearing from your Vandorens may depend on the specific model and what reed you're using with it - each of those facings, even assuming they're the same inside, is at least a little different. I've tried enough Zinner-based mouthpieces to know they can be very different from each other.
Karl
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Author: CarolinaClarinet
Date: 2009-02-05 03:17
The chamber/baffle/bore configuration of Zinner differs from Vandoren. This accounts for much of the difference in sound. The particulars of facing have less effect on sound but more effect on playability and resistance. As to material that the blank is made from, please see "Mouthpiece material review" posted earlier today. - Brent
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