 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Curinfinwe
Date: 2009-05-03 02:15
First of all, I recently acquired a lovely pair of Boosey and Hawkes Imperial 926s which will be my clarinets throughout university. I'm using the original 926 mouthpiece now but my tech, who is also a clarinetist, said that a new mouthpiece would be beneficial, but he wasn't sure what would work with English clarinets. The thing is I'm in an extremely out of the way place, and there's nowhere, really, that stocks anything to try. So, I suppose Vandoren would be the obvious choice but I don't know anything about the models or anything, so if someone could advise me on mouthpiece selection for English bore clarinets that would be great. Which kind of leads me in to my next question. I'm going to New York with the All-City school senior honour band, and I've never been before. I've heard about places such as Roberto's Winds and the new Buffet showroom, and it might be interesting to try to get to some music stores and such while I'm there. Also, if I can get to some music stores that actually stock mouthpieces, maybe I could try some to see how they work with my clarinets? According to my itinerary, this is how much free time I'll have and where:
2.5 hours for dinner, and then free time in the Times Square area
2 hours at Rockefeller Centre, 5th Avenue, and NBC Store (whatever that is)
If a New Yorker or someone who is familiar with the city could tell me about music stores near these areas, and what I should try to do in the limited time there, that would be great.
Also, we're going to see Wicked on Broadway!
(You can probably tell I'm a bit excited. We leave on Wednesday!)
Post Edited (2009-05-03 02:16)
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2009-05-03 10:58
Any mouthpieces will work with Imperial 926s - you're not restricted with mouthpiece selection with these as you would be if you had 1010s.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: larryb
Date: 2009-05-03 11:26
Your best bet for mouthpieces would be the Vandoren studio, but call ahead of time to make sure they're open. You'll be able to try every Vandoren product and purchase what you want from them: 250 W 54th St # 612 New York, NY 10019 - (212) 399-9457.
The Buffet show room on West 48th Street would be a nice stop too (but not for mouthpieces). You should also check ahead of time to see if it will be open. The wonderful technician who is usually there just had a baby, and she may not be back yet (not sure if there's anyone else staffing the place).
As for shops, Roberto's is OK (better for saxophonists), but Rayburn's on 62nd and Columbus Avenue (across from Lincoln Center) is better. The few remaining shops on 48th Street are kind of sad.
There's also a Yamaha artists studio on Fifth Avenue near Rockefeller Center.
Advice from a life-long, 4th generation New Yorker: don't waste your brief time here at the NBC store, unless you're desperate for a Dunder Mifflin T-shirt. Better to wander around, get lost a bit, discover something or two about the city.
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Author: Curinfinwe
Date: 2009-05-03 12:52
How close is the Vandoren studio to those places where I have free time?
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Author: larryb
Date: 2009-05-03 13:23
It's easy walking distance Rockefeller Center and Times Square.
Just three short blocks north of the Gershwin Theater, where Wicked is performing (2 minute walk).
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Author: weberfan
Date: 2009-05-03 15:41
Curinfinwe..
Larry's advice is spot on. One thing to check: Does the Vandoren store actually SELL the mouthpieces? I thought that it was merely a place to play test them and that you had to go elsewhere...or shop on line....to actually buy the model you select.
Rayburn's, to buy or test, is probably best.
If Sam Ash, on West 48th, has the model you want in stock, you might save a few bucks.
Get a street map of New York on line...at least of the midtown area where you'll be. Streets run East and West, Avenues run North and South. It's a grid and pretty easy to perambulate. Have fun!
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Author: larryb
Date: 2009-05-03 16:17
weberfan:
yes, you can purchase at the Vandoren studio. Technically, they'll identify a store that carries their products, and the transaction is credited to that store's account (and according to the retail price that the store charges, local taxes, etc). If you know of a store with good prices, you can ask Vandoren to use that store (maybe even a Canadian shop). I'm not sure why it's done that way, but there must be a reason.
Ask them about debit - not sure, but no reason why it wouldn't work.
Of course, you're limited to Vandoren mouthpieces, but that's not so bad.
Rayburn carries Bakun mouthpieces, a few Vandorens, Hite, possibly also some Selmers, and a few others.
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Author: Curinfinwe
Date: 2009-05-03 16:24
That Sam Ash place look great for prices. How can I tell from the website if they have things in stock. Also, could someone give me a quick crash course in different types of Vandoren mouthpieces? I play on an old mouthpiece that nobody seems to have heard of, a Sumner Acousticut 3, and I'd like to get something that has approximately the same tip opening, etc.
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Author: weberfan
Date: 2009-05-03 16:57
Sam Ash doesnt always have every model in stock. I went looking to try a Vandoren M15 and an M30 some months ago, but only the M15 was available. Rayburn's didn't have an M30, and neither did Roberto's.
Since you're not sure which model you want, the Vandoren store might be the easiest one-stop shopping, if it's open when you're available to go there.
If you knew which mouthpiece you wanted, you'd have to call Sam Ash and ask if it's in stock. Or, if you find the one you want at the Vandoren store, wait till you get home and get the best price by ordering on line. The price you pay, ultimately, will be affected by NY state and city tax, if you buy it there, or by the shipping costs.
Of course, if you find a mouthpiece you like in New York, you may want to buy that very one, not another of the same model.
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2009-05-03 20:01
I have to disagree somewhat with post 2. Whilst a "French style" mouthpiece will approximately work with a 926 it will not provide the optimum intonation, especially around the throat tones and in the altissimo range. The 926 mouthpiece bore is quite a bit larger than most standard non-B&H models.
I have just measured 4 mouthpieces:
1st figure = exit bore 2nd = 43mm into bore:
Vandoren B40 ......... - 14.95 - 13.90
B&H 926 original..... - 15.30 - 14.10
Vandoren B45......... - 15.30 - 14.20 (reamed out by John Coppen - London)
Peter Eaton 926...... - 15.30 - 14.30
as you can see there is quite some difference between VD and B&H but fortunately any VD (or other make) can be reamed larger to suit a 926 as long as you can find a tech with the correct reamer.
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Author: John J. Moses
Date: 2009-05-04 02:14
"Also, we're going to see Wicked on Broadway!
(You can probably tell I'm a bit excited. We leave on Wednesday!)"
In that case, stop down to the pit before or after the show and say hi...I play WICKED on Broadway almost every show!
I'll take you backstage to check out the sets, props, costumes, and maybe see some famous actors!
You'll have fun, it's a great show!
See you soon,
JJM
Légère Artist
Clark W. Fobes Artist
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Author: chris moffatt
Date: 2009-05-04 15:02
try this webpage - http://www.saxplus.com/vandoren-clarinet-mpc-info.html and the vandoren website for info on their mouthpieces. You might also want to seriously consider having the 926 mouthpiece refaced
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Author: Curinfinwe
Date: 2009-05-04 20:47
Thanks! That's very generous of you. However, I just have to see how it works out, because I'm on a band trip with about 90 people, so there might not be time. If there is, though, I'll come and introduce myself! I'm short and skinny with brown hair.
And also, about refacing, where could I have that done and what's a ballpark price range for that sort of thing?
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2009-05-05 01:06
I never go by measurements first, just try out as many as you can and see what works for you. What's good for one person is not always good for another, what ever the measurements are. I'm not saying the're not important, I'm just saying that there are so many more variables that you have to play test to see what's best for you. ESP http://eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: Curinfinwe
Date: 2009-05-12 18:55
Well, I'm back and the trip was amazing! I ended up buying a Vandoren M30 at Sam Ash, and I'm so pleased with it. I think it sounds like extremely good quality milk chocolate, but others have told me it sounds like melted butter. (When I'm playing legato, of course. Marches are a whole different beast!)
Wicked was absolutely incredible. The Pit Band, of course, was astounding. Unfortunately, John, I didn't see you. I went down during the intermission but the trombonist told me you weren't there at the moment, and when I tried to go down at the end an usher didn't let me. Oh well. You were incredible, and thanks for the offer.
What a big city New York is.
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Author: weberfan
Date: 2009-05-12 19:48
Well that's terrific! Glad you had a good time, and got a new mouthpiece as well! I take it that the M30 matched up nicely with the B&H clarinets...not too much resistance, decent intonation?
And yes, New York is a big city, but come back for another visit; it's really just a bunch of unique neighborhoods stuck together. Hope you got a chance to walk around.
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