 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: knappyman
Date: 2009-06-11 16:48
Hey all,
I just purchased a Richard Hawkins, model R mouthpiece. I've been trying various reeds and strengths, and I'm curious if anyone has a suggestion. I play on a standard R-13, and I'm coming from using a Johnston J model with Zonda 3.5 I reeds. Zonda seems to be lessening in quality and I noticed the sound of them becoming thinner and brighter. Any ideas would be very welcome!
Thanks!
~Jeremy
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Author: Iceland clarinet
Date: 2009-06-11 17:01
You will get lots of different opinions on this but just to put out my 2 cents of advice I would suggest that you try some thicker heal reeds like Vandoren V-12 or Rue Lepic,Xilema Professional(The doctor and Ben Redwine sell them), Rico Reserve or any of the Grand Concert types. But remember that the R model is very closed so you will have to move up in strength about 1/2-1.
As best I can tell then Xilema D strength,Reserve 3.5+ and Vandoren V-12 #3 or 3.5 and Rue Lepic 3.5 would be similar to Zonda 3.5. Both Zonda and Gonzalez(same company) run slightly harder than Rico or Vandoren.
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2009-06-11 17:10
Why not contact Hawkins himself? If anyone would know what reeds would workl best with a particular mouthpiece, the maker of the mouthpiece would be the source of choice.
http://www.richardhawkinsmouthpiece.com/
Jeff
“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010
"A drummer is a musician's best friend."
Post Edited (2009-06-11 21:12)
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Author: Iceland clarinet
Date: 2009-06-11 18:14
Jeff this might be a good point to start off with but I use different reeds than the several mouthpieces makers do recommend for their mouthpieces with very good result. For me it's just a result to trials and errors for my self in that matter.
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Author: Pappy
Date: 2009-06-11 18:27
" Both Zonda and Gonzalez(same company)"
Have they always been the same company? Just curious.
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Author: srattle
Date: 2009-06-11 18:53
If I remember correctly, Richard usually makes his mouthpieces to play V12s between 3.5 and 4.5 strength. I would strongly suggest trying a 4 or 4.5 since he tends to prefer leaning towards the stronger reed strength, and will probably craft his mouthpieces for that.
However, I definitely think you should contact him and ask the man himself. Afterall, he probably has a much better insight into his pieces than anyone on this board...
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Author: awm34
Date: 2009-06-14 13:57
I corresponded with Hawkins on this subject recently. I use VD blue box 3.5 reeds on a Hawkins B MP and was trying a Legere Quebec without much success -- even though he sounds wonderful.
He suggested either Quebec 4.0 or Signature 3.5. They just arrived yesterday. The Quebec sounds ok and the Signature sounds wonderful (better than a Forestone).
Alan Messer
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