 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Jeff H.
Date: 2000-12-29 00:02
I'm planning on getting a new R-13 soon and I'm in the process of choosing a good mouthpiece/ligature to go with it. I've decided on Vandoren products only. For the lig, I'll probablly go with the Vandoren Optimum. As for mouthpieces, I can't quite decide. Vandoren's website provides descriptions of the characteristics of each of their models, but these aren't helping me pick the most suitable one. All I want is a high quality, versatile model for playing in college ensembles (and for semi-pro ensembles after graduation). Can anyone elaborate on the characteristics/pros and cons of any Vandoren mouthpieces? Thanks
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Pam
Date: 2000-12-29 00:12
Why don't you do a search? There has been much discussion on mouthpieces in here. The concensus seems to be to try a few if possible and then go with the one you like the best.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Anji
Date: 2000-12-29 01:00
I like my Vandy M13, profile 88. It's physically comfortable, and not too resistant.
I can play a #3.5-#4.25 with small modifications. It seems to yield a middle of the road sound that my teacher likes.
Two cautions;
The quality control on these is suspect, so play test a few. I would recommend you buy two at the onset so that you have a backup.
Don't pay more than $60!
The VR5 "Lyre" has a slightly shorter face and nearly the same tip opening.
I just preferred the M13.
If you're looking to settle on a long-term mpc at college, it might be best to poll the teachers at the schools.
Changing your horn and mouthpiece may create some compounded problems, a whole new rig will require new accomodations.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Allen Cole
Date: 2000-12-29 01:30
I strongly agree with the caveat on changing mouthpieces and instruments at the same time. It's hard to test top quality instruments on a marginal setup, and to have both the mouthpiece and the horn new at the same time seems like it would be confusing.
It might be better to search for and settle into a good mouthpiece first. Then you'll be used to a consistent setup when you start test driving those new R13's!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Julia
Date: 2000-12-29 02:00
I, currently, use a B46...though more common are th B45 and the V R5. I will , however, be getting a higher quality mouthpiece at some point soon, though I'm not sure when. MAy I ask why you're exclluding yourself to Vandoren products? As far as stock mouthpieces go though, vandoren ones are good. If you do plan on going to college for this though, depending how far in the future this is, you may want to ask your instructor there because you will probably end up having to buy a mouthpiece that is not a standard stock mouthpiece-like the vandorens.
julia
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Jeff H.
Date: 2000-12-29 02:56
Julia,
I am only focusing on picking from Vandoren because, from what professors and fellow students (I'm in the third year of college) have told me, their products are great (high quality). The whole selection process of choosing a new setup (instrument, mouthpiece, lig, etc.) is much much more complicated and time consuming than I originally thought it to be, so by limiting myself to Vandoren, that's one less "aspect" to research and stress over choosing from. I guess I'm just adopting the mentality that I can't go wrond with Vandoren (as a whole). Currently I have an old (cheap) plastic Bundy setup with the "factory included" mouthpiece/lig. In the process of talking with my local dealer, he strongly reccomended that I first get a high quality mouthpiece/lig to use when I'm evaluating different R-13's. Makes sense to me because the overall tone and quality of the sound is most affected by the mouthpiece/lig setup I have. Lately I've become completely overwhelmed by the seemingly infinite instrument/mouthpiece combinations I could choose so to make things easier (less stressful), I narrowed it down to R:13 and Vandoren mouthpieces/lig. Why? Because all of the people I've talked to say I can't go wrong with that matchup. Once again, many thanks for any opinions/advice offered.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Kim L.
Date: 2000-12-29 03:15
I wouldn't change mouthpieces and ligatures when you buy your instrument. Firstly, the clarinet is going to be stuffy and you won't know what really sounds "good". It takes at least 8-12 months for a new wooden instrument to break in. When you feel comfortable with your new clarinet, I'd buy a mouthpiece and ligature.
I like the 5RV Lyre because it really opens up the sound. I use a Bonade regular ligature with it and am really happy.
Before saying "I want to use just Vandoren products", maybe you should try other products such as the BG, the Bonade, and the Vandoren to see with emits the best sound with your Vandoren mouthpiece. A wrong ligature can cause good mouthpieces to sound spitty and airy, just plain gross.
If you have a private teacher, I would consult with him or her first because buying new equipment is a major decision.
Best of luck in your decision
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Keil
Date: 2000-12-29 03:26
IMHO Vandoren M14's are a step above the M13's when a dark warm tone is what you want. Don't get me wrong the M13's are good but the M14's are better and more consitent. As far as ligs go i wouldn't settle for a Vandoren Optimum just yet. If a metal lig is what you're looking for try Bonades. Vandoren Opts. look better and the name sounds better than they are from what i've been told and from what i myself have experienced. Me personally I detest metal ligs but if i were to get one it would be the Bonda inverted or standard. I play on a BG revelation and love it. Lately i've been experimenting with a fabric lig. that i myself came up with. I'm liking it. Newayzzz... try stuff don't settle for the name try try try and darn it.. try some more!! SMILE, it's contagious :-)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Anji
Date: 2000-12-29 14:39
Last bit from me on this string;
Every player has a differing oral cavity. There is no way to know from the charts and anecdotal evidence which rig will be a player and which a doorstop.
If you have been playing a given rig for awhile, choosing some similar set ups will give the most clear notion as to what a small change will do.
If you choose something dramatically different, adjustments just to produce a sound will throw off your training.
When a responsible vendor realizes your interest in a lifetime purchase (the clarinet in the case) allowing an extended mouthpiece audition is a loss-leader that pays big returns for both the buyer and seller.
I think choosing a major player for evaluation makes lots of sense. At the very least, the next mpc can become a standard by which to evaluate any future purchase.
anji
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Fred
Date: 2000-12-29 15:27
In trying to simplify your selection of mp's, you have selected one of the most complex product lines from which to make a selection. The only way to evaluate the Vandoren line for you is to go somewhere that they have a bunch of them and try them out. Go to Vandoren's web site and look at the range of mp's they offer. As you change tip openings, you will also have to change reed strengths - so you need to have at least a 3, 3.5, and 4 with you at the time of trial. This may not even be enough (3 on the 5JB is pretty stiff). I think the Vandoren site gives recommendations on reeds for their models - hope so. (Reed strength is EXTREMELY critical - don't blow it off as nice but unnecessary.)
The only other way of choosing from the line is by popular demand. The 5RV has for years been a "standard" mp for many players. More recently, the B45 has been popular - it might be better for band and maybe not quite as good for orchestra (darts, arrows and stones may come at me for that observation). something else might be in favor in your area depending on the influences of the teachers there. But even with these Vandorens and the ones others have mentioned, you will find tremendous variation between mp's of the same model. If I were to buy another 5RV, I would pick it from no fewer than 3 and hopefully 5-6 5RV's.
For what it's worth, I would buy the mp first, play it a while, and then buy the horn. An R-13 shouldn't be evaluated on a factory mp (especially not Buffet's mp).
I wish you great success.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Gene Wie
Date: 2000-12-31 11:17
Give the Marcellus M08 a try. It's manufactured by the Woodwind Company (a division of the G. Leblanc Corporation).
I switched to it after using a Vandoren 2RV exclusively for a number of years (and trying out a lot of other models in between), and I haven't looked back. More recently I've gone back to see what new models have come out in the various product lines but I haven't found anything that gives me close to the sound I like. The M08 is just fantastic.
*However*, in order to find a decent M08 I had to play through near an entire store inventory to find one. I guess the quality control and manufacturing for these "mass produced" mouthpieces these days is getting worse, as I've never seen so many physical variations in the supposed same model of mouthpiece.
But in any case, there's a good fast rule: If it sounds good now, give it a shot. If it still sounds good with you months later, maybe its worth keeping. If it still sounds good with you years later...well, there you go!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
