 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: LouT
Date: 2011-11-20 03:50
Any recommendations for a mouthpiece? I was looking at Walter Grabner K13 mouthpiece. My current setup is Buffet R13, Buffet barrel 64mm, Vandoren M15 mouthpiece, and Vandoren 56 reeds 3.5.
Looking for a richer sound.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2011-11-20 03:56
In ascending order I'd vote for the Genusa Excellent and then the wooden versions of the Greg Smith's (Cheddeville copies may be closer to the M15 but I prefer the Chicago Kaspar copies).
.....................Paul Aviles
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Author: clarinetguy ★2017
Date: 2011-11-20 05:18
My setup was fairly similar to yours, although I used Rico Reserves. I thought I got a rich sound with the M-15, although perhaps it could have been a bit richer.
I switched to the Gennusa Excellente GE* for a couple reasons. My M-15 just wasn't doing it for me anymore. I don't know if the mouthpiece wore out or something about me changed, but I knew it was time for something different.
The Excellente GE* is similar in some ways to the M-15. Both mouthpieces are easy-to-blow and reed-friendly. The tip openings are similar, although I think the Excellente's is a bit more open. The M-15 has a longer facing, and I'm finding there is less embouchure fatigue with the slightly shorter facing on the Gennusa.
I like the sound and the ease-of-blowing from my new mouthpiece, although I don't think the sound is any darker or richer. Perhaps the results would be slightly different with one of Ben Redwine's other products.
Before you switch mouthpieces, I would look at a few other factors. Perhaps another ligature and/or barrel would help. Perhaps it would be worth trying other reeds, such as V-12s or Rico Reserves.
Having said all this, I've never tried mouthpieces from Greg Smith or Walter Grabner, but they might be worth checking out.
One last thing to consider. I like my old R-13, I've played other R-13s, and I've heard hundreds of players play on them. Although they have their flaws, they're decent instruments with a pleasant sound. Many people, though, seem to be on a quest to find the perfect "rich and/or dark" sound on this instrument. It might be possible on a R-13 with a replacement barrel and bell and extensive tweaking from a skilled professional, although I wonder how possible it is on an average one. I know there are many professionals playing R-13s, but I think the trend now in the professional ranks (among those who use Buffets) is toward their more expensive models. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.
Post Edited (2011-11-20 05:22)
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