 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: larkim
Date: 2012-11-23 12:46
I've owned and played a B&H Emperor (s/n 167xxx, c. 1958-59) since age 8 back in the 1970s (handed down by a family friend), and as you'd expect of a child didn't treat it with the TLC that it probably deserved.
It's now in the hands of my 12 year old, who has progressed nicely up to G4 on it, and it still (to my ear) produces a lovely tone.
However, he is currently using it with a plastic mouthpiece from a 1970s B&H Regent, since I broke the original mouthpiece about 20 years ago (I used a B&H 593 as a replacement, but that's now very worn and tooth-marked!), and he has since managed to break a Yamaha 4C.
What would be a reasonable recommendation for a replacement mouthpiece for this instrument, with a prospect of him progressing into some of the higher ABRSM grades over the next few years? I must admit I'm not particularly au fait with many of the technical descriptions of how to understand a mouthpiece, but just want to consider getting something which will allow him to progress with satisfaction. It might be that the Regent mouthpiece itself is sufficiently adequate, but I thought it would be worth posing the question!
Thanks
Matt
UK
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2012-11-23 14:26
Any of the Vandorens will be fine and a Vandoren 5RV Lyre will be a good place to start, but avoid the "13" Series as they tens to play flat (unless he plays on the sharp side). They may sound good, but as they're constantly flat, that will prove to be a struggle.
When choosing mouthpieces, bring a tuner to be sure everything is at pitch or maybe a bit on the sharp side as it's much easier to flatten things than it is to sharpen things on clarinets.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: larkim
Date: 2012-11-23 14:38
Thanks for that, I'll look into it - thought Vandoren only made reeds!!
btw, I've been browsing this forum / board and see a lot of reference made to b&h 926 mouthpieces. I know that the 593 on my old one seemed to represent 0.593in, but what did the 926 "mean"? Might it be worth (in the long run) tracking down a 926 mouthpiece if the instrument is to have any lasting value?
Cheers!
Matt
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2012-11-23 15:36
926 is the model name of their pro model clarinet, the Imperial 926 which was popular with military bands until they stopped making them and the Buffet R13 replaced it. It's the model above the Emperor and below the Symphony 1010 (which has a large bore). The 926 bore is the narrower bore which is the same as the Regent, Edgware and Emperor.
In today's market, the Emperor and other B&H clarinets don't hold much value regardless whether they're good players or not (it's just the way things are), but do insure your Emperor against the cost of a new Buffet E13 or Yamaha 650.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2012-11-23 15:37
I use a 926 mouthpiece on my 926 Imperial and a Vandoren B45 or 2RV on my Emperor. They all work well, and they also work well interchangeably between the 2 instruments.
Tony F.
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