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Mouthpiece specs

Author: 4accord
Date: 2015-06-17 18:45

Am spending a lot of time studying the differences between my several mouthpieces. I know this is a topic that has been talked half to death, but there are a couple of new twists and a specific question.

I have been able to find details on Portnoy tip openings but not facing lengths. Anyone have that info? A few years ago, Steve B. posted this for openings:

BP1 - 1.09
BP02 - 1.14 (B. Portnoy's personal facing)
BP3 - 1.22

I find that my mpcs are all pretty good: Leblanc 4L, Selmer HS*, Vandoren B45, Portnoy 02, and Boosey generic. They play roughly the same, though they differ in best reed strength. BUT here's a test that begins to set them apart for me: I play high and lowest notes in quick succession. Some squawk often and badly and some very little, and it seems that this could be an "acid test" - assuming you have the embouchure to not be the biggest variable. I suspect a person can learn to adjust and play any of these mouthpieces well, but so far, I find my Portnoy 2 to be the best of the bunch. I also find I can use soft reeds without any loss of control, which gives me a more open tone, great bend-ability, and far less fatigue. I wish I had more specs on the Portnoy mpcs so as to see what the real differences are from one to another (and I have no specs at all for my Boosey or Leblanc). Thanks for any comments or suggestions.

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Author

Date

Mouthpiece specs new

4accord

2015-06-17 18:45

Re: Mouthpiece specs new

Michael E. Shultz

2015-06-19 19:28

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