 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: babrinka77
Date: 2015-02-09 16:52
Hello;
I have seen that Legere ofers a pack with a mouthpiece made by Nick Kuckmeier and some accesories. The mouthpiece is specially designed to play with Legere reeds.
Has anyone tried this mouthpiece? There's not any information about it (opening/tip...).
I currently play a Playeasy B2 by Kuckmeier with Legere signature 3 1/4 and i'm very satisfied, so i wonder if this one plays still better than the B2.
Thanks.
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Author: babrinka77
Date: 2015-02-10 00:59
Really? I e-mailed PlayNick for some information and they told me that it´s not the B2 (is the first question i asked them), and that it can be only purchased from Legere with the whole pack.
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Author: WhitePlainsDave
Date: 2015-02-10 21:41
Maybe I need to change with the times more than I have.
I say this because the idea that buying a mouthpiece around a reed was one never expressly considered in my training. Surely I was encouraged to find reed brands that worked with a mouthpiece that was recommended for me, and otherwise gave me success. And as a Vanoren mouthpiece and cane user for many years, maybe I have in fact sought out mouthpieces, if not at a conscience level, to match my cane, not just the other way around.
But in fairness, that was in the days where cane was the only option and synthetics had next to zero market penetration. Maybe, given the quality control that can be applied to a synthetic, we can expect far greater consistency and uniformity between 2 or more of the same brand reed/strength of a manufacturer, even over the course of production years.
And maybe with that consistency it becomes more reasonably to look at the pairing between mouthpiece and reed with a more bidirectional stance (e.g. does the reed fit the mouthpiece as well as does the mouthpiece fit the reed?)
There's no shortage of posts on the bboard suggesting that consistency between a synthetic manufacturer's brand/strength, or length of play, is neither uniform, nor enough exceeding cane so as to justify a synthetic's higher per reed cost. Conversely, many pros have switched to them, and not just because they're ready to play sans water, or work similarly in different temperature/humidity situtations.
Of course I'd like a mouthpiece that plays both cane and synthetics well, and by no means am I suggesting that whatever variation of Mr. Kuckmeier's designs is bundled by Legere fails to meet such a standard. Truth is I simply don't know.
But that said, are there basic mouthpiece characteristics, be it facing length, rail widths, tip opening, etc. that Legere (or for that matter Forestone) users tend to gravitate to?
I'd be interested in confirming which of Mr. Kuckmeier's designs is in fact part of this bundle, and what its basic attributes are.
Yes...if I may anticipate the naysayers, it's true: the player makes the sound, not the mouthpiece, and these attributes I seek are just one facet of a mouthpiece that don't truly capture its essence short of playing it. Still more, these attributes can run contrary to one another (e.g. attributes of the rails and tip opening), but it's nonetheless interesting to note if pattern exists in what mouthpieces (either maker or mouthpiece attributes) the synthetic reed playing clarinet community tends to gravitate to, if any. For example, mouthpiece maker Richard Hawkins and Legere are no strangers to one another either.
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2015-02-11 01:40
There are 3 different types. I tried all 3 of them (Wenzel from Berlin Phil. had them, so I gave em a honk).
Very good Mouthpieces! However, they are not the only Mouthpiece that would play well with a Legere Reed. Having a close facing is important for them to work well.
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
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Author: WhitePlainsDave
Date: 2015-02-11 01:46
Mr. Blumberg:
May I ask you to be more specific, as I am confused?
There are 3 different types of "mouthpieces?" Are they all from the same manufacturer? Or have I completely misread you?
And since close facing is somewhat of a reported requirement but also a relative term, are we talking M15, or M13 or even closer facing, or yet something even larger than an M15, but still on the small tip opening size?
Thanks
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Author: seabreeze
Date: 2015-02-11 07:04
David,
Do you know if Wenzel plays a Kuckmeier mouthpiece that has a titanium sound ring added to the tenon? Kuckmeier advertises these on his website and says that they greatly increase the resonance and carrying power of the mouthpieces. He charges a cool $340.00 to fit one of these rings to one of his mouthpieces. (He won't put them on other brands, so far as I know).
If anyone is interested in these, google to Titanium sound rings Nick Kuckmeier, and the first hit should take you there.
Innoledy in New York (close to Lincoln Center) now stocks Kuckmeier cl. mouthpieces in Play Easy B2 and Soloist M models.
http://www.innoledy.com.
My experience with Kuckmeiers is that they are just about the darkest and most covered sounding mouthpiece you can buy. At first I didn't like them, but after having my favorite techs work on both a Play Easy B2 and a Soloist M, I found both very stable (really hard to squeak or overblow to a high register by accident), nicely round and solid in staccato, and very flexible especially in making downward slurs across registers. They can make some Boehms (for example the Yamaha CSG III) come very close to the sound of an Oehler clarinet with a Viennese bore. They are a bit resistant but not overly fussy in reed matching.
I haven't tried composite reeds, but both the B2 and the Soloist M play well with traditional Vandoren cane reeds and the new Vandoren V21s. The Soloist M seems to have a little more width and edge to the sound than the pitch black timbre of the Play Easy B2, but both play very dark and Viennese in tone.
Post Edited (2015-02-11 09:32)
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2015-02-11 12:38
Blake Arrington distributes (for the USA) the barrel that Wenzel plays - that has the metal tenon ring which adjusts the pitch like a click barrel.
Don't recall which MP Wenzel plays. I was surprised at the finger spread of the German system - much more than my A even!
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
Post Edited (2015-02-11 12:39)
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Author: babrinka77
Date: 2015-02-11 13:55
Hi Seabreeze,
Which reed strenght do you play on the Solist M model?
Do you know anyone using it with Legere signature reeds?
I play the B2 but didn't have the chance to try the Solist M when i bought mine, it seems to be that the B2 is the most popular model, but the Solist has a lot of users too.
Thanks.
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2015-02-11 14:30
There is a nick/legere cut reed that is from Austria which works quite well with that MP.
I'm still strongly a cane guy for sound flexibility.
Backun-cane for me, though for my Opera C Clarinet, there are times when the synth is useful (for quick clarinet changes)
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
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Author: babrinka77
Date: 2015-02-11 15:35
Hi David,
I have some Nick/legere reeds with (two dots strenght) for my B2, they are basically Legere Classic cut, and they work weel, but i prefer the Legere Signature 3 1/4.
So you know people using the solosit model with synthetic reeds? and do you know which strenght they use?
Thanks.
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Author: seabreeze
Date: 2015-02-11 16:55
Babrinka,
I play Vandoren 3 or 3.5 on both the Play Easy and the Soloist M. Both models have too much resistance for me if I use anything stronger. The sound is so covered that you've got to have something really vibrating to get enough overtones. A heavier reed gives too much fundamental. I'm curious to know if that expensive titanium tenon ring strengthens the upper partials a bit but I'm not ready yet to pay that much to find out. Still, for something like Brahms, the sound is just right. It also blends with the French horns beautifully--no annoying buzz to disturb the mellowness. '
By the way, the Kuckmeiers are still not my favorite mouthpieces of those I own and play. My favorite is a Brad Behn Vintage D modeled after an old Alexandre Robert mouthpiece; it has a close 0.97 tip opening, and I can get more different timbres out of it than I can from the Kuckmeiers, but nothing so dark and covered. I also play cane Vandoren 3 reeds on the Behn.
Post Edited (2015-02-12 09:31)
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Author: Jarmo Hyvakko
Date: 2015-12-11 16:34
I have now played for 10 months with PlayEasy mouthpiece. In my experience, cane reed mouthpiece and plastic reed mouthpieces are two different things. Period. Even in Kückmeier's products Solist M plays better with cane and PlayEasy with plastic. Actually i find the PlayEasy practically unplayable with cane! The reed worth trying is Kückmeier's german signature for french clarinet. I've understood that they sell it only direct from their shop. Strengh M is quite close to legere signature's #4.
I don't know in the US, but in Europe they offer to send you a trial package having one of each mouthpiece model, and after you have chosen your model they send four more of that.
My choice is B1. It's the closest and shortest of the three, in Vandoren terms something like 5RV, but has a very soft and dense sound. The B2 feels to me like a B45 and the B3 is a very open and bright.
Their reed has a shorter vamp than legere but the window of their mouthpiece is also shorter than in most mouthpieces. The sound is slightly brighter than legere and more flexible, but still straight from "Musikverein", even with a french clarinet! The reed is made by legere.
Jarmo Hyvakko
Jarmo Hyvakko, Principal Clarinet, Tampere Philharmonic, Finland
Post Edited (2015-12-11 16:37)
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Author: seabreeze
Date: 2015-12-11 17:54
Jarmo,
Have you tried Kuckmeier's new titanium ligature with any of his mouthpieces?
Or the added titanium resonance ring on the mouthiece tenon? What about his new Sabine Meyer model? If you do, I'd be interested in your impressions. The Meyer comes in two different facings that Kuckmeier says produce distinctly different tone qualities, one dark and the other bright,
I believe that in the US the B2 Play Easy outsells the other Kuckmeier models by far. That may have something to do with Kuckmeier's own assurance (repeated a few times on his Playnick website) that that model works "just as well" with either plastic or cane reeds.
What you say about the need to use matching composite plastic reeds on the Play Easy models, especially the B1, is interesting because most of the players I know who tried that model and rejected it were trying to get it to play with cane reeds.
Post Edited (2015-12-11 19:14)
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Author: Jarmo Hyvakko
Date: 2015-12-11 19:16
I tried the ligature, but it attached to the surface of the mouthpiece so firmly, that it was practically impossible to adjust the position of the ligature on the mp. So back to BG super revelation i went! It's vital with synthethic reeds it to be easy to adjust the position of both the Reed and ligature, because it effects the playing quality much more than with cane reeds. But a good metal ligature would be nice to find, because the old fashioned metal cap is so much more stylish than these plastic things!
Jarmo Hyvakko, Principal Clarinet, Tampere Philharmonic, Finland
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Author: Jarmo Hyvakko
Date: 2015-12-11 19:16
I tried the ligature, but it attached to the surface of the mouthpiece so firmly, that it was practically impossible to adjust the position of the ligature on the mp. So back to BG super revelation i went! It's vital with synthethic reeds it to be easy to adjust the position of both the Reed and ligature, because it effects the playing quality much more than with cane reeds. But a good metal ligature would be nice to find, because the old fashioned metal cap is so much more stylish than these plastic things!
Jarmo Hyvakko, Principal Clarinet, Tampere Philharmonic, Finland
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Author: seabreeze
Date: 2015-12-11 19:37
David,
If Fuchs doesn't use the Kuckmeier, what mouthpiece was he actually playing when you saw him? Zinner, Viotto, Wurlitzer, EMS, AW?
His colleague in the Berlin Philharmonic, Andraes Ottensamer, has definitely performed on a German or Viennese style Play Easy Kuckmeier, judging from some fairly recent videos. If you view Ottensamer playing the Brahms Sonata #1 on a big screen TV, you can clearly see in some of the camera close ups the bright red Playeasy logo on the mouthpiece.
For example, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyF6mvt-61g.
Post Edited (2015-12-11 19:40)
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Author: seabreeze
Date: 2015-12-11 19:56
Jarmon,
Thanks for the observation on the tendency of the Kuckmeier titanium ligature to lock the reed into one position and restrict further adjustment in playing position.
Two metal ligatures that play a bit on the darker side and allow some adjustment in the position of the reed below them are the Ishimori solid silver and the Ishimori pink gold-plated silver model, These are pricey but add density and substance to the sound. Like Bonades they have vertical parallel ribs that directly contact the reed stock.
Post Edited (2015-12-11 22:24)
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Author: efsf081
Date: 2015-12-13 18:06
>>babrinka77
Is Legere signature 3 1/4 strong enough to a B2? I used signature 3 3/4 with B2 with a period of time, it plays great but the sound is just ok. So I use cane reed again and it is much better.
I have tried all Playeasy and Soloist M. I think B3 and Soloist M is too free blowing with Legere reed. With cane reed they all sound great.
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Author: babrinka77
Date: 2015-12-14 17:56
well, it is very surpirsing for me to hear that Wenzel fuchs doesen't use a Kuckmeier mouthpiece, not only he is an endorser, but also have a model with his own name, an austrian style mouthpiece, the Playnick W. Fuchs...
http://www.playnick.com/index.php?cmd=s&id=138
Anyway, one never knows..i have seen some artists endorsings more than one brand of mouthpieces or reeds at the same time...
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Author: gclari
Date: 2015-12-19 11:06
I have tried this mouthpiece. Used Legere reeds with no. 3 and 3.5. Disappointing. Cannot produce the upper altissimo. Tried the 3.5 on my MoBa and I could get super B and C. However, with a truly fine mouthpiece, I can coax out even higher notes, not that you really need them. My guess is that the reeds themselves may be incapable of pitches in this range and there is a defect in the mouthpiece/reed setup.
In summary, I do not recommend the Inspiration. Worse still, I am having trouble returning it. Apparently Legere considers a "tested" mouthpiece a "used" mouthpiece unacceptable for return. Buyer beware! Not worth the advertised price $219 USD.
Post Edited (2015-12-22 01:13)
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Author: gclari
Date: 2015-12-22 01:19
Got some feedback from Shopatron who processes the purchases for Legere. Apparently they are working on a mouthpiece policy. This makes sense because Legere has never sold mouthpieces before. Shopatron is supposed to get back to me tomorrow.
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Author: KSL
Date: 2017-03-28 21:35
I have been using the Kuckmeier Solist M mouthpiece for over a year now. It is my favorite mouthpiece. Up until recently I have been using the Rovner Versa-X ligature which works well, however the dynamic range is somewhat restricted. I am now using the Kuckmeier Titanium ligature which is, for me, phenomenal. It has improved dynamic range and introduces harmonics which create a nice richness of tone. The ligature takes some getting used to. It needs precise placement. It holds the reed very securely, so one can switch B flat to A easily. I would recommend it highly. I play the Vandoren Rue Lepic 3.5 reed. My clarinets are R-15's vintage 1971.
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Author: RLarm
Date: 2017-03-31 03:59
I bought the promotional pack and for me it was a total dud. Maybe it was just a crappy mouthpiece that they sent to me because I have played Kuckmeiers before. I contacted Legere and asked for a refund. To my surprise they offered me an option: a credit refund or the equivalent amount of Legere European Signature reeds (7). I took the reeds and all play. As for Wenzel, my understanding is that he he is using the Paulus und Schuler barrel which is more affectionately known as the ZOOM barrel. I saw a picture with Annelien van Wauwe using it so I contacted their company(?)/distributor(?) in Germany, THOMANN. They were concerned that it would fit my clarinets because the Boehm version was apparently designed to fit on a Buffet RC. I reassured them that it would certainly fit. They were very prompt. When I received it I fully understand what the ring was for - to lengthen or shorten the barrel. I tried it on a Yamaha YCLSVR, a RIPA and a Buffet Tosca. There was a noticeable but very consistent difference on each clarinet - they all sounded better with the Zoom. It added more resistance and really focused the tone on each instrument. The RIPAS and Yamahas had an extra layer of depth of tone compared to their regular barrels. They turned my Toscas, which I thought were a pair of duds into very playable clarinets. But they are not cheap! I paid 225 Euros. I do not know what the US distributor is charging. For those of you who are always searching for something better you should try it out but keep in mind, it is not the Holy Grail. And I met a US clarinetist who plays in an orchestra with a player who has the Zoom. It drives him crazy because his colleague constantly fiddles around with its length! (Sorry that I didn't address the ligature issue but a lot of people were talking about the Legere kit and the barrel. My apologies if I offended anyone.)
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Author: ClarinetRobt
Date: 2017-03-31 20:58
FYI...Brad Behn has a Legere Euro Signature series friendly mouthpiece in his line up.
https://www.clarinetmouthpiece.com/product-page/zinner-bb-clarinet-mouthpiece-l%C3%A9g%C3%A8re-ified-l%C3%A9g%C3%A8re-reed
I had a student with a cane allergy. This mouthpiece transformed her sound. I was quite taken back how great she sounds now.
~Robt L Schwebel
Mthpc: Behn Vintage
Lig: Ishimori, Behn Delrin
Reed: Legere French Cut 3.75/4, Behn Brio 4
Horns: Uebel Superior (Bb,A), Ridenour Lyrique, Buffet R13 (Eb)
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