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 Thoughts on the Black Diamond mouthpiece
Author: Richie 
Date:   2016-08-12 03:11

So I have been playing on the M13 lyre for the longest time now, and I want to upgrade to the BD5. What are everyone's thoughts on this mouthpiece? And also how consistent are they in production?

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 Re: Thoughts on the Black Diamond mouthpiece
Author: D Dow 
Date:   2016-08-12 03:41

I don't have much time but really think Vanodren's latest offering while every even instead lacks tone color.

After a certain point it resisted in a way i thought annoying. With a micrometer I did a facing measurement and thought there was someting odd about the sudden curve or drop off on the rails to the tip area.

This design is may be a reason I lost patience with it's quirks. Otherwise ..it is sound wise something like the M30 but the manner is quite different in playing...not sure but I think this a wrong way to go design wise becuase it takes away some flesibility on the clarinet in areas that would otherwise be easy to play in (ie. throat register tuning and downward intervals in the altissimo>

I tried about 10 and bought two..after about a year or so and some gigs on them I really hated the way my reeds worked on them..so I went back to using a Grabner 14 and a Hawkins Rh(and a Borbeck 11 for chamber work>)

...I am alot happier and less frustated for sure. Tuning was a bit low for me on throat notes with the BD5 13 series....so there ya have it...

Therefor I still play pretty much a traditional american style facing...I like Grabner, Hawkins..the M13 Vandoren ...Hite are gone and Blayman. Good Luck

David Dow

Post Edited (2016-08-12 03:46)

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 Re: Thoughts on the Black Diamond mouthpiece
Author: Morrigan 
Date:   2016-08-12 11:23

For me, very much the same as David Dow. The 13 series was MUCH too low in pitch, especially on the A clarinet. The mouthpiece itself blows too easily, now this is just a preference as I'm sure many will like that aspect. The sound was too 'simple', my B40 (13) had more tonal possibilities and better intonation.

I only tried one for a week before sending it back.



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 Re: Thoughts on the Black Diamond mouthpiece
Author: Jeroen 
Date:   2016-08-12 11:43

Vandoren is quite consistent but you should try a few because the BD5 is a 'resistance critical' mouthpiece. A small difference in resistance can make the difference between playable and 'unplayable' (for me at least).

Sound quality is appealling at first time but soon started to bore me, not a very interesting sound to listen to.

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 Re: Thoughts on the Black Diamond mouthpiece
Author: Mojo 
Date:   2016-08-12 17:27

How do you measure a facing with a micrometer?

MojoMP.com
Mojo Mouthpiece Work LLC
MojoMouthpieceWork@yahoo.com

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 Re: Thoughts on the Black Diamond mouthpiece
Author: Richie 
Date:   2016-08-17 04:11

Well I loved the articulation on the Black Diamond, and the tone is pretty good in my opinion. I do, for certain pieces miss the warm glow from the m13 lyre, so I decided to just carry both in my case and switch when I need to.

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 Re: Thoughts on the Black Diamond mouthpiece
Author: Bob Bernardo 
Date:   2016-08-17 19:52

At the ClarinetFest I offered FREE mouthpiece measurements and checkups. It was a great success. Lot's of Vandoren's came by including 4 new Diamonds. All of them measured a shade long in length and the bores were large. The facings were all about the same, but they all were just a tiny bit off. Nothing too serious.

If you are a Buffet player with newer horns I would think that you would need a 65mm barrel and maybe a 64mm barrel for the A clarinets. The baffle/chamber was more like a French style sound. Not very deep compared to the Zinner blanks which I think are too deep and dead sounding.

It's worth testing one out. They project better compared to most Zinners.


Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces


Yamaha Artist 2015




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 Re: Thoughts on the Black Diamond mouthpiece
Author: D Dow 
Date:   2016-08-17 22:03

Here is how you do it with a digital micometer
http://www.tresnainstrument.com/how_to_use_and_read_digital_micrometers.htmlmy

My father who was a gifted machinist modified this design to measure small increments on moutpieces and equipment for installation on navy frigates.

David Dow

Post Edited (2016-08-17 22:12)

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