Author: Bob Barnhart ★2017
Date: 2019-08-04 03:55
I don't know about other CSG players, but, though it is a hybrid "German-esque" design, I would categorize it as having a very clean/clear sound that is more "neutral" than either "dark" or "bright".
Currently, I play Backun MoBa Arabesque mouthpieces. I've played mostly Zinners over the last 20 years or so and prefer the flexibility of more open facings. In particular, I've found that this facing with Pilgerstorfer Dolce #4 reeds is very reed friendly. With this combination, I can find/adjust reeds to be anywhere from "brilliant" to "warm/dark" and they have nice resonance.
Unfortunately, Backun no longer makes them. I tried the Backun-Hawkins Vocalise Model H mouthpiece and it was very nice. It had a darker sound and a somewhat different feel than the Arabesques using the Dolce 4s. If I had to I felt I could with to them and be satisfied.
I also use Backun "Fatboy" barrels (56.5 and 55.5 mm) with both A/Bb clarinets. I feel these focus the sound a bit and make it somewhat smoother than the stock barrels.
In the past I have tried other mouthpieces such as the M30, B40 and Kessler-Backun Type III, BD5 and Fobes Europa 4. They all worked OK, but the Arabesques seem to make it easier to produce the results I'm after.
As you probably have discovered, most CSGs seem to be somewhat flat in the throat (E and F particularly) and without the low E/F correction key, these notes can be flat as well. Personally, I don't find this to be a horrible problem (I do use special fingerings to compensate), but I would recommend considering mouthpieces that tune to 442 rather than 440 or using a shorter barrel (54-55) so that you might have some flexibility in dealing with this characteristic. This could be important with mouthpieces like the M30 and the BD5 whose 13-series versions tune rather flat.
Bob Barnhart
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The Clarinet BBoard
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