 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Gavin
Date: 2001-07-11 04:00
With great trepidation, and at the risk of being identified as a complete ignoramus, I ask this question. I play on a vandoren B45 88 profile mpc that I got some 10 years ago and have been playing on ever since. It has had considerable mileage and probably is a different mpc to the one I bought 10 years ago. I have been basically very happy with it, but feel the urge to find something better. I am simply bamboozled by all this mpc talk. So that I can start trying mpcs that are at least somewhat similar to mine, can someone please: a) describe how you would describe the dimensions of the B45 88 (in terms of open, narrow etc) and/or b) suggest what sort of mpcs I could try that would not be far removed from my B45. Ie, if I'm ordering some mpcs from a maker, what style/s do I say I would like to try? I note for example that Greg Smith sells mpcs with different facings -1 to +1 - what would I ask to try? Perhaps this is impossible to answer - I know that many mpcs play differently and the internal dimensions change over time. FYI, most of my playing is in a reasonable community orchestra that plays fantastic repetoire. Many thanks to anyone who can help, GAVIN
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Author: mw
Date: 2001-07-11 05:02
Gavin, you give the majority far too much credit.
I have recently tried all of Greg's mouthpieces. That was Greg's suggestion, and I ma glad I followed his advice. I probably would have ordered one of Greg's Old Kaspar mouthpieces, since I have wanted to buy a real Kaspar for some time. It turns out, thus far, thatg the most comfortable, best control & best sounding mouthpiece for me was the 1. I am very pleased, but I am sure am glad I tried them all!
There are several Mouthpiece Charts that I will post Links to below.
http://vandoren.com/Product/vanMID.htm
http://www.weinermusic.com/angelica/page46.html
hth,
nw
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Author: graham
Date: 2001-07-11 07:50
The B45 is a fairly wide lay mouthpiece. It is 1.195 mm. It is also medium long. It produces a fairly large sound which works well for orchestral playing. If you ask to try medium to long lay mouthpieces with an opening of about 1.2 mm you should not go far wrong. There are other dimensions in a mouthpiece which have an effect, but the lay is the one which has the most impact on the feel of the mouthpiece. You could try a new B45, or B45-13 or B45 spot. If they seem no better than your current one, then it is not as worn out as you think (though after 10 years it probably is worn). On the other hand, here is an opportunity to experiment more widely, for example with closer lay mouthpieces which take harder reeds etc.
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Author: Sylvain
Date: 2001-07-11 14:57
Hi Gavin,
Vandoren B45 mpcs vary so much in dimension from one to the other that I would recommend having YOURS measured by a tech, and then look for something similar to what you have.
If you want to stay in the vandoren world and like open mouthpieces, the B40-13 has a very sweet sound. If you want to really upgrade and have the $$, you should go see a refacer, mpc maker and spend sometime with him to get one custom made.
I personnaly like to stay in the main stream such that if my mpc break, first of all it is replacable "easily" and it won't cost me too much money. But I do have to work a little harder to get the sound I want. I currently use a vandoren M15-13 after having played a B45 for a long time. On paper, it is much closer than the B45 but feels surprisingly open and sounds very focused and rich in harmonics.
Best ofluck,
-Sylvain
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2001-07-11 18:44
If you want to get a handmade, Greg Smith will advise you on what he has that would play as close to your needs as possible. He's really good at asking you questions and sending out what he thinks will help you. That's the $175.00 to $200.00 route.
If you want a new Vandoren B45, pleanty of them on eBay at reasonable prices--under $50.00 plus shipping.
I've sold over 300 mouthpieces this last year, some Vandorens, some other brands, and play-tested multiple dozens of B45s. Some of these were brand new/new stock, and others were new/old stock from the back of my friend's music store that he had had since the 60s. The new B45s play just like the old B45s, only the older ones sometimes sound better due to the aging of the hard rubber.
All in all, if you want the same thing, just get another B45 and you'll be set.
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