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 reeds for Vandoren BD7 Bb clarinet mouthpiece
Author: Jimis4klar 
Date:   2021-07-15 11:18

I've tried BD7 with V12 number 3 and feels a little heavy. Number 3 feels right on BD4 though. What other reeds would you recommend to try with BD7?? (for classical repertoire of course..)

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 Re: reeds for Vandoren BD7 Bb clarinet mouthpiece
Author: Ed 
Date:   2021-07-15 15:29

According to Vandoren's chart they suggest 2.5-3 in the traditional and 3-3.5 for the other cuts

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 Re: reeds for Vandoren BD7 Bb clarinet mouthpiece
Author: Ken Lagace 
Date:   2021-07-15 16:04

BD7 more open than BD4, therefore it needs softer reeds.

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 Re: reeds for Vandoren BD7 Bb clarinet mouthpiece
Author: Bob Barnhart 2017
Date:   2021-07-15 19:29

I am playing both the BD4 and BD7 with essentially the same reeds, but they are Pilgerstorfer Dolce 3.5-4.0 not Vandoren.

I used to play a Vandoren B40 with Traditional 3.0 reeds and that worked great. Since then I switched to Pilgerstorfer Dolces and haven't looked back.

I think that these very open mouthpieces (1.20+) require a very thin tip. The Pilgerstorfer reeds (like the VD Traditionals) are thinner at the tip (0.09mm) than the V12/V21 (0.10mm), or the Rue le Pic (0.11mm). I tried a box of RLP 3.0 reeds on my BD7 and had the same experience that you did--all the reeds felt too heavy.

Given this experience, I would try Pilgerstorfer Dolce 3.5 or VD Traditional 2.5-3.0, or any similar reeds that have a thinner tip (e.g., Behn Aria 3.5?).

One word of warning: while the BD7 plays/sounds/tunes great in general, I have found it more difficult to play above high-G (G6) than the BD4/BD5. It performs best with balanced reeds that have a thin tip and have been broken in properly. With such reeds, it feels/plays like many closer-facing mouthpieces.

Bob Barnhart

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 Re: reeds for Vandoren BD7 Bb clarinet mouthpiece
Author: Jimis4klar 
Date:   2021-07-27 18:51

Thanks Bob and thank you all! Can you tell me, the VD traditional number 3 which number of Pilgerstorfer Dolces equals with? By the way, I actually find my BD7 tunes better than BD4, no matter the reed I put on.. By now I've tried v12, v21 number 3 and Vandoren juno 3.5. Between these I find v12 3 plays the best but I didn't try the traditional 3, will see



Post Edited (2021-07-27 19:01)

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 Re: reeds for Vandoren BD7 Bb clarinet mouthpiece
Author: Bob Barnhart 2017
Date:   2021-07-28 01:33

Jimis4klar,

It's been a while since I could directly compare a VD Traditional #3 with a Pilgerstorfer Dolce #3.5 but I think this would a good correlation. Some of the Dolce #4s might also be comparable in strength, but I think the 3.5s are a better fit for the BD7. Dolce #3s might also work, but I think they will feel too soft because of the BD7s long lay.

I think the VD Traditional 3s and Pilgerstorfer 3.5s are similar in strength, but the Dolces seem less restrictive, and more flexible/vibrant. It's more a matter of feel than anything, and for me I prefer the feel of the Dolces.

Bob

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 Re: reeds for Vandoren BD7 Bb clarinet mouthpiece
Author: Jimis4klar 
Date:   2021-07-29 13:02

Thanks a lot Bob! I appreciate It! Just now these days I try 2 new number 3 traditionals, I have some old ones from the days I was learning playing clarinet but I think I don't get clear impression of how actually respond on BD7, they're old.. will see how new ones will evolve.



Post Edited (2021-07-29 13:04)

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 Re: reeds for Vandoren BD7 Bb clarinet mouthpiece
Author: kdk 
Date:   2021-07-30 02:49

I would say VD Traditional #3 might correlate with a Dolce #3.5 or #4. You'd probably find some that work well at either strength.

Karl

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 Re: reeds for Vandoren BD7 Bb clarinet mouthpiece
Author: Bob Barnhart 2017
Date:   2021-07-30 09:16

Kdk is exactly right. I find that with a 3.5 and a 4.0 that feel similar in strength, the 3.5 feels more open/vibrant and the 4.0 more dense/focused.

I just got a box of V12 3.0s and they work fine for me on my BD7, but they feel “tighter” than my Dolce 3.5s, more like the feel of an equivalent 4.0. I still like the Dolces best.

Maybe I’ll try a box of Traditional 3.0s but I’ll need to grow my reed budget!

Bob

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 Re: reeds for Vandoren BD7 Bb clarinet mouthpiece
Author: Jimis4klar 
Date:   2021-07-30 09:22

Thanks! I really think v12 gives the most projection but I recommend you trying traditional number 3, don't buy a box, instead buy 2 reeds, you'll get a clear impression..



Post Edited (2021-07-30 09:24)

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 Re: reeds for Vandoren BD7 Bb clarinet mouthpiece
Author: Robert N. 
Date:   2021-07-30 20:12

I find the Dolce 3.5 to be similar to a Vandoren Rue Lepic 3.0.
I imagine that the Dolce 3.5 would be somewhere between a 2.5 and 3.0 Vandoren Traditional.
I do prefer the Dolce to the Rue Lepic, I find the Dolce plays a bit freer. Of course that comes down to personal preference.



Post Edited (2021-07-30 20:13)

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