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Re: Backun Vocalise mouthpieces

Author: Bob Barnhart ★2017
Date: 2021-08-14 20:10

A couple of years ago I was playing the Backun Arabesque mouthpiece (which I still like) and tried the Vocalise H. It seemed like a very competent mouthpiece, very dark sound, good response, good intonation, but more resistant than my Arabesque. I had the same feeling with it that I had with my BD5-13: it let you do only what it wanted to. I decided it was not for me and sent it back.

After the demise of Zinner, I decided to try the BD7 and really liked the sound and feel of the mouthpiece. Since I had tried to compare the Vocalise H against my Arabesque, I decided to try the Vocalise Z against the BD7. The Z was "similar" to the BD7, but very dark and more resistant/inflexible. I sent it back too.

As I had been playing a Kessler-Backun III for years and it allegedly had a facing similar to the BD4, I recently ordered a pair of BD4s and found them to be a very good all-around choice. The have great response and, unlike the BD5 or BD7 a very flexible, round sound--everything from brilliant to warm. They also feel less resistant than the BD7.

I like to feel that I have options with my setup and the BD4 seems to offer me that whereas, while the Vocalise mouthpieces I've tried can produce a beautiful dark sound, they seem optimized for a smaller range of playing styles.

Bob Barnhart

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