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Re: BD4 Throat Design?

Author: Bob Barnhart ★2017
Date: 2021-09-07 19:48

John,

Your suggestion that this might be an illusion seemed, at first, impossible, as it was so clearly a "ledge" at the interface between the baffle and chamber. However, I used a toothpick as a non-destructive probe and, by golly, I cannot feel what I clearly see!

As I run the toothpick over the interface between the baffle and chamber, I do feel a light "bump" but I think this is nothing more than the transition from the ground surface of the baffle to the smooth surface of the bore.

I have to say I'm both relieved and chagrined that this was an illusion!

Anyway, I wouldn't give up on the BD4. I find it to be sufficiently free, but with a nice degree of control. For me, it plays better with a slightly softer reed (i.e., "3.75" Pilgerstorfer Dolce) than my other favorite, a Zinner-based Kessler-Backun III which has a very similar facing but prefers a "4.0" Dolce. With the right reed, I can get a wider variety of sounds from it than either my BD5 or BD7, so (IMHO) it is a more general-purpose mouthpiece that suits a wider variety of music than its companions.

Thanks to all for helping to resolve this mystery!

Bob Barnhart

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BD4 Throat Design? new

Bob Barnhart

2021-09-05 23:15