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Re: Vandoren Master Series Mouthpieces

Author: seabreeze
Date: 2022-01-20 19:42

The CL series and the BD series are very different. The CLs (CL4, CL5, CL6) came along at a time when players were experimenting with very dark sounding mouthpieces like the Kuckmeiers. They found the basic sound of the older Vandorens like the 2RV, the M13 and the M15 edgier and brighter than they liked, especially in the altissimo and wanted something that would dampen the upper partials in the sound and produce a better blend in ensemble. The Vandoren BD5 with the little "scoop" in the baffle and other darkening features gave them what they were looking for, and the CL series did not. Sound concepts even in classical orchestral settings change with time. Fashions come in and out. The CL series was too traditionally "French" sounding-- with its tightly centered sound and vibrancy-- to suit the changing tastes. CLs have been discontinued. I love them personally and like to have them closed to about a 1.01 tip opening, but if you're looking for a more muted, velvety, darker sound--the sound that is now in fashion--the BD5 is the popular choice. If you have CL mouthpieces you might want to save them. The fashion in sound might change again to a more penetrating vibrancy, and they would be excellent pieces to use for that.
Here's a clip of Nicholas Baldeyrou sounding very "old French" on a CL4 and a CL5.
Personally, I like that sound. https://youtube.com/watch?v=UAOVSbjcK_w.

Post Edited (2022-01-20 19:48)

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