 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: S.Takuto
Date: 2023-11-13 14:58
I bought a medium facing "PRESCOTT" clarinet mouthpiece created by BEHN in September and am very happy with it.
However, I am still struggling with reed compatibility and have tried using V12 3.5, D'Addario evolution 3.5+, Leutner French 3.5, etc. but have not been able to play very well.
I contacted BEHN directly and they seem to recommend reeds with a thinner heel and tip and softer reed, such as the Blue Box 3 or the Rigotti 3.
What do other players use for reeds?
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Author: J. J.
Date: 2023-11-13 19:20
I’m struggling to figure out how you can be very happy with a mouthpiece with which you’re struggling to find reed compatibility.
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Author: S.Takuto
Date: 2023-11-13 19:31
My apologies. I guess I did not express myself well.
I am not dissatisfied with the mouthpiece because I can express myself in many ways no matter which reed I use, but that is why I am wondering what kind of reed I should use.
For example, the V12 3.5 is too soft for me, or the D'AddarioEVOLUTION 3.5+ has a good hardness, but I feel there are reeds that allow me to express myself more freely.
BEHN recommended Blue Box #3, for example, is too free for me.
So I wanted to ask what kind of reeds other people are using.
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Author: SecondTry
Date: 2023-11-13 19:31
J.J.'s point is spot on I think.
That said, what is it about the reeds you've used so far that are, in your opinion, falling short?
There are so many ways, I think, reeds can let you down: what are your experiences: are they too hard/soft, light/dark, unresponsive..do so few work...do you adjust reeds?
Maybe it's not the reeds so much as maybe knowledge of techniques like those found in the ATG method of reed adjustment by William Ridenour that are what you actually need most.
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Author: S.Takuto
Date: 2023-11-13 19:39
I see...reed adjustment.
I do things like sharpening hard reeds so that they can be played more easily.
I was also thinking that if many people use softer reeds like BEHN recommends, I would try to study with those reeds.
I was wondering if I need to rethink my embouchure, etc., but I may need to learn to adjust my reeds as well.
I like the feel of this mouthpiece better than any other I've used, so maybe I'm too nervous. ......
Post Edited (2023-11-13 19:41)
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Author: SecondTry
Date: 2023-11-13 20:36
our posts seem to have crossed..
that said you seem to have presented me with the conundrum of desiring more free blowing reeds but ones that aren't too soft. I get what you're saying but also tend to associate both attributes as a pair rather than as opposites.
Maybe this is silly, but have you considered, if you are not doing it already, micro adjustments of the reed's position on the mouthpiece?
Rarely, by design, do I place a cane reed exactly centered, in all respects, on the mouthpiece. I might move it up a micron if too soft, and/or to the left or right a micron if the right or left tip of the reed, respectively, is seen by me to be softer than the other side as revealed by blowing the reed while the mouthpiece is angled to one side or another, again, consistent with some of the techniques discussed in the ATG method of reed adjustment.
Notice I say cane reeds, which by mother nature are rarely in perfect balance even if cut symmetrically to the best humans can measure. Mother nature doesn't make the cane in a single reed perfectly homogeneous, or out mouths so, meaning a perfectly balanced reed for each of us might also be one that is not physically, perfectly symmetrical: we may remove microns more material on a harder side. I'm far less likely to move a synthetic reed to the left or right, but I will make micro up and down adjustments for strength on a synthetic.
Have you tried Leuthner or Pilgerstorfer reed brands, available from Clark Fobes? I think Pilgerstorfer's tend to run weaker by strength than Vandy Blue boxes, but I find these reeds very consistently good.
Post Edited (2023-11-13 20:40)
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Author: S.Takuto
Date: 2023-11-13 20:49
I see, I am learning.
It's true that I sometimes make adjustments to move the leads up and down, but rarely have I moved them left and right. I'll have to experiment.
So far I have a pretty good impression of the Leutner reeds, I'm using the 3.5, it's a bit soft, but it's my main one for now.
I haven't tried the Pilgerstorfer yet.
Thanks for sharing the details.
It would be a meaningful topic for me if someone who uses the same mouthpiece could post what kind of reeds they use.
Post Edited (2023-11-13 20:52)
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Author: SecondTry
Date: 2023-11-13 22:23
So we are clear, when I speak of reed movement I am talking about measurements that, each time you move and test it, are so small, that if they were any smaller the human eye could not detect them.
By analogy, when I trim a reed's tip in situations where I feel that the reed is too soft, the amount I cut (and then test) is the smallest amount I can visually perceive to cut in the reed trimmer: less than a millimeter....
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Author: sonicbang
Date: 2023-11-14 02:15
You have a mouthpiece and you like its characteristics. You also have a preferred reed brand & strength. A viable option would be to make the mouthpiece more free-blowing to make it compatible with the V12 3.5. This can be done by Brad (best option, as he knows his own product better than anyone else) or any competent mouthpiece technician on this BBoard.
Mark
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Author: Robert N.
Date: 2023-11-14 02:43
With Behn mouthpieces, my personal preferences are in the following order:
1. Brad's own reeds. I have only used his ARIA reeds. I find the work best with his mouthpieces for me.
2. Pilgerstorfer Dolce reeds. I also like the dolce reeds with Brad's mouthpieces.
3. Vandoren Traditional reeds are also okay, though I prefer the other two options.
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Author: Ed
Date: 2023-11-14 03:50
Brad's mouthpieces have a kind of "hold" or some might say blowing resistance where lighter reeds seem to work best for response. Some makers prefer making a mouthpiece with less resistance which may allow a harder reed.
I would go with the suggestions of Brad's Aria or whatever else he may like. Take some time to let your air do the work and try to relax the embouchure. See if you might get comfortable with that slightly different feel.
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Author: donald
Date: 2023-11-14 12:59
Two things come to mind.... have you tried the Vandoren 3.5+ (3.75) reeds? I don't think they make them for blue box, but they DO make them for V12, RLP and V21.
The Behn Brio 3.5 reeds are, I'd say, the equivelent of 3.25 V12s so it's a safe bet that the Brio 4 is a V12 3.75
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Author: ACCA
Date: 2023-11-14 15:24
Check out pilgersdorfer morre cut. You probably want strength 4. For me they play like a very good blue box reed, running a half strength softer but with improved response and dynamic range.
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Author: SecondTry
Date: 2023-11-14 19:27
Takuto Sunaga:
Here's a segment of a video where a reed is side to side tested for strength. The mouthpiece is turned on its side to effect this.
Once any imbalances are determined, the video's author, William Ridenour seeks to correct them with the removal of reed material from the stronger side using his ATG system.
But that said, when small differences in strength exist between the sides, another approach apart from sanding is to move the reed in the direction of the weaker side, even if only by microns.
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Author: S.Takuto
Date: 2023-11-15 19:14
Thanks everyone for all the information.
ARIA and Pilgerstorfer sounded strongly like something I should try.
Unfortunately, I was wondering about them because of the high shipping costs where I live, but from all this information, I think I might have an encounter that I would be willing to pay the shipping costs for.
After all, it is more meaningful in terms of both time and knowledge to consult at a place like this rather than worrying alone.
The cut of the tip of the V12 does not match the tip curve of the mouthpiece, and I thought about refacing this to solve the problem, but I feel it would be a shame to change it too much from this state, and I think I might ask Brad to make it an option for my next purchase.
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Author: S.Takuto
Date: 2023-11-15 19:22
By the way, what number do you think is best for Pilgerstorfer's Dolce?
I tried to buy it on the Fobbs website, but unfortunately they are sold out of number 3.5...
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Author: Max S-D
Date: 2023-11-16 22:13
I would second the Aria recommendation. For me, they are what I always wanted the blue box to be. The strengths are odd, however. I normally play a V12 #3 and ended up on an Aria 4. My ideal V12 would probably be a (fictional) 3+ if it existed.
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Author: donald
Date: 2023-11-16 23:43
Yes, I wish they made a V12 3+ !!!!! Working my way through a box of Behn Brio 3.5s at the moment and they seem to be fitting the bill.....
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Author: S.Takuto
Date: 2023-11-21 15:47
I can certainly see why you would want a 3+ on the V12!
I've heard calls for 3+ in other mouthpieces (e.g. B40) as well.
For now, I have the funds to try the Brio and the Aria; the Brio is on sale right now and seems to be just about right. Personally, I like unfiled cuts, and if the Aria fits that bill, my problem seems to be solved.
I heard from a friend who used to use BEHN reeds that they are made with a much thinner tip?
Whatever it is, I can't wait to order and receive it.
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Author: S.Takuto
Date: 2024-01-19 15:59
It's been a while, but I bought a Pilgerstorfer dolce!
This works like an excellent blue box and seems to fit PRESCOTT very well.
It is easy to blow, has a variety of tones, and is the closest to the reed I was looking for.
I also bought Pilgerstorfer's MORRE, which I hope to post more thoughts on later.
I have also ordered BEHN's Aria and am waiting for it to arrive.
Thanks to all of you for your help and good performances!
Thanks so much!
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