Author: ScottS
Date: 2024-01-17 19:09
REVIEW of Ramon Wodkowski N2 Mouthpiece Purchased TODAY!
Thanks to all of the above who shared insights and experiences with your Ramon Wodkowski Mouthpieces. I have now purchased the N2 from Ramon, and would like to share my thoughts and reason for my choice after a week plus of testing and playing.
First and foremost, if you already know of Ramon's excellent work, this will simply reinforce your experiences. If you are "new" to learning about him, this may be enlightening and edifying toward your considerations.
I know that each of us is unique in our embouchure, clarinet choices, ligature choices, reed choices, and of course the all-important mouthpiece choice. And of course pros sound amazing on many different models and designs of each of these.
However, I want to share my own recent journey with coming to know Ramon online, working with him, and landing on his amazing N2. I followed his recommendation of the B1 and the N2, two of his new creations. He guided me based on communication with him about what I have been using with all of my clarinet gear.
He not only uses his computer technology to get all the essential details set by spec, but then hand finishes, play tests and voices them himself and THEN...sends them to you. So this is absolutely a custom design by Ramon himself, not a machine stamped "copy" of a line. He does all the fine work by hand.
For me this week, Ramon's N2 delivered the following while working on concert lit, etudes, ballads, technical exercises, and more:
*Dynamic Extremes Were Beautifully Attainable, from ppp to fff
*A Powerful Focused Sound that will "Cut Through" an Orchestra or Band
*A Lovely Colorful Tone with All the Overtone Colors
*Solid Articulation of Staccato, Accent, Legato All Easily Accomplished
*Evenness of Tone/Consistency Across the Chalumeau, Clarion, Altissimo Registers
*In Tune at All Levels with My Tuner
*Warm Consistent Tone in All Ranges
I felt that I could "dance" and "sing" through whatever passage I was playing. It felt like a new relationship with my clarinet.
For me, the N2 "won out," but many love the B1 as well! Certainly to each person comes this personal experience. I am not dissing the other artisans of my former mouthpieces at all. There is a place in the world for them, and they do excellent work. I just want to share my deep joy over this next level for me with Ramon's N2. I cannot wait to deepen my dive in the multiple ensembles in which I share art and connection with wonderful people.
This is the mouthpiece for me! Fantastic, and I highly recommend giving it a "ride!" The $450 is worth every dime to me, because again, it is hand finished and play tested by Ramon himself. Connecting with several people above, including a world class performer in the BBC Orchestra who uses Ramon's mouthpieces...truly motivated me.
The B1 was terrific, but the N2 just had something magical in its tone that stood out for me.
I have a journey ahead to continue my musical "climb." I could not feel more blessed and jubilant than to do so with Ramon Wodkowski's N2.
Also he was wonderful to work with. Answered all of my questions and guided me throughout the process!
Thanks for reading!
Sincerely,
Scott S
Central Lakes College Wind Symphony/Brainerd, MN
Borealis Orchestra/Grand Marais, MN
Post Edited (2024-01-17 19:37)
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