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Longer windows on recent Vandoren production MPs

Author: TomS
Date: 2025-08-26 03:13

I have recently purchased a new M15/13 and M40 lyre/13.

Both new MPs have longer windows (or slots?) by about 1.5 millimeters over samples that are older.

Apparently Vandoren has changed MP blanks ... or something.

The new M15 plays somewhat differently than my other (2 ea.) old stock. However, I've abandoned the M15, preferring the sound of the B40 lyre.

I was looking for something with fast articulation and good power, and I've found it in the B40 lyre.

I use "stupid soft" reeds ... usually 2 1/2 V12s ... I usually have to find the harder ones in the box to get the correct resistance.

The new B40 lyre with the longer window is slightly more compact blowing, a slightly lighter-brighter timbre and responds more uniformly note-to-note, register-to-register, I think. Tuning seems very close. I prefer the new "long window" MP.

Was this an intentional improvement?

Thanks, Vandoren!

I'll take a chance and purchase a 3rd B40 lyre.

Tom

Post Edited (2025-08-26 05:39)

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Re: Longer windows on recent Vandoren production MPs

Author: Dan Shusta
Date: 2025-08-26 10:00

TomS,

In the following SOTW thread, "Lambros" and "mfry" talk about longer windows. "Lambros" states how it affects the projection of a clarinet mpc while "mfry" gives a more general response concerning increased chamber size.

Anyway, I thought you might find it interesting to read:

https://www.saxontheweb.net/threads/effect-of-window-shape-on-sound-and-playability.305721/

Here's two players comments about Vandoren's square and Zinner's slightly rounded window ends. I learned something from both comments:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Clarinet/comments/13lfk51/mouthpiece_window/

Here's another SOTW thread. I think you might find "SaxyJ's" response to be of interest.

https://www.saxontheweb.net/threads/long-window-mouthpiece.100469/

Post Edited (2025-08-26 10:29)

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Re: Longer windows on recent Vandoren production MPs

Author: JTJC
Date: 2025-08-26 13:51

Ed Pillinger refers to this dimension in his PhD thesis on mouthpieces. If I understand correctly, the tip rail to lower edge of the window measurement proved to be linked with good response. In successful mouthpieces, this length was invariably between 32mm and 33mm. Success was even possible using a measurement of 34mm. Mouthpieces with smaller dimensions did not seem to maximise the potential of reeds and felt rather 'tight' and thin in character. It's not clear whether he measured from the top/outer edge of the tip rail or its inner edge.

Given Pillinger's experiment with lengths of 32mm to 34mm, TomS quotes an increase of 1.5mm, which might be a lot, depending on what the new final length is.

I wouldn't be surprised if Vandoren isn't shifting production of its older range of popular mouthpieces to CNC. The newer BD range already seem to be made that way. It could be that in transferring the old design to CNC they've made some changes they'd wanted to make, but we're put off by the cost of remaking their old moulds.

I'm a fan of the D'Addario Reserve Evolution EV10 mouthpiece. Having compared examples from when they first came out to recent ones I found variations. It seems side and tip rails are now thicker, and the mouthpieces are more resistant. As far as I'm aware, no changes to design have been announced. It seems unlikely such changes come down to variations in CNC setup, machines, tooling, technicians?

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