 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: JTJC
Date: 2026-07-13 19:21
This is a new mouthpiece to me and I've not seen it mentioned on the board. Has anyone come across it? It seems to be their most expensive Bb model, but at 1.20 tip and 24mm lay, I don't think it's for me.
Post Edited (2026-07-13 19:22)
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Author: David H. Kinder
Date: 2026-07-13 22:40
Some time ago I watched Jay Hessler (Clarinet Ninja on YouTube) interview Brad Behn on his mouthpieces. He said that Vandoren measures & publishes their tip openings based on the very end of the tip as opposed to measuring the tip on the inside of the baffle.
Once I heard this, my thoughts have changed regarding how to interpret published measurements.
That being said, I guess more and more makers may be jumping on the Vandoren bandwagon regarding higher density mouthpieces?
Ridenour AureA Bb clarinet
Ridenour Artist MT36 mouthpiece
Vandoren Optimum black ligature (plate 1)
Vandoren Traditional #3.5 reeds
Brad Behn HR adjustable barrel
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Author: Ed
Date: 2026-07-15 16:00
I recall someone in the business (perhaps with a connection to Selmer) explained to me that they have a different way of measuring, which is why their facing lengths seem so extreme. Unfortunately, I can't recall how that measurement was done.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2026-07-15 16:44
You're all I need to get by
Like the sweet morning dew
I took one look at you
And it was plain to see
You were my Density
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
Independent Woodwind Repairer
Single and Double Reed Specialist
Oboes, Clarinets and Saxes
NOT A MEMBER OF N.A.M.I.R.
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: JTJC
Date: 2026-07-16 16:56
I believe the practice in America is to measure tip opening from its inner edge. This may be because of how a tip wand reads the measurement. You get a different, wider, measurement if the 'extreme' tip is used, that is the outer edge of the tip rail. The difference between an the two methods can be 0.10mm or more, depending on mouthpiece design. So a mouthpiece quoted as a 1.02mm tip, could also measure 1.12mm, depending on method.
A lot of sources seem to quote lay length based on measurements using the thinnest feeler gauge, around 0.04mm. However, that's not where a lay starts. Due to the curve of the lay, its actual start is some way beyond where that gauge can reach. You get a longer lay measurement if you don't use the feeler gauge method. The difference between the two methods can be 1.0mm or more, depending on the shape of the lay curve.
It's these differences that often make me wonder about manufacturers' published mouthpiece dimensions. I haven't been able to verify this, but I suspect published dimensions from many German companies are based on both extreme tip and actual start of the lay, particularly for those producing French facings. Can anyone provide any insights on this?
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Author: David H. Kinder
Date: 2026-07-16 21:43
Brad Behn talks about Vandoren measurements vs other mouthpiece manufacturers in this video (starting at the 24:00 mark):
https://youtu.be/S46UwLqa6ek?si=3J3gQPiOuBYE8kJj&t=1440
Ridenour AureA Bb clarinet
Ridenour Artist MT36 mouthpiece
Vandoren Optimum black ligature (plate 1)
Vandoren Traditional #3.5 reeds
Brad Behn HR adjustable barrel
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