 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: William
Date: 2002-03-18 22:05
Last Sat, after the "Master Class" given by Gregory Smith at IMS, I selected (with Lisa's patient help--I'm quite picky and things have to be made right) a new Buffet Prestige low C bass clarinet to bring home for a short trial period. Currently, I am using a VanDoren B-45 which has been refaced to accept tenor sax reeds with an Optimum lig. I have been using cane tenor sax reeds--many brands, med. hard--but I have also been getting resonable results using Legere #4 and #4.5 bass clar reeds. My question to all of you more experianced bass clarinetists is: what set-up (mpc/reed) do you recommend and use?
Thanks in advance, and Good Clarineting!!!!
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Author: Ed
Date: 2002-03-19 01:28
Clark Fobes CF facing with Vandoren reeds-usually 3 1/2. Great mouthpiece.
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Author: Forest Aten
Date: 2002-03-19 01:46
I'll second the vote for Clark's bass clarinet mouthpiece...I use Vandoren 4's. Top rate!
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Author: Aaron Diestel
Date: 2002-03-19 02:35
First off.........I owuld never use tenor sax reeds on a bass clarient. they are not very compatible, espically if you are doing classical work. That's why you had to get the mouthpiece refaced to accept the tenor reeds. Bass and tenor reeds are of different cuts. Stick to the Vandoren reeds, they are no more expensive than a box of Vandoren tenor reeds. Also you'll never have to reface you mouthpiece espically to use them. ( you might have to reface the mouthpiece along the line, but not for the special use of a certain reed)
Here's my take on the mouthpieces.
Almost every profesional I know, as well as myself, use at least uses a C* with Vandoren 3 or 3.5 reeds. I have played the Clark Forbes CF facing and noticed something familiar. I quickly drug out my facing measurment guide and noticed that the CF had the same measurments as the C*. Not only that it had a similar window opening, and inside measurments.
The C* and CF are made fomr the same mouthpiece blank, which is acceptable, however from my measurments the CF and C* were the same mouthpiece. I luckily only had the CF on trial, why would I need to spend $200 on a mouthpiece that I already own for $100?!
I'm not saying this is true of all Forbes mouthpeces. I just found that to be an interesting fact.
The C* and Forbes CF are great mouthpieces. I know of no other professionals out ther that are using anything other than those two choices.
Aaron
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Author: Mike Harrelson
Date: 2002-03-19 02:56
Its really whats best for you, not what others are using. Each mouthpiece will perform better with a certain strength reed. Generally the more open the mouthpiece the softer the reed. Its what feels and sounds best for you.
As to tenor and bass clarinet reeds, I keep reading and hearing that they are different. But I play tenor sax and bass clarinet and buy reeds made for each instrument.... I don't see any difference between the two. Side by side they look the same to me.
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Author: Robert Small
Date: 2002-03-19 04:42
I use a custom made Bay (.100" tip opening) with a Fibracell medium tenor sax reed. This is a bright edgy sounding set-up better suited for jazz than classical but I like the way it plays. I have compared tenor sax and bass clarinet reeds back to back and have found that the tenor sax reeds are slightly longer; maybe 1/64th of an inch. I wouldn't think a bass clarinet mouthpiece would have to be altered to accomodate a tenor sax reed. My Bay works with either a bass reed or a tenor sax reed but I prefer the Fibracell tenor sax reeds.
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Author: graham
Date: 2002-03-19 07:23
A mouthpiece made by Pillinger after Howarth and I use strength 3 reeds. I also have a B 45 which is OK (but not brilliant) and c * which i do not like at all.
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Author: Wes
Date: 2002-03-19 08:24
The Selmer C* mouthpiece and Rico Royal 2 1/2 reeds are great for the bass clarinet. I use Van Doren reeds on other instruments.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2002-03-19 14:55
Selmer C* [tip slightly opened] for general community band use, Pomarico glass [GG] refaced by D S, to about #2, for smaller, more classical groups and "tender" accompaniment as in Bb sop solos and musicals. Use 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 tenor sax reeds, trimming the tips [Cordier trimmer] to adjust hardness, works for me !! Don
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Author: David Spiegelthal
Date: 2002-03-19 17:14
Pomarico crystal, refaced by D S (that would be 'moi'), with various brands of reeds including old Charles Chedevilles, Glotins, Marcas, Olivieris, Rigottis, and Zondas (tenor sax size since they don't make'em in bass clarinet), all reeds about #4; with a Vandoren inverted metal ligature (standard type, not the newer Optimum) or Rovner. This setup is conducive to promoting the Fundamental Principle of the Riverdale (Md.) School of Low Clarinet Playing, i.e. "EVERY NOTE'S A SOLO!". No tenderness here......
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Author: beth
Date: 2002-03-19 20:49
I'm using a Selmer C* and Hemke 2.5 tenor sax reeds.
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Author: Jean Adler
Date: 2002-03-19 21:09
I use a Richard Hawkins mouthpiece with Charpen 3 1/2 reeds. I also play on the Buffet Prestige Low C.
I use a Rovner ligature.
I really like the Hawkins. Did the instrument come with a mouthpiece? I found the one that came with the instrument to work just fine. I also got my instrument from IMS.
Good luck. It is a beautiful instrument isn't it?
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Author: Daniel
Date: 2002-03-20 07:22
My personal favorite mouthpieces on bass is good Kaspar Chicago and Cicero mouthpieces. But as I don't have $600-900 to spend on another Kaspar right now, I use one of Rick Sayre's older custom K13 mouthpieces. I hate the Selmer mouthpieces, even after a reface job. But Rick's custom blanks with his Kaspar facings work great! And sound about as close to a Kaspar mouthpiece as you can get, short of actually buying a Kaspar. The last time I visited Rick's shop in Chicago, he didn't have any of his custom blanks (and even claimed that he'd always simply used Selmer blanks, which anyone can tell just by looking at the blank that they're not even made by the same people). So I'm not sure if they're available anymore.
Daniel
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Author: Andy
Date: 2002-03-20 11:44
A pomarico HB with 3.5 marca reeds on a Buffet Prestige Low C horn. A very big sound. When i want something a little smaller in size i use a vandoren A3 crystal (also made by pomarico!) that is now no longer made with Vandoren 3 or 3/5's
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Author: GBK
Date: 2002-03-20 12:18
Andy...Please email me. I would like to discuss something with you, off-line...Thanks...GBK
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