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Re: B40 and B45

Author: D Dow
Date: 2003-03-22 14:40

The problem I have encountered with some of the M facings is a tendency to play quite flat on the throat notes and also a slight stuffy sound in the middle clarion....I have not particularly like any of the M13s I have owned nor did I continue using them. I just sold them to students at half price. I also found a good deal of the M13 Lyres to be inconsistent from one another in spite of the lack of projection....they also were somewhat lower than my Chedeville and other hand made American facings....hmmm.

Recently I can say I quite enjoyed the M15 and the M30 and felt they had far more thought in terms of tonal conception and are excellent. Again I think this is where the product has finally reached its ultimate conclusion. the 11.1 and M14 as far as I know are no longer available....the M14 was too much like the M13Lyre and therefore I eliminated it from my choice pieces for students. Now I tend have students work either on the B4013 or the M15 or M30 and notice they sound alot better. As far as I am concerned the M13 is a poor copy of the Chedeville with no individuality whatsoever.....

When studying in Paris I was in contact with far more players who used the B40 than any other facing. I think partly it is because of the tonal focus and ring they possess....most French players and alot Czech players are using them. A solist 2 years from the Czech republic used a B40 in a solo with our orchestra and sounded very good...I also find the B40 resistant but it also has a good deal of positive aspects for students and pros. Alot of this is the centre and ring on its sound. very few French solists use the B45 and I can say quite positively I don't know of a solist right now in France using them....

Alas, Vandoren has discontinued its Crystal mouthpiece line ... I seem to rember having a fairly nice A2 facing which did not have the stuffy small sound of the A1....I also believe that a handmade facing is far better than a factory piece as well. The trick for students is affordability....

David Dow

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