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Re: Behn Vintage Mouthpieces A+

Author: Shawn Buck
Date: 2006-06-24 15:24

It's not likely that I'll say anything that hasn't already been said about mouthpieces in general, and Brad Behn's new Vintage in particular.
I've been playing on Kaspars (Cicero and Chicago), Cheds., and Lelandais for twenty years. They are all are wonderful mouthpieces--everyone agrees. Now, I'm using a Behn Vintage, Henri Chedeville model. It's as good or better than anything I own. To my ear, it has the same "ring" in the sound, and works well with my reeds.

It seems logical to conclude that the material used to manufacture a mpc. blank is tremendously important. (I would go so far as to say that even the density is critical.) Brad claims to have gone to great lengths to duplicate the same material for his Vintage blanks as that found in an old H. Chedeville. I'm not a scientist, but I have no reason to doubt him. The first thing I did (even before playing) when I got my Behn Vintage was smell it. It smelled like all of my old hard rubber mouthpieces--you know that sort of toxic smell. I've been told that's the odor of oxidizing sulphur. (One of my own personal tests--take it for what it's worth)

As far as interior dimensions and facings--Brad makes no claims of duplication. He has taken what he feels are the best ideas from what I would imagine are a variety of great Classic mouthpieces. This seems to be a reasonable approach. No one would deny that even the "great" mouthpieces can often benefit from the alterations of a great craftsman--the late Everette Matson certainly a perfect example. To his credit, Brad is also a remarkable clarinetist. Seems like a perfect mix--artist/craftsman. Personally, I have found that my Behn Vintage helped to correct some out-of-tune 12ths (often a problem on Kaspars).

Finally--and this is entirely my own story--I have always struggled to maintain the same sound quality (tongue position, vowel sound, air speed) between my throat tones and the first 5th above. That sudden change between the shortest to the longest air column always seems to disturb my sound. For me, it's usually easy to achieve the ideal feel/focus when playing throat tones. I want that same feel/focus in that 5th just over the break. My Behn Vintage gives me that. (That was a huge factor for me.)

As far as cost--be thankful you don't play violin. Try the Vintage. If you like it, you'll find the money.

Post Edited (2006-06-24 21:33)

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Behn Vintage Mouthpieces A+ new

Llewsrac

2006-02-26 22:59