 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: kfrank1
Date: 2006-08-02 17:32
I just bought a bass clarinet and am now seeking a suitable mpc for it. I've tried the Selmer C* that came with it and also a Vandoren B45 but both seem stuffy and lack volume. I've tried them with a Rico 2.5 reed as well as Rico Royal 3.0 Tenor reed. I may try other reeds as well.
On clarinet, if that is anything to go by, I use a .075" opening (1.9mm) with a short facing length (Berg SMS). I haven't been able to find any bass mpc that comes with an opening wider than 1.9mm.
Has anyone tried Yan's mpc, and know what it's tip opening is? Thanks.
Post Edited (2006-08-08 17:04)
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Author: BelgianClarinet
Date: 2006-08-02 17:36
I'm using a Selmer E (F was advised, but bit too much for me) and sounds great.
Still looking for 'perfect' reeds, a VD 3 or 3 1/2 JAVA (sax tenor) seems quite nice (I've been told that the late Mr Jozef horak - probably the best bass player ever - adviced the usage of JAVA)
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2006-08-02 18:17
Are you sure your clarinet mouthpiece has a 1.90mm tip opening? The biggest tip opening for a clarinet mouthpiece I've ever heard of is around 1.50mm.
My main bass clarinet mouthpiece is Fobes which is actually bigger than 1.90mm. It is the most open model and is 2.00mm. My backup bass clarinet mouthpiece is the most open Selmer model which is 2.30mm tip opening. So both of these are bigger than 1.90mm.
I don't know anything about the Jimmy Yan mouthpieces.
Post Edited (2006-08-02 18:22)
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2006-08-02 18:44
I also know nothing about J Y's bass mps. I ve tried quite a few, C* [as was and refaced], Bundy 3 s, on back, a Bay and a B45, BUT none are as good as my 2 Pomarico GG's both refaced by Dave S, one better than the other!! Conclusion, Keep trying/searching for your near-perfect one. Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: kfrank1
Date: 2006-08-02 19:02
I'm pretty sure my clarinet mpc is 1.9mm. It is a Berg Larsen with "75" stamped on it which I'm pretty sure corresponds to .075" which is 1.9mm.
About the Jimmy Yan piece, apparently a student of Joe Allard had one of Joe's mpc's and Jimmy Yan got a hold of it and made his mpc by copying the facing of Allard's mpc. So I was wondering whether anyone had tried it, and what the tip opening was.
Post Edited (2006-08-02 20:30)
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2006-08-02 20:09
1.9?? on a Bb??
If you do not have a measuring device, get one of those simple 99cent discs at the auto store (usually at the checkout counter). They have graduations rimming the circumference used for measuring spark plug gaps. Place mpc table down on flat surface and see which of the slots abuts the tip surface (where the reed would go).
Not 100% accurate, but close enough.
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2006-08-02 20:48
The Pomarico "Jazz" crystal bass clarinet mouthpiece has a rather huge 2.25 mm opening. See: http://www.pomaricompieces.com/new.html
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Author: mnorswor
Date: 2006-08-03 00:17
I've tried Jimmy's bass mpcs. They're very open in general, free blowing and I would think more suited to jazz players. The sound was a bit hard to control for me and I eventually switched off of it for this reason. He makes them on various blanks and the material I think has a big effect on what it sounds and feels like. His prices are good though, so give them a try, it might be what you're looking for.
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Author: John J. Moses
Date: 2006-08-03 04:40
Why not call Jimmy Yan in NYC, and speak to the man himself about his mouthpieces? Some of them are terrific, and some are a bit too open for me. He "customizes" them to each player's needs.
Jimmy uses all the knowledge he acquired from Everett Matson years ago, and also uses all of Matson's old measuring tools, plus some new stuff he has come up with.
I was one of the local NYC guys to lend Jimmy my "Joe Allard" Bass Clarinet mouthpiece to copy. Joe gave many of his students his mouthpieces from time to time, so there are quite a few floating around, not all of them are great, but Jimmy copied quite a few many years ago.
I suggest you call Jimmy directly to discuss your mouthpiece needs.
Again, his address and phone info is:
Jimmy Yan - JY Woodwinds
250 W 54th St. (between Broadway and 8th Ave.)
Room 801
New York, NY
212-581-9765
JJM
Légère Artist
Clark W. Fobes Artist
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Author: kfrank1
Date: 2006-08-03 05:34
Yes I may give him a call, as well as checking my clarinet mpc is as open as I think it is. Thanks all, and thanks for the info about his mpc John, Michael.
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Author: William
Date: 2006-08-03 14:22
I like my Grabner CXBS bass mpc (a customized Selmer C*) and use it with either a Legere 3.0 or VanDoran 2.5-3.0 reeds, depending upon the playing venue. Walter told me that my mpc--which I selected at his home in Evanston, IL--had the same specifications as the one used by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's bass clarinetist. Other info: Vandy Optimum lig and Buffet 1193-2 Prestige low C. I also had Walter work on my VanDoran B45 bass mouthpiece and whatever he did made it much more reponsive and less stuffy--and I use it as my back up. But for now, the CXBS in my main mpc for the clarity of sound in all registers, it's flexability of tonal focus in all dynamic levels and its basic responsiveness, even on those pesky G# and A5s.
However, as with any mouthpiece maker, no two will ever play exactly the same and you have to find "the one" that performs best for you. Then, as the legendary clarinetist, D Bonade said, "no matter what mouthpiece you select, it is most important to go home and learn how to play it".
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