 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Fantasia Buffet R13
Date: 2011-03-18 22:29
Charles Bay
Greg Smith
James Pyne
Vandoren (B45, M30, M15, M13, etc.?)
Kaspar Chicago
Tom Ridenour
Brad Behn
What mouthpiece brand would work well for Buffet R13, Vandoren 3.5/4 size reeds? Would you suggest any of these brands, and please name more if you know of another good quality brand. I currently play on Clark Fobes (Debut) mouthpiece and looking for an upgrade. [Less resistance, nice/dark tone] Thank you fellow clarinet musicians!
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2011-03-19 04:05
Well the list is of fairly disparate price points and quite honestly only you can decide which will be "Fantasia Buffet R13" friendly.
One of the good things about the Vandoren line is that you can find almost any combination of tip opening vs length of lay with a wide variety of 'other' factors thrown in. So this might be a good starting point for trials.
The Kaspar Cicero Chicago is a "legendary" mouthpiece that you can still find on Ebay but at a price and you can't guarantee that it still has its original facing or that you'll like it anyway. Many modern makers claim some sort of copy of that mouthpiece and they are all wildly different from one another. I have recently come to the conclusion that Bay does one of the best copies around but that's $300. I haven't tried Behn's, but his is $600. It all depends on what value you place on the mouthpiece you like.
Vandorens are great values at great prices and so are the Gennusa mouthpieces. Don't assume that a $300 mouthpiece is five times better. In fact you may find that FOR YOU, it could be the other way around.
....................Paul Aviles
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2011-03-19 04:34
Be sure to include Walter Grabner's offerings in your prospective mouthpiece list. Beautifully made pieces, as are those from Gregory Smith.
Jeff
“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010
"A drummer is a musician's best friend."
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2011-03-19 13:37
I play a mouthpiece by the late Kalmen Opperman, which is the best I've ever tried. They appear once in a long while on eBay.
The best way to get a good mouthpiece is to go to a maker and sit in the workshop while it's adjusted to your instrument and way of blowing. Some makers Smith, Grabner) will send you several mouthpieces to try, which is the next best way.
Ken Shaw
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Author: kdk
Date: 2011-03-19 14:23
The makers that you and others have mentioned all make quality products that would "work well" on your R13. One addition to the list should be Chris Hill. I notice you didn't include Clark Fobes in your original list. His top level mouthpieces are also excellent and meant to compete with the others.
When you limit your search to mouthpieces that will work with a certain reed strength (or range), you are in a way putting the cart before the horse. Still, specifying #3-1/2-4 (V12? VD Traditional) does focus your search on a particular range of facing styles, which may help manage the process.
The best you can do, since gathering a representative sample of all the best makers' work is at least impractical if not impossible, is to read about the various mouthpieces that are available. Find what's here that players have said about each maker (do a search on each name). Check their websites - read the descriptions of each mouthpiece in each maker's line. Most if not all of the major mouthpiece producers, however confident they are in their mouthpieces, will try to work with you to accommodate your wants or needs. Then contact one or two - their trial policies as well as their prices and contact information are detailed on their websites.
The important thing to realize is that whatever you get from any of these sources will probably feel and sound good and has the potential to produce excellent results. Much of your success with any of them will depend less on the different qualities of each mouthpiece as on your ability to bring out the best of the one you finally choose.
Good luck,
Karl
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Author: clairmusic
Date: 2011-03-21 21:29
All the mpcs you mentioned are great mpcs. I played on a Bay for yrs. and recently(a few yrs. ago) switched to a Behn mpc. my Bay is pretty old and needed refacing. MR. Behn is an old instructor of mine. his mpcs are truly supurb. They play with ease and great focus and response. He makes them I believe for traditional reeds, thou I do use both Rico Reserve Classics and traditionals depending on what I am playing. He makes many verities and is always comming up with other prototypes. I would e-mail or call the # on his website: Behnmouthpieces international.com. to find out what might work for you. Gd luck!
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Author: concertmaster3
Date: 2011-03-21 22:25
I'll throw in Genussa also. Ben Redwine sent me about 6 or so facings to try about this time last year, and thought they were each great, but a particular facing stuck out to me. The clarinet teacher at my alma mater suggested them to all of his students also, and I think they're just a great all around piece. Give it a try, and good luck! With so many makers on the market, you have a lot to choose from.
Ron Ford
Woodwind Specialist
Performer/Teacher/Arranger
http://www.RonFordMusic.com
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Author: weberfan
Date: 2011-03-21 23:43
Here's another name for the growing list: You might take a look at the Web site of Richard Hawkins, who teaches at Oberlin, and makes some very fine mouthpieces. I play his "B" model, which has a relatively close facing. Tone, projection and resistance all work very well for me. Dont know if they'd work for you, but Richard is very accommodating. You can certainly arrange a trial.
I'd also second Jeff Albrecht's recommendation of Walter Grabner's mouthpieces. And you might check out some of Clark Fobes's San Francisco mouthpieces. You can arrange to play-test them as well.
Post Edited (2011-03-22 00:08)
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2011-03-22 10:13
Check that out!!!!
Bay is NOT a sponsor?!!? What's up with that?
.....................Paul Aviles
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