 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: sax panther
Date: 2014-03-24 02:09
Hi all
I know all the usual advice about how you should never buy a mouthpiece until you've tried it....however, I just managed to acquire, from the auction website, a Greg Smith chedeville no.1 for £36 (or 59 dollars for those of you in the USA), so at that price I thought I'd take the risk! I've managed to find a few snippets on here which mention using vandoren v12 strength 3.5, but was just wondering whether anybody had any other reed choices which would work well on this mouthpiece?
Thanks
Mike.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2014-03-24 03:47
I'm not certain of the strength suggestion for this particular facing, but Greg is fond of 3.5 V12s for his personal use. I have one of his slightly more open Kaspar style versions in cocobolo and he advised me to use this very reed. I though, am more comfortable (for now) using nr. 4 Rue Lepics.
I tend toward a more "robust" set-up, and I do recall trying the Cheddeville 1 many years ago with my nr. 4s and found it just slightly too mild a combination for me.
...........Paul Aviles
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2014-03-24 09:01
The Chedeville 1 has been my primary mouthpiece for a number of years though, recently, I have been giving a 1+ more use. Currently, my favorite reeds with the 1 are Xilema (3.75) and Gonzales GD (3.5). In the past, I have found Vandoren Traditional (3.5), V12 (3.5), Rue Lepic (3.5), and Rico Grand Concert (3.5) all to work for me. FYI and FWIW, from what Paul writes, I expect I prefer a slightly lighter setup than his. YMMV.
Best regadrs,
jnk
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Author: sax panther
Date: 2014-03-24 15:48
thanks Paul, Jack. I already have some V12 3.5s on order which should arrive at the same time as the mouthpiece, so I'll start off with those. Just thought I'd double check as those initial recommendations I saw were from some years ago, and wondered whether anyone had even greater success with synthetics, or the new rico reserves for example. I already have a Grabner K11* as my main mouthpiece so I'm looking forward to seeing how the Greg Smith Ched compares!
With a Grabner Kaspar and a Smith Ched I should really not ever have to look for a new mouthpiece...unless I see a good deal on a Brad Behn and start getting curious...
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Author: larryb
Date: 2014-03-25 11:23
I use Rico Classic Reserve 3.5+ with a Smith 1+ (or is it 1*?). Very satisfied.
Have also used V12 3.5s, which are fine too, but I find that the Ricos are more consistent (require less work, I'm lazy) and seem to last longer.
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Author: larryb
Date: 2014-03-26 02:52
Upon closer inspection, I have a 1* (one star). Sometimes I forget.
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2014-03-26 15:49
For these mouthpieces, Mr. Smith recommended I begin with V12 3.5 reeds and see if I prefer slightly harder or softer for my taste. What works best for me now with that mouthpiece is a Rico Reserve Classic 3.5. Your results may vary.
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: sax panther
Date: 2014-03-26 18:07
it arrived in the post today...oh wow. It sounds lovely. Really clear, rich sound. I tried it with 2 different V12 3.5s that I had on the go. One of them was a bit harder than the other, and felt a little breathy on my Grabner K11* but the Smith loved it.
I've only given it a half hour blow through in my spare room, but really like it so far. I've got a Latin band rehearsal tonight and a wind band rehearsal tomorrow night so I'll test it out then too. The wind band one will be interesting as it's in a large hall. Can't wait! I have a feeling that it will take over from the Grabner as my primary mouthpiece.
I've only tried it on my Opus so far. I've also got an old 1973 R13, so I'll see how it sounds on that when I get some more time at the weekend. Thanks for the advice everyone.
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