 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: dgiacobbe
Date: 2014-07-22 01:58
Hi all,
I'm looking for an alternative to a 30D. It's my go-to, but it also seems like it is a 'false' dark, where the sound is muffled, rather than having a clear sound. It seems like (and I could be wrong) that dynamics suffer because of it. M15's seem pretty small for me, personally, also, and M30's don't have that density of sound that I'd like to have.
I've tried Nick Kuckmeier's pieces, and while the darkness was admirable, though it was almost too much, with virtually no color on Vandoren reeds; Dan Johnston's as well, with mixed results. I've also tried Pynes (lately), and I really enjoy the density in the sound: a BCJX is what I've been testing. I don't know what specifically, but there's something that feels really off-kilter compared to the M30D, though.
Any suggestions? I'd appreciate it!
Daniel
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Author: Bob Barnhart ★2017
Date: 2014-07-22 05:25
You might try a Fobes Europa 4--very similar to an M30. I'm playing a Kessler-Backun III which I find has a similar feel but is more versatile.
Bob Barnhart
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Author: seabreeze
Date: 2014-07-22 10:12
The M30Ds I've tried have not been easy to resonate. You have to find a very vibrant reed to get any detail or color in the sound.
A relatively new,dark-sounding mouthpiece that I enjoy playing is the Walt Grabner G model in either G11 (open about 1.01 at the tip) or the G13* (open about 1.06 at the tip), Both of these have a big dark core, a large dynamic range, and articulate easily. They are fairly reed-friendly also.
I know the current trend is toward more open facings--the M30D is above 1.13 mm. at the tip, I believe, and the more open B40 lyre is now very popular--but I still find it easier to control the sound, bridge intervals smoothly, and articulate rapidly on a closer facing in the 0.98 to 1.06 mm range.
Size of tone, tonal presence, and width of dynamic range do not necessarily increase proportionately with increases in the tip opening of a mouthpiece. I also play on a Brad Behn Artist II mouthpiece with a very small tip opening of 0.98 mm, yet the dynamic range on this mouthpiece is so great that, using a correct embouchure, it is almost impossible to overblow. The Behn piece does not play as dark as the M30D but offers much more sound and sonority. The Grabner G11 and G13*, which DO play as dark as the M30D, do not need wide openings at all, yet can take a great deal of air and produce considerable size and volume of tone, and you may find them easier to control than the M30D.
Post Edited (2017-09-15 00:53)
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2014-07-22 16:27
Since Vandorens are easier to come by and replace :-), I suggest looking at the Masters CL4, M13 or 5RV Lyre (in that order).
I NEVER understood the M30D. I know, I know the whole German sound French barrel thing. I have just recovered a bunch of my old Wurlitzer mouthpieces for my Oehler system 100cs. I will ream out a standard Buffet barrel and see for myself about pitch and such. I'll get back to y'all soon.
............Paul Aviles
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Author: donald
Date: 2014-07-22 17:00
@ Paul- there was that other annoying post reccently by that fellow asking about using German mouthpieces on French clarinet... I actually have been intending to email Steve Fox and Jochen Seggelke to ask them their opinion (if they have time, both being busy people) so to actually get the opinion of instrument makers....
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Author: Carmelo
Date: 2014-07-22 19:16
If you can reach out to Greg Smith and try some of his Chedeville style facings. They are super reed friendly. Greg Smith is awesome to work with and you will not be disappointed.
Another suggestion would be the Borbeck 11 model. Mr. Borbeck is also great to work with and his mouthpieces also are reed friendly as well.
Carmelo
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Author: dgiacobbe
Date: 2014-07-22 21:22
Thanks for all the input! I appreciate the recommendations and opinions! It helps to learn about other mouthpiece candidates.
Daniel
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Author: HANGARDUDE
Date: 2014-07-22 23:21
@Paul and Donald,
Maybe I'll chime in and add a point here.
If you want a mouthpiece of a different larger bore size, it is absolutely necessary to get a reverse taper barrel specially designed for it. That's why Hans Moennig designed it to suit larger bore B&H mouthpieces. I suppose the same can be done for German mouthpieces, given that the pitch calculations are accurate. Thus I designed such a barrel that has the German bore on the top and a French bore at the bottom, and Martin Foag calculated the pitch and created the final product for me. I'll be recieving it next month, and I'll test it with Vandoren D mouthpieces as well as Playnick mouthpieces.
Some makers make their cross fit barrels, such as Wolgang Dietz and Martin Foag.
Also Herr Ludwig Dietz(son of Wolfgang) himself also claimed that different bores of mouthpieces can be cross fit to clarinets of different bores, but like I said a custom barrel is necessary for such purposes.
http://test.woodwind.org/oboe/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=393276&t=393276
Josh
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