 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: TomS
Date: 2016-01-14 18:27
Several years ago, Kelloggs launched an advertising campaign to sell more corn flakes. With all the hype and variety of new breakfast cereals, corn flake sales must have been sagging. The ad went something like: "Kelloggs Corn Flakes, try them again for the first time ..."
So, just wondering if we have lost sight of how great the older designs of Selmer and Vandoren are ... specifically the 2RV/5RV (not lyre) Vandoren and the Selmer HS*.
Are there really great advances in design over these MPs, that dominated in the 1950s and 1960s?
You would think that the production of these have been cleaned up in recent years and the quality and consistency should be better.
So, do we need to revisit the past, for a fresh evaluation? Are there other MPs that are just plain corn flakes, but have a delicious sound and play-ability?
Just wondering ... you never here of anyone purchasing either of these MPs. Should they just be dropped from production?
Tom
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Author: Jeroen
Date: 2016-01-14 19:12
It's a matter of taste I think. Don't know much about corn flakes but I think the sound of a 5RV or HS* is less appreciated now in favour of a more dark sound.
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Author: TomS
Date: 2016-01-14 20:23
A "dark" sound doesn't come without compromises in response and articulation, IMHO ... I have heard players of distant past that played the 2RV and HS* ... I wouldn't have called their sound "bright" or "thin" ... If my memory serves ... it has been a while.
Tom
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2016-01-14 22:56
There is a lot to unpack from your question. The easiest concerns modern production, Yes, the consistency has gotten much MUCH better with modern techniques vis a vis the CNC machine. So when you try one 5RV it plays almost exactly the same as the next one you try.
As for whether a mouthpiece won't be made anymore. That's up to y'all. If the company doesn't sell enough of a certain product, they won't bother making it anymore.
The mouthpieces of the past where mostly small chamber mouthpieces that generated a higher initial sound. This helps the acoustic of the clarinet (which HASN'T been altered over the years) play more evenly in tune (yes, I continue to grind my personal axe). Now a majority of mouthpieces are lower in pitch (larger tone chambers) and come with all the associated problems that need correcting with different barrels and pinching.
And if you want "plain cornflakes that just work," you need to try ESMs MCK-1 mouthpiece...........amazing!!!!!
................Paul Aviles
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2016-01-14 23:18
Hi,
I have a foot in both camps.
I play a Yamaha CS Custom as my number one clarinet but have a LeBlanc L200 (early 1980s) as my backup. My Selmer Model 30 bass is from the 1960s and plays great; my backup is Ridenour 925e. I play a very new Selmer Super 80 alto (Mark VI as BU) but still prefer my Mark VI tenor (Yamaha YTS 475 for BU). A little of this and a little of that based on ergonomics, intonation, and sound.
Mouthpieces are a different story. My current favorites are Borbeck, Garrett, and Rico Reserve. However, older VD, Portnoy, and Selmer mouthpieces are very hard to beat when you find a good one. But I think the tipping point with the new MPs though is the CNC machine even though the Borbeck and Garrett are still hand finished.
I am fortunate enough to have acquired lots of great equipment over the years. A newer player will need time to amass a good cross section of musical tools.
I want to make one point. If you know what you are looking for and keep your eyes and ears open, you do not have to spend vast quantities of money to get your hands on "good stuff" at a decent price. I got one of my very best MPs, a B45 with a small chip in the tip, off a junker clarinet ($25) from a pawn shop.
Always look for value whether it classic or new!
HRL
Post Edited (2016-01-15 02:15)
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Author: MarlboroughMan
Date: 2016-01-15 00:33
A few years back, my gigging mp was a Selmer C85 --this despite having a box full of custom mouthpieces.
Now I play vintage Brilharts (and have for about a year and half). Won't be changing anytime soon. But I do remember getting to a point with the custom mouthpiece market where I felt it was time to just get off the ride. I'm convinced that most Selmer C85s would work for me--they're pretty consistent--it's just a matter of getting used to whatever I'm playing.
Eric
******************************
The Jazz Clarinet
http://thejazzclarinet.blogspot.com/
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Author: Jeroen
Date: 2016-01-15 01:52
Well, luckily, the 5RV is still going strong. With today's good consistency of Vandoren it is still a good product. May be for a smaller amount of players than yesterdays but that's because there are far more other good mouthpieces to choose from today. And Vandoren has created its own competition by launching so many models.
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