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Re: BD4/BD7 13 series

Author: Bob Barnhart ★2017
Date: 2020-09-17 21:38

I have played a BD5-13 on-off for several years, but require a 1mm shorter barrel (on my Yamaha CSGs) to get it up to pitch. Several months ago I ordered a BD7 that, while it plays well, requires a significantly softer reed than my other go-to mouthpieces. However, despite the lack of any "-13" designation, I find that it does play more easily at A440 than the BD5-13. This seems a bit odd as the very open mouthpieces seem to be favored more by European players who might have to play at A442. Perhaps the BD7's facing allows more pitch flexibility based on one's reed choice than most facings. If so, Vandoren may not be working on a BD7-13 variant.

I do not have experience with the BD4 since I already have a great Kessler-Backun III that has a similar facing and plays easily at A440+.

Bob Barnhart

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