The Clarinet BBoard

The Clarinet BBoard The C4 standard

New Topic | Go to Top | Go to Topic | Search | Help/Rules | Smileys/Notes | Log In

Previous Message | Next Message

Vandoren B50- design change?

Author: papergates
Date: 2020-12-19 07:57

I've been playing a Vandoren B50 on bass clarinet for about six years. It's my favorite mouthpiece I've ever owned, to the point where I'd never even consider trying anything else. I had a hole drilled in mine for a Little Jake bassoon pickup which has been filled with poster putty for a few years now (I switched to a pickup which is attached to the ligature).

I recently picked up a second B50, figuring that an unmodified mouthpiece might be better. I've had it for about a week, and... it's terrible.

Comparing it to my old mouthpiece visually, it's pretty different. The rails are much thicker, as is the tip. The window is wider at the bottom and narrower at the top. The beak of the mouthpiece is slightly narrower (I can feel the sides of the reed when playing.) The table is narrower overall and shaped differently at the bottom. Also, the rings around the middle- that line up approximately with the top of the ligature- which are painted gold on my old B50 and both of my Bb clarinet mouthpieces- aren't painted.

As far as sound and feel goes, it's much less responsive. It's resistant and just cuts out sometimes. The tone feels harsher.

Anyone know what's up? Have they changed the design? I got it B-stock from WWBW. I don't know if anybody's counterfeiting Vandoren mouthpieces, but if they are, perhaps someone ordered the real thing, put a fake in the box, and returned it?

Vandoren doesn't have an email for customer support and their offices seem to be closed until January 4th. I figured someone here might have some information. It'd be a real shame if this is just how they are now. It was perfect before. And if they did... anybody have a B50 circa 2014 they're not using?

Post Edited (2020-12-21 06:03)

Reply To Message | Avail. Forums | Flat View

Newer Topic | Older Topic

Topics