 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: SecondTry
Date: 2024-08-28 23:06
The last time this came up http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=507487&t=507460 I feel like the topic got a bit derailed.
Anyway, Vandoren seems to be taking its Black Diamond offerings, and one by one making them available with their https://vandoren.fr/en/clarinet-mouthpieces/ High Density ebonite option (scroll down.)
On Amazon for example, an ordinary BD5 mouthpiece sells as of this writing for $137, while the same mouthpiece in Vandoren's high density ebonite material sells for $69 more at $206.
I'm really curious if people can hear the difference (I don't think one mouthpiece is easier to play than the other although I might be wrong about that) between these two offerings, let alone if analysis of the sound of each generates things like greater levels of harmonics, etc., that we tend to associate with a more pleasing clarinet sound.
I also wonder also if this offering is in response for the desire to recreate the rod rubber experience I've heard about that original Chedeville mouthpieces were made of.
Has anyone tried this new offering or otherwise have opinions on its worth?
TIA
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Author: Jimis4klar
Date: 2024-08-29 03:33
Unfortunately, Amazon doesn't ship any of the HD version BDs to my location. I also would like to know If they feel/play like rod rubber pieces compared to normal(molded) hard rubber versions. Too bad Vandoren didn't make the other models in HD like the M15, M13 Lyre, M13, 5RV Lyre and 5RV. I prefer the response of them over any BD and If they would get in HD material, would be very interesting to experiment.
Post Edited (2024-08-29 03:34)
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Author: SecondTry
Date: 2024-08-29 10:57
i felt the same way as you do Jim about the BD offerings compared to my go to: the Vandoren M15, until I tried Vandoren's newest and closest tipped BD offering, the BD2--which isn't (yet?) available in a high density offering.
Still an M15 player, the BD2 is a close second.
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Author: JTJC
Date: 2024-08-29 12:44
From the ones I've seen, the BD mouthpieces are made by CNC. I'm wondering at what point VD will switch their traditional range, B40, 5RV, M13 etc, to CNC, and presumably make their hand finishers redundant. Perhaps it'll be when their old equipment reaches the end of its life, or the hand finishers retire.
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Author: Alexis
Date: 2024-08-30 20:26
My experience has been that the HD mouthpieces are on the whole less flexible in sound than the regular. There is an added resistance which does create ‘ping’ but not in a balanced way. My feeling is that the articulation is less nuanced and tends to sound a bit harsh.
In retrospect, I wonder if it is a fallacy to equate higher density material, which is measurable, with a higher density of sound, which seems much more subjective.
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Author: Jimis4klar
Date: 2024-08-31 11:13
Did you try number 3 reeds on BD6? They might play better giving that It's HD and a bit more open.. On BD5 HD maybe as well..
Post Edited (2024-08-31 11:13)
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Author: ruben
Date: 2024-08-31 11:52
Alexis: -a really good, analytical view. Vandoren-a company that I respect-is basically interested in constantly bringing out new products in order to occupy centre stage and remain there. This seems to be a commun and current business strategy (e.g. Buffet!)
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
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Author: Alexis
Date: 2024-08-31 21:13
Yes, I find it interesting how the BD5 has survived actually.
I know some people don’t like them, but I think in some ways it’s middle of the road enough to allow different players to find different things in it, similar perhaps to a B40.
I didn’t try strength 3 with it - if it doesn’t work with something close to my current set-up (3.5 V21 or maybe V12 as an experiment), then it’s too much adaptation, particularly if I’m playing a lot. I have never found v12’s to work that well on the bd5 for my sound concept but it did seem a bit more suited to the bd6.
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Author: SecondTry
Date: 2024-09-04 02:10
Jimis4klar wrote:
> Unfortunately, Amazon doesn't ship any of the HD version BDs to
> my location. I also would like to know If they feel/play like
> rod rubber pieces compared to normal(molded) hard rubber
> versions. Too bad Vandoren didn't make the other models in HD
> like the M15, M13 Lyre, M13, 5RV Lyre and 5RV. I prefer the
> response of them over any BD and If they would get in HD
> material, would be very interesting to experiment.
>
>
> Post Edited (2024-08-29 03:34)
I disagree with none of this Jim: giving the new mouthpiece material a try would be nice..
...but I do think that I can think of something, I say somewhat cynically and tongue-in-cheek, that might be better, and that's Vandoren showing me some data, be it in the form of spectral analysis of overtones, or projection, or "blind" testing that shows the innovation not simply superior, but worthy of its price differential over the non-HD material.... 
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