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Reed Friendly Mouthpieces-Fact or Fiction

Author: SecondTry
Date: 2025-06-09 21:16

I play a Vandoren M15.

I won't say I love it, but I will say that *for me* I've yet to come across a better store bought and/or non-professional adjusted mouthpiece, the relatively new Vandoren BD2 a close second. Clearly there are many great vendors out there and they are vast compared to that which I've tried, plus, as we all know, such things are highly personal.

I've also heard people describe it as a reed friendly mouthpiece.

Now, I certainly get that there are un-reed friendly ones out there. Poor quality and craftsmanship lies in abundance within the mouthpiece world.

But is there such a thing as qualities that make a mouthpiece more reed friendly or is it far better described as a personal thing?

TIA

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Re: Reed Friendly Mouthpieces-Fact or Fiction

Author: David H. Kinder
Date: 2025-06-09 22:47

I have to believe it's a personal thing.

I also have an M15 mouthpiece. Just a bit too close of a tip opening for me (kept squeaking with my air pressure), but I have yet to really learn double-lip embouchure where it may really have a place for me.

I have a B45 13-series and that's a bit too open. I have a BD5 HD 13-series and it's just about there.

But I also had my Homage mouthpiece worked on by Tom Ridenour to open it up just a bit... and it is AMAZING! I've increased my reed strength using it... because I can and I'm still blown away!

I'll be experimenting on all of these a bit more eventually, but for now, my refinished Homage mouthpiece is the best!

Ridenour AureA Bb clarinet
Ridenour Homage mouthpiece
Vandoren Optimum Silver ligature (plate 1)
Legere French Cut #4 / #4.25

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Re: Reed Friendly Mouthpieces-Fact or Fiction

Author: SecondTry
Date: 2025-06-09 23:26

David H. Kinder wrote:

> I have to believe it's a personal thing.
>
> I also have an M15 mouthpiece. Just a bit too close of a tip
> opening for me (kept squeaking with my air pressure), but I
> have yet to really learn double-lip embouchure where it may
> really have a place for me.
>
> I have a B45 13-series and that's a bit too open. I have a BD5
> HD 13-series and it's just about there.
>
> But I also had my Homage mouthpiece worked on by Tom Ridenour
> to open it up just a bit... and it is AMAZING! I've increased
> my reed strength using it... because I can and I'm still blown
> away!
>
> I'll be experimenting on all of these a bit more eventually,
> but for now, my refinished Homage mouthpiece is the best!
>

I wonder if your Homage, at least among Vandoren offerings, is closest to the 5RV.

I say this because I understand that Tom modeled the Homage after Harold Wright's Chedeville, and I heard that of the Vandoren lineup, Wright seemed to identify most with the 5RV.

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Re: Reed Friendly Mouthpieces-Fact or Fiction

Author: David H. Kinder
Date: 2025-06-10 01:41

The M15 was slightly more open than the Homage when I first got it. Looking at Vandoren's lineup, it would be closer to the M13 or BD2 - probably M13 is my guess.

Ridenour AureA Bb clarinet
Ridenour Homage mouthpiece
Vandoren Optimum Silver ligature (plate 1)
Legere French Cut #4 / #4.25

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