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Re: Anyone tried new Vandoren BD7?

Author: Bob Barnhart ★2017
Date: 2020-02-14 22:05

I finally got a BD7 from the Kessler site the other day. Although the facing sounded a bit extreme, I was very curious to see if it might be a companion to my current Backun Arabesque.

My initial response is enthusiastic:

- The BD7 has a bit more resistance than my current mouthpiece--about like the BD5. Although it will play my current reeds (Pilgerstorfer #4) it seems happier with 3 1/2. This would probably equate to a #3 V12.

- Despite the resistance, this mouthpiece still feels free-blowing and very even across all registers and dynamics. I really feel like I can "sing through" this mouthpiece, rather than "blowing into" it.

- It has a nice round sound: broader/darker than my Arabesque. I feel like it does has a nice life to it, but will have to try some recordings to see how they sound (e.g., with respect to resonance, etc.).

- The BD7 does not seem to be associated with a reference pitch (440, 442). On my Yamaha CSGs, like the BD5, it tunes a bit low. A 1mm shorter barrel seems like it will correct this.

- While it may seem extreme, the facing seems well conceived and executed. The tone and response is very even over the entire range of the instrument.

- One oddity: the BD7 does not have the Profile 88 beak. Rather, it's beak seems more like those on the original (old) Vandoren mouthpieces (short/steep). Although I've always played mouthpieces with a longer, more slender beak, I don't even notice this difference when playing the BD7.

The bottom line: it is a really fun mouthpiece to play. It feels secure, dependable, responsive and produces a great sound. It's definitely worth a trial if you can find one.

Bob Barnhart

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