B45 lyre= or ~ 5RV lyre ?

[FredCDobbs]

I'm relatively new to clarinet. I want to go from a plastic Brilhart 5 to an HR piece, and wonder what, if any, is the difference is between the Vandoren B45 and the Vandoren 5RV. I want something at least as open as the Brilhart 5.

I thought the labeling on sax pieces was confusing! Clarinet pieices reach a whole new level of multi-indexing!

Thanks for any replies.

[bandmommy]

The B45 is a bit more open than the 5RV Lyre, but not as open as your Brilhart.
I have used both and prefer the 5RV Lyre of the two.
BUT... I have a Portnoy 03 that plays circles around either of these. It's more open than the Lyre, is a little more 'reed friendly'/free blowing, and I can push it harder before the sound starts to spread.

If you want a more open piece with LOTS of power, try a Selmer C85-115 or 120.

[FredCDobbs]

Thanks for the info, Bandmommy.

Do you know th comparable tip openings between the Brilhart 5, the Portnoy 03, and the Selmer C85 120? If I can handle to Brilhart 5, will I have any problems with the C85 120? Do you prefer the Portnoy to the Selmer?

By the way, I play mostly jazz.

[bandmommy]

All I have to go by right now is the comparison chart in a WWBW catalogue.
It doesn't list a Brilhart 5 so I can't give an 'exact' measurment.
The Portnoy 03 a 1.22 tip opening which is a medium open with a medium facing.
While the Selmer C85-120 is listed as a 1.14 which is a medium/medium.

The Portnoy is a little richer on my Selmer Signature, so I use that for my regular piece. I'm using it in my embarassing youTube video.
The C85 gives me about the same rich focus, but has a little extra reach.
I usually play on Vandoren Classic 3-3.5 or Mitchell Lurie reeds of the same strength on both.

You shouldn't have any trouble with either of these. If you can get somewhere to try both of these side by side you should be able to feel and hear the slight differences.

I really don't think the mouthpiece really matters where 'style' in concerned. I can go from classical to big band on either of these pieces.
Eddie Daniels uses a 'classical' setup, so I think you know what I'm trying to say.

I try not tell anyone "You have to get this piece". It's best to try a few to see what feels good, and sounds the best on your particular clarinet.
My Buffet is happy with just about anything I put on it, while the Selmer is a bit more fussy.

[Multi Reed]

Trying to make sense of the post - please make sure you are still talking about the B45 lyre as opposed to the B45. They are different.

FWIW, I play a B45 Lyre on my clarinet and preferred it to the 5RV. But, that worked for me. I found the biggest difference that was a determining factor for me was cleaner articulation on the B45 Lyre that I tried and own. I sounded like me on all of the mouthpieces I tried. :D

[MojoBari]

As per the Vandoren 2005 catalog (should be available on their web site):
B45 Lyre = 1.27 mm, B46 = 1.17, B40 and B45 = 1.1195, 5RV Lyre = 1.09, 5JB = 1.47

Vandoren lists 15 models but you wont find a dealer that has more than a few of them.

I own a B46 and a 5JB. Both are well made and they used to be my main players. I could easily go back to them and be happy. But they were edged out by a Selmer C85 120 and a Rico Metalite M9. Selmer MPs can be inconsistent on sax but I do not know about clarinet.

[FredCDobbs]

Thanks everyone for the replies.

I believe the Brilhart is about a 120 (+). Same, I think, as the B45 lyre.

Unfortunately, there's no place around here to try out many mouthpieces--a few Vandorens only. However, I may order the Portnoy 03, the Selmer C85, and the B45 lyre from WWBW and see which I like most, then return the other two. I'm afraid the 5JB may be a little too open for my current chops.

[Nefertiti]

I have a Selmer C85 105 that is great. I haven't found anything I like better on clarinet than this piece.

[FredCDobbs]

Thanks, Steve. I am leaning toward the Selmer C85 120, pending a trial.