Vandoren
History
File:Vandoren Paris.jpg Vandoren, which began in 1905, is now one of the most popular makers of mouthpieces and reeds for clarinet and saxophone. Began by Eugene Van Doren, a clarinetist for the Paris Opera, the company did not start really growing until his son, Robert Van Doren took over the business in 1935. In 1967, Bernard Van Doren, grandson of Eugene, took over the company. During this time period, the company started making its most famous mouthpiece for clarinet, the B45. Still today, Vandoren continues to be a prominent manufacturer of reeds and mouthpices. [[1]]
Mouthpieces
Clarinet mouthpieces
One of the most famous and popular makers of clarinet mouthpieces, currently, Vandoren mouthpieces are only made of hard rubber; the crystal mouthpieces have been discontinued. Vandoren clarinet mouthpieces range from being relatively closed, such as the 5RV mouthpiece, to being relatively open, such as the B45 mouthpiece. Additionally, Vandoren makes separate mouthpieces specifically in the German and Austrian style. [[2]]
Recently (as of February 2006), Vandoren has started manufacturing the B40 Lyre mouthpiece. This new mouthpiece is medium open, with a tip opening of 1.175 mm. [[3]]
Saxophone mouthpieces
Like Vandoren's clarinet mouthpieces, Vandoren's saxophone mouthpieces are also world renowned. Also like Vanodren clarinet mouthpieces, Vandoren saxophone mouthpieces are also made of hard rubber. [[4]]
Reeds
Clarinet reeds
Like its mouthpieces, Vandoren's reeds are among the world famous. Clarinet reeds by Vandoren come in a variety of styles and filed or unfiled.
Traditional reeds
The oldest and most popular type of Vandoren clarinet reeds, Traditional reeds are the basic reed offered by Vandoren, in addition to being the most widely played reed in the professional world. [[5]] Coming in sizes from 1/2 to 5, all sizes of Traditional reeds have have a .09 mm thickness at the tip and a thickness of 2.8 mm at the heel. Traditional reeds come in a blue box. [[6]]
V12 reeds
More expensive that the Traditional Reeds, Vandoren V12 reeds are different than Traditional reeds in that they are produced from thicker cane that is used to make saxophone reeds. At the tip, V12 reeds have a thickness of .10 mm and at the heel, they have a thickness of 3.15 mm. This is equal to .124 inches, which is where the name V12 comes from. The V12 reeds come in strengths from 2 1/2 to 5. These strengths don't correspond to those of Vandoren Traditional reeds, with a strength 4 V12 equalling a strength 3 1/2 Traditional in hardness. V12 reeds come in a grey box. [[7]]
56 rue Lepic reeds
The most expensive type of Vandoren reeds, the 56 rue Lepic reeds are named after the address of the Vandoren central offices on 56 rue Lepic Street, Paris. 56 rue Lepic reeds differ from the other two types of Vandoren reeds in that they come from the thickest cane. At the tip, 56 rue Lepic reeds have a thickness of .11 mm and at the heel, they have a thickness of 3.25 mm. [[8]]