[silverstuff]

I'm wondering what the difference in material is between selmer and vandoren mouthpieces. Technically, vandoren mouthpieces are superb, while selmer is notorious for poor quality. But something about selmers make them so flexible and sound so warm. Im used to play selmers, but i was continuously frustrated with the quality when finding a new one, and the overall "fatness" of selmer. I love the playability of vandorens, but i find them lacking core and flexibility. is this due to the materials they are made of? selmers feel like rubber, while vandorens feel like cheap plastic. is there anything thats in between the 2?

 

[Sigmund451]

It is not so much material as it is vastly different chamber designs.

Vandoren quality control is pretty decent. I cannot say the same for modern day Selmer pieces.

 

[EZ]

Vandoren uses very high quality hard rubber. Their finishing process gives a high gloss which makes it look like plastic.

 

[mfry]

They do use different rubber (Vandoren's is harder) and different manufacturing methods (Selmers are machined from rod rubber, Vandorens are transfer molded IIRC), but like Phil said, they're different designs. It's like you're comparing apples and oranges and asking whether they taste different because the apple is red.

 

[Sigmund451]

....I thought red dye #2 made everything taste more like candy

 

[MojoBari]

It's like you're comparing apples and oranges and asking whether they taste different because the apple is red.

I nominate this for quote of the year!