TL;DR: Vandoren publishes a tip opening for every Bb clarinet mouthpiece it makes, in hundredths of a millimeter. The closest models (M13, M13 Lyre, M15, 5RV) sit around 100–107, the middle group (5RV Lyre, BD5, M30) around 109–115, and the more open models (B40, B45, B45 Lyre, BD7) around 117–133. Closer tips generally pair with harder reeds and open tips with softer ones. Use the Vandoren clarinet mouthpiece chart below to understand where your current mouthpiece sits, then test alternatives with your own reeds before you buy anything.
Almost every clarinetist has played a Vandoren mouthpiece at some point. The 5RV Lyre, M13 Lyre and B45 are fixtures in band rooms, studios and orchestra sections, and teachers often use them as a shared reference point: “it plays like a 5RV Lyre, but a little more open.” That is useful shorthand, but only if you know what the numbers and names actually mean.
This guide collects Vandoren’s published tip openings and facing lengths into one chart, explains what “Lyre,” “13 Series,” “Profile 88” and “Black Diamond” mean, and shows how to use that information to choose your next mouthpiece or reed strength. It is written for players and for teachers who want a clear reference to share with students.
A quick note on honesty: we make and sell Gleichweit mouthpieces, so we are not a neutral party. The figures below come from Vandoren’s own published specifications and authorized retailers, not from our measurements, and the comments on sound are general tendencies, not verdicts.
Table of Contents
- How to read a mouthpiece chart
- Vandoren clarinet mouthpiece chart (Bb)
- What Lyre, 13 Series, Profile 88 and Black Diamond mean
- The most popular models compared
- Matching reed strength to tip opening
- Why the numbers don’t translate between brands
- How to use the chart to pick your next mouthpiece
- Key Takeaways
- FAQ
- Test before you switch
How to read a mouthpiece chart
A mouthpiece chart usually lists two measurements for each model. Together they describe the “facing,” the curved surface the reed vibrates against.
- Tip opening is the gap between the tip of the reed and the tip of the mouthpiece. Vandoren lists it in hundredths of a millimeter, so “119.5” means about 1.195 mm. A smaller number is a more closed tip; a larger number is a more open one.
- Facing length is how far down the mouthpiece the curve begins to pull away from the reed. Vandoren describes it with letters rather than millimeters: Short, Medium-Short, Medium, Medium-Long and Long.
Neither number tells you everything. The baffle, chamber, tip rail and side rails all shape the sound and response, and two mouthpieces with the same tip opening can feel very different. If any of these terms are new, our clarinet mouthpiece terms guide and facing curves guide explain them in detail.
As a rule of thumb, a closer tip feels more stable and focused and works with a firmer reed. A more open tip gives more flexibility and volume but asks for a softer reed and steadier air. Our tip opening guide goes deeper into how these trade-offs feel in practice.
Vandoren clarinet mouthpiece chart (Bb)
The table below lists Vandoren’s current Bb clarinet mouthpieces in order from most closed to most open. Tip openings are Vandoren’s published figures. Facing lengths are as listed by Vandoren and its retailers. The “Sound tendency” column summarizes how each model is generally described, not a guarantee of how it will sound for you.
| Model | Tip opening (1/100 mm) | Facing length | Sound tendency |
|---|---|---|---|
| M13 | 100.5 | Long | Bright, colorful, quick response; takes firmer reeds |
| M13 Lyre | 102 | Medium-Long | Darker and purer than the M13, easier high register |
| BD2 | 102 | — | Black Diamond line, close tip |
| M15 | 103.5 | Long | Deep, rich and flexible; designed for strong reeds |
| 5RV | 106.5 | Medium-Short | Full, comfortable classic sound |
| 5RV Lyre | 109.1 | Medium | Slightly more open than the 5RV with a longer facing; easy to control |
| BD5 | 113 | Medium | Dark and colorful, with depth and projection |
| M30 Lyre | 113.5 | — | Variation on the M30 |
| M30 | 115 | Long | Balanced and flexible; used in both classical and jazz |
| BD4 | 115.5 | Medium-Long | Similar to BD5, easier blowing and articulation |
| B46 | 117 | Medium | Popular with clarinet and saxophone doublers |
| B40 Lyre | 117.5 | — | Round sound with tone color |
| B40 | 119.5 | Medium-Long | Velvety, compact and centered |
| B45 | 119.5 | Medium-Long | Even and smooth across registers |
| B45 dot | 119.5 | Medium-Long | Larger chamber, fuller and rounder |
| BD6 | 121.5 | — | Black Diamond line, more open |
| B45 Lyre | 127 | Medium-Long | Round and flexible; works with softer reeds |
| BD7 | 133 | Long | Wide dynamic range |
| 5JB | 147 | Long | Very open jazz mouthpiece, large volume |
| 7JB | 170 | — | Very open jazz mouthpiece |
Several models also come in an HD (high-density ebonite) version, such as the BD4 HD, BD5 HD, B40 HD and B40 Lyre HD, with the same published tip openings. Vandoren also makes a JUNO student mouthpiece (J5, 100) and separate lines for German-system, Eb, alto and bass clarinets, which are not covered here.
Pro Tip: Before you compare charts, write down your current mouthpiece, its tip opening and facing, your reed brand and strength, and your ligature. When you test something new, change only one of those things at a time. Otherwise you will never know which change made the difference.
What Lyre, 13 Series, Profile 88 and Black Diamond mean
Vandoren’s model names carry a lot of information, and the same base model often comes in several versions.
Lyre
A lyre symbol on the mouthpiece marks a variant of the base model with a different facing. Usually the Lyre version is slightly more open and has a longer facing, as with the 5RV (106.5) and 5RV Lyre (109.1), or the B45 (119.5) and B45 Lyre (127). The B40 is an exception: the B40 Lyre (117.5) is slightly more closed than the B40 (119.5). Treat each Lyre as its own mouthpiece, not just “the same, but more.”
13 Series
The 13 Series mouthpieces are pitched for A=440, which is the standard in most American orchestras and bands. Vandoren’s traditional models were designed with European pitch, around A=442, in mind. If you play a traditional-series mouthpiece and find yourself pulling out the barrel a long way, a 13 Series version may help, although the barrel and the clarinet itself also play a role. Our guide to clarinet intonation explains how these factors interact.
Profile 88 and Traditional beak
The beak is the outside of the mouthpiece where your top teeth rest. Profile 88 and Traditional beaks differ only in their exterior angle; the facing and sound are designed to be the same. Profile 88 has a more closed angle, which some players find more comfortable and which can change the angle of the clarinet slightly. It is a comfort choice, not a tone choice.
Black Diamond (BD)
The Black Diamond line (BD2, BD4, BD5, BD6, BD7) is a separate family that Vandoren describes as producing a full, deep sound, especially in the upper register. The BD5 is the best known and comes in the 13 Series.
The most popular models compared
Five models come up again and again. Here is how they compare.
| Model | Tip opening | Facing | Often chosen by |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5RV Lyre | 109.1 | Medium | Students and band players; a common “first upgrade” from a stock mouthpiece |
| M13 Lyre | 102 | Medium-Long | Orchestral and chamber players who like firm reeds and a dark, centered sound |
| B45 | 119.5 | Medium-Long | Players who want an even, flexible sound with medium reeds |
| BD5 | 113 | Medium | Players who want a darker sound with projection in the upper register |
| M30 | 115 | Long | Players who switch between classical and lighter styles |
There is no “best” model on this list. A mouthpiece that is perfect for one player’s air, embouchure and reeds can feel stuffy or wild for another. See our guide on how to choose a clarinet mouthpiece for a step-by-step approach.
Matching reed strength to tip opening
The single most useful thing a mouthpiece chart tells you is roughly which reeds will work. The general rule holds across brands: the more open the tip, the softer the reed it needs, and the more closed the tip, the harder the reed it can take. Vandoren’s own guidance notes that tip openings above about 110 are more resistant and call for softer reeds.
| Vandoren tip range | Example models | Typical reed strength |
|---|---|---|
| Close (100–107) | M13, M13 Lyre, M15, 5RV | Firmer reeds, often 3.5–4.5 |
| Medium (109–116) | 5RV Lyre, BD5, M30, BD4 | Medium reeds, often 3–4 |
| Open (117–127) | B40, B45, B46, B45 Lyre | Softer reeds, often 2.5–3.5 |
| Very open (133+) | BD7, 5JB, 7JB | Soft reeds, often 2–3 |
These ranges are starting points, not rules. Reed brands label strength differently, and your air and embouchure matter as much as the mouthpiece. For example, Vandoren lists strengths 3 to 4 in its Traditional reeds as the recommended range for the 5RV Lyre. For a full breakdown by brand and level, see our clarinet reed strength chart.
Pro Tip: If you change mouthpieces and your favorite reeds suddenly feel too hard or too soft, don’t blame the reeds. Try the same box a half strength up or down before judging the new mouthpiece.
Why the numbers don’t translate between brands
Lining up charts from different makers and matching numbers rarely works, for three reasons.
- Measurement methods differ. Makers don’t all measure tip openings the same way or with the same gauges, and independent measurements have sometimes differed noticeably from published figures. A “1.10” from one company and a “1.10” from another may not be the same gap.
- Facing curves differ. Two mouthpieces with identical tip openings but different curves, one long and gradual and one short and steep, will respond very differently to the same reed.
- Interior design differs. Baffle height, chamber size and bore shape change tone color, resistance and intonation more than most players expect.
Use a brand’s chart to understand where a mouthpiece sits within that brand’s line, and use your ears to compare across brands. Our Vandoren vs Gleichweit comparison covers the broader differences between the two makers.
How to use the chart to pick your next mouthpiece
- Find your current position. Look up your current mouthpiece on the chart and note its tip opening, facing and the reed strength you play.
- Name the problem. Be specific. “Upper register is pinched,” “I run out of air in long phrases,” “my sound is too bright in the hall” and “my reeds always feel too soft” all point in different directions.
- Move one step. If you want more flexibility and volume, look one step more open. If you want more stability and focus, or you prefer firmer reeds, look one step more closed. Avoid big jumps.
- Test with your own reeds. Bring three reeds you know well, play the same short excerpts on each mouthpiece, and record yourself. Our guide to testing mouthpieces at home includes a checklist.
- Check tuning. Play long tones with a tuner across all registers. A mouthpiece that sounds beautiful but forces you to pull the barrel far out may not suit your clarinet.
- Give it time. First impressions favor whatever feels familiar. Play the strongest candidates for several days before deciding.
Teachers can use the same steps with students. A student who bites, plays sharp and pinches in the upper register may be on a reed that is too soft for an open mouthpiece, or a mouthpiece that is too open for their stage of development. Our article on the best clarinet mouthpiece for beginners covers student setups in more detail.
Key Takeaways
| Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Reading the chart | Vandoren lists tip openings in 1/100 mm (119.5 = about 1.195 mm) and facing lengths as Short to Long. |
| Three broad groups | Close: M13, M13 Lyre, M15, 5RV. Medium: 5RV Lyre, BD5, M30. Open: B40, B45, B45 Lyre, BD7. |
| Model names | Lyre = different facing; 13 Series = pitched for A=440; Profile 88 = different beak angle only; BD = Black Diamond line. |
| Reeds follow the tip | Close tips take firmer reeds; open tips take softer ones. Recheck reed strength whenever you change mouthpieces. |
| Brands don’t line up | Use each chart within its own brand. Compare across brands by playing, not by numbers. |
| Test before switching | Move one step at a time, test with your own reeds, and check tuning in every register. |
FAQ
What is the tip opening of a Vandoren 5RV Lyre?
Vandoren lists the 5RV Lyre at 109.1 hundredths of a millimeter, or about 1.09 mm, with a medium facing. The standard 5RV is slightly more closed at 106.5.
Is the B45 more open than the 5RV Lyre?
Yes. The B45 is listed at 119.5 with a medium-long facing, noticeably more open than the 5RV Lyre at 109.1. Most players use a softer reed on a B45 than on a 5RV Lyre.
What is the difference between the M13 and the M13 Lyre?
The M13 is listed at 100.5 with a long facing; the M13 Lyre is 102 with a medium-long facing. Both are close-tip mouthpieces in the 13 Series, pitched for A=440. The Lyre is generally described as darker, with an easier high register.
Which Vandoren mouthpiece is best for beginners?
Many teachers start students on a 5RV Lyre or the JUNO student mouthpiece because they are forgiving and work with medium reeds. The right choice still depends on the student; what matters most is a stable, reliable facing and a reed that matches it.
Can I compare a Vandoren tip opening directly with another brand?
Not reliably. Different makers measure differently and use different facing curves and interiors, so the same number can feel quite different. Use the chart to understand the general range, then compare by playing.
Test before you switch
A chart can narrow your search, but only playing can finish it. If you are curious how a different design compares with the Vandoren you play now, the easiest way to find out is to try several mouthpieces side by side, at home, with your own reeds and your own clarinet.
That is what our Gleichweit Test Boxes are for. Each box lets you play a selection of Gleichweit Bb mouthpieces for 7 days for a $40 test fee. Because tip openings aren’t measured the same way across brands, use your Vandoren as a feel reference rather than a number to match:
- If you play a closer setup such as an M13 Lyre or 5RV with firm reeds, a sensible starting point is the Closed-Tip Test Box (1.01–1.20 mm).
- If you like a middle-of-the-road feel with medium reeds, try the Medium-Tip Test Box (1.17–1.24 mm).
- If you prefer a more open, flexible setup with softer reeds, start with the Open-Tip Test Box (1.27–1.40 mm).
- If you aren’t sure where you belong, the Variety Test Box (1.16–1.40 mm) gives you the widest spread to compare.
Our guide on how to prepare for a mouthpiece trial will help you get the most out of the week. Whatever you end up playing, Vandoren or Gleichweit or something else, the goal is the same: a mouthpiece you stop thinking about, so you can think about the music.