Brad Behn vs Vandoren BD4: The Overtone Difference That Changed My Sound

After years of playing the Vandoren BD4, I made the switch to a Brad Behn handmade mouthpiece over a year ago. The difference? A complete transformation in my tonal spectrum that I can now prove scientifically.

The Sound That Started It All

The Vandoren BD4 is a terrific mouthpiece. Dark, beautiful, and reliable—I played it happily for years. It gave me exactly what I thought I wanted: a rich, mellow tone that felt comfortable and consistent.

But then Brad Behn handed me one of his mouthpieces with a simple suggestion: "Try this. I think you're going to like it."

He was right.

I made a YouTube video about this.

What Makes the Difference?

The Brad Behn mouthpiece (from his Vintage Line - Dark model) gave me something I'd been searching for without even knowing it: a full complement of overtones with both the ring I wanted AND the darkness I loved.

Here's what I discovered:

The Vandoren BD4 produces a very dark, very mellow sound with fewer high overtones. It's beautiful, warm, and smooth.

The Brad Behn Dark maintains that richness and depth but adds more high overtones, creating a more fully balanced sound with life and ring that cuts through without losing warmth.

The Science: Overtone Analysis

I didn't just trust my ears—I put both mouthpieces through overtone analysis using the Tonal Energy Tuner. The results confirmed exactly what I was hearing:

• The BD4 showed strong presence in the middle and low frequencies with limited high overtone activity
• The Brad Behn displayed a more complete overtone spectrum, with significant high frequencies alongside the rich lows and mids

This fuller overtone complement is what gives the Behn mouthpiece that "ring" I'd been chasing—the traditional brightness of a more open setup, but without sacrificing the darker, more resonant core tone.

Mass Production vs. Handmade: Understanding the Real Differences

Let's be honest about what these different production methods mean.

Vandoren: The Mass-Produced Marvel

Vandoren does something truly remarkable: they produce quality clarinet products at incredibly reasonable prices. Their consistency and reliability across mass production is impressive, and I have zero regrets about the years I spent playing their mouthpieces.

What you get:

• Excellent quality control through advanced manufacturing
• Consistent results batch to batch
• Affordability that makes professional equipment accessible
• Reliable performance you can order with confidence

Brad Behn: The Craftsman's Approach

Brad isn't a manufacturer—he's a maker. And there's a fundamental difference.

What you get:

• Complete control from raw material to finished product (Brad makes his own rubber and blanks)
• Hours of individual attention on each mouthpiece
• A lifetime of research and development built into every piece
• Direct access to the maker for consultation and customization
• Mouthpieces designed to capture the tonal characteristics of vintage instruments

Brad's pursuit of recreating the sound of old Chedeville mouthpieces led him to develop his own rubber compounds. While many claimed it couldn't be done, Brad took matters into his own hands and proved them wrong.

Price and Value: What Are You Actually Paying For?

Let's address the elephant in the room: Brad Behn mouthpieces are expensive.

But here's what that price reflects:

1. Individual craftsmanship - Hours spent on your specific mouthpiece
2. Material development - Custom rubber formulations developed over years
3. Complete tonal spectrum - Attention to facing curve, opening, and chamber that creates that full overtone range
4. Personal consultation - Direct access to the maker's expertise
5. Lifetime of R&D - Decades of research distilled into each piece

The Prescott Dark (Brad's mid-priced option) offers a more accessible entry point while maintaining the handmade quality.

Who Should Consider Each Type?

Choose a Vandoren BD4 (or similar mass-produced mouthpiece) if you:

• Are building your foundational skills and developing your sound concept
• Value consistency and want to order with confidence
• Appreciate the dark, mellow tonal quality
• Want excellent quality at a more accessible price point
• Prefer to try mouthpieces at your local music store

Consider a Brad Behn (or similar handmade mouthpiece) if you:

• Have cultivated your playing and know your sound concept
• Feel stuck on a plateau and need to open new possibilities
• Want the ring and projection of a brighter setup with dark warmth
• Value the full overtone spectrum in your tone
• Are ready to invest in equipment that matches your advanced technique
• Want personal consultation from a maker who understands your goals

Making the Switch: My Personal Journey

I wasn't actively looking to change mouthpieces when Brad handed me this piece. Sometimes the right equipment finds you more than you find it.

What convinced me wasn't marketing or hype—it was hearing (and seeing via spectral analysis) that this mouthpiece could give me something I'd been missing: the traditional ring and brightness that projects, combined with the dark warmth I love.

For the first time, I wasn't compromising between two sound ideals. I could have both.

How to Explore Your Options

If you're interested in a Vandoren mouthpiece:

• Visit your local music store to try multiple facings
• Order online with confidence—the consistency is excellent
• Start with what resonates with your current sound concept

If you're considering a Brad Behn mouthpiece:

• Contact Brad directly through his website
• Tell him what you currently play, your challenges, and your goals
• Don't hesitate to ask questions—he genuinely wants to help you find your sound
• If possible, meet him at a clinic or convention for a personal consultation

The Bottom Line

Both mouthpieces are excellent. Both have served me well. The Vandoren BD4 is a fantastic mouthpiece that I would still be happily playing if I hadn't discovered the Brad Behn.

But the Brad Behn gives me something truly special: the full complement of overtones, the ring I want, and the darkness I love—all in one mouthpiece.

That's not something I'd experienced before, and it's completely transformed my playing.

Your Turn

What mouthpiece do you play? Have you explored handmade options? Are you considering an upgrade but unsure about the investment?

I'd love to hear about your mouthpiece journey in the comments below.

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Disclaimer: I am not sponsored by Brad Behn or Vandoren. These opinions are based on my personal experience and testing. Amazon links are affiliate links that support the channel.