The BEHN™ Factory
Celebrate Resonacne
Behn, LLC, (pronounced BAYN) is a full service company that produces clarinet mouthpieces and accessories for players of all levels and offers refacing and customization services as well. The company was founded in 1992 by Bradford Behn and expanded to Behn Mouthpieces in 2003. Today, Behn, LLC, is owned by Bradford Behn and So Rhee and operates out of Edmond, Oklahoma.
Behn's high-tech 5-axis CNC manufacturing system, authentic reproduction of 1920s "Golden Era" Grade-A Rod Rubber, the 2005 introduction of VINTAGE™ Collection mouthpieces, and revolutionary patented design enhancements—used first in SIGNATURE Collection mouthpieces and now EPIC™ G-Series mouthpieces—attests unbound commitment to the mouthpiece arts.
In 2015, Behn introduced the EVO™ line of clarinet accessories—barrels and bells CNC-machined from BEHN™ Rod Rubber II—and SONO™ and EPIC™ lines of mouthpieces.
Best Rubber – Best Sound
Best Design – Best Sound
Best Craftsmanship – Best Sound
Manufacturing of BEHN™ Mouthpieces and Accessories
BEHN™ manufactures SONO™, EPIC™, AND EVO lines from concept to completion, including the material. To work with the CNC machine, we first develop a detailed computer picture—a so-called 3D "solid model"—of each design we would like to produce. (NOTE: it really isn't "solid" at all, but it is certainly necessary to get there!)
The application we use is industry-leading Solidworks. Although very costly, it is extremely helpful as it provides infinite flexibility and even has the very powerful capablility of examining flow. We can actually see how your air flows through our designs, make adjustments, witness "resistance," and modify as needed! It is a vital part of our production system.
From our solid model, our CNC technician engineer writes the control codes to guide the machines. Simultaneously, the special tools and fixtures needed for our manufacturing process are prepared.
The actual running of the blanks is amazing to watch. The billets are untouched by human hands. The milling bits, reamers and other tools used in the course of manufacture are changed and positioned automatically. The mouthpiece blank is continually flooded with liquid coolant, splashing in all directions, which is why each machine is fully enclosed and observed only through a window. The process looks messy, but it is very precise.
We now have numerous different clarinet mouthpiece designs and accessories in our inventory, each one most readily adaptable to a different tonal character. As produced by CNC machines, BEHN™ super-blanks are playable, but they still benefit from the final handcrafting and facing that adapts their tone to each customer’s preference. They have proven themselves unusually willing recipients of this modification, which allows us the flexibility to achieve your concept without risking your playing comfort.
Other methods of production would be lower in cost, but we prefer CNC manufacturing. Its greater cost is more than offset by its flexibility, greater precision and higher quality.
Since 2005, our manufacturing process has greatly advanced and has become more consistent, sophisticated, and efficient. As we evolve with advances in technology, our process is always changing. Below are some fun video examples of our manufacturing processes over time.
CNC Machining one of our prototypes
Our Concept
The beautiful sounding classic mouthpieces of the past have been highly influential to us. Harold Wright, Robert Marcellus, Daniel Bonade, and Ralph McLane, all sounded beautiful playing exceptional vintage mouthpieces. The artistry of these clarinetists was the source of our inspiration.
Our concept of how a great mouthpiece should sound, react to your input, and respond is our "guiding force." It keeps us on the right path, moves us forward, keeps us questing for something better than ever! BEHN™ was founded on the goal to recreate the extraordinarily beautiful sounds, and ideal playing characteristics of the world's finest vintage "Golden Era" mouthpieces of the past.
What is a great mouthpiece?
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It should celebrate resonance. It should have a sweet and lively sound that is resonant, deep, and beautiful.
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It should combine strength with grace, and depth with focus.
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It should invite you to manipulate color and shape, while always maintaining your sound's tonal center.
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It should invite quick and lively response that is reliable and clear.
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A fine mouthpiece should feel like an extension of your voice. It should freely facilitate your musical concepts into your musical voice.
Old Mouthpieces
It is our belief that the finest mouthpieces of the past were produced in the pre-war "Golden Era" of the 1920s and 1930s. The rubber from which the best examples were made helped produce a sound that was much more complete with overtones. They had a depth, resonance, and focus that cannot as easily be achieved on modern mouthpieces.
Best Rubber, Best Sound
The material from which a mouthpiece is made has great influence over your sound, feel, and response. The center of our mouthpiece concept comes from the material. We believe that with the best hard rubber, you can more easily achieve the best sound.
Best Design, Best Sound
The resonant potential of the hard rubber is only as good as the mouthpiece's design. A great design should work together with the natural resonance characteristics of the hard rubber to ensure a beautiful sound that is easy to produce.
Best Reed, Best Sound
A reed's efficient vibration is very important to achieve the full resonance benefits of our proprietary rubber and designs. In an attempt to produce a beautiful sound, we believe many clarinetists use harder reeds than necessary. We recommend that you try our mouthpieces with a thinner-cut, free, and vibrant reed. You may be pleasantly surprised by the results.
Harold Wright
1926–1993
Robert Marcellus
1928–1996
Daniel Bonade
1896–1976
Ralph McLane
1907–1951
BEHN manufacturing services are available to your business
We custom manufacture mouthpieces for other businesses in the industry, and we offer mouthpiece blanks for sale as well. Just hyperlink to our factory website here: https://www.epic-cnc.com/about-us
Let’s Work Together
Get in touch so we can start working together.
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