 | Vandoren Founder - Eugene Van Doren
The Vandoren Reed and Mouthpiece History
 | Probably one of the most famous reed and mouthpiece manufactuers in the world, Vandoren products are used by professionals and students the world over and are considered to be of the highest standard by clarinettists and saxophonists everywhere.
Is the reed a thing of beauty?
Van Doren started his own cane plantations in the South of France - The Domaine L'Anglade. The type of cane is "Arund Donax" - Music Cane
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The Van Doren "Saga"
Eugene Van Doren | The Vandoren "Saga" began in 1905 with Eugene Van Doren (1873-1940) who, as most players at that time did, made all his reeds by hand. He worked at the Paris Opera House, and the reeds he sculpted were thought be so good (of perfect sonority and pitch) by his colleagues that they were frequently "borrowed"... His project began in the dining room of his house with friend Girardeau and a treadle operated (much like a sewing machine) reed making machine. Lubricated by mutton feet oil, from his makeshift workshop, his first boxes of twelve reeds were sealed with wax. |
Vandoren at 56 Rue Lepic
Eventually the operation outgrew his house and he founded the first factory, at the now famous 56, Rue Lepic. As the business grew, he opened another factory at La Couture Boussey in Normandy for "Perfecta Ebony Mouthpieces" - their slogan - "all our mouthpieces are good" says a lot about their talents. Vandoren products were certainly much in demand. Vandoren was said to be creative, meticulous and organised.
Vandoren Reed Workers - At Work | The Van Doren Factory at 56 Rue Lepic. Vincent Van Gogh and his brother Theo lived at no 54... It looks a little different now - its just had a face lift.
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At 56 Rue Lepic, Van Doren's reed making methods enable to produce far greater quantities - although he had a reputation for getting frustrated at the number of orders he received.
 | | The Making of a reed is now a slightly more advanced process - manufacturing methods have, of course changed hugely in the last 100 years. Each reed now requires one-hundred blade strokes in order to shape it to 1/1000th of a millimetre accuracy. That's why the picture is a little blurred.
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 | The results of many years' research and development at Vandoren - they continue to create new models based on their knowledge, experience and understanding. They still explore new shapes, and materials, in order to propose alternatives in terms of ergonomics, sonority and resistance to wear and tear.
For more information Go to VANDOREN.COM
MANY THANKS TO VANDOREN FOR THIS INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM THEIR SITE AND CD AND CATALOGUE. |
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