Klarinet Archive - Posting 000257.txt from 1997/02

From: "David C. Blumberg" <reedman@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: Vandoren V12 vs Zonda vs Grand Concert
Date: Sat, 8 Feb 1997 23:16:55 -0500

I will second Stan Geidel's comments:
I have used the Grand Concert Thick Blank for the past 2 years ever since I
tried them in Belgium. I am very impressed with them. I try the V-12's from
time to time, and still go back to the Grand Concert's

At 12:50 PM 2/8/97 -0500, Stan Geidel wrote:
>Friends,
>
>I've played Vandoren V12 no. 4 reeds for quite a long time now, but in the
>past year or so I've become somewhat unhappy with the consistency of these
>reeds. So, I decided to try a couple of the reeds that have gotten a lot of
>attention of late: the Zonda reeds and the Grand Concert thick cut reeds.
>For anyone interested in the results of my trial...
>
>Despite all their positive press, I was disappointed in the Zonda reeds. I
>found them to be lacking in clarity of sound and consequently in the ability
>to project. I experienced these problems in both staccato and legato
>playing, at all dynamic levels. If I try them again, I will perhaps try a
>somewhat lighter strength; I tried no. 4's, same as I am accostomed to in
>the V12's. That may or may not mitigate the problem of clarity and
>projection.
>
>The Grand Concert (thick cut) reeds were very impressive. Quite unlike the
>Zonda reeds, they were very responsive and produced a free, clear tone which
>projected without any undue effort. These excellent results were present
>over the entire range of the instrument at all dynamic levels, in both
>legato and staccato passages.
>
>The above is of course only one person's reaction on a limited sample of
>reeds; a first impression, if you will. I offer it to you only as
>information for your review. But, if you are looking for an alternative to
>the V12's I strongly suggest you take a look at the Grand Concert reeds.
>
>Best wishes,
>Stan Geidel
>---------------------------------------
> Dr. Stan Geidel
> Editor, The Online Clarinet Resource
> Articles, Reviews, Lessons, More!
> http://sneezy.mika.com/ocr
>
>
David C. Blumberg
reedman@-----.com
Principal Clarinet Riverside Symphonia
Adjunct Woodwind Instructor Univ. of Penn,. Bryn Mawr College
Foundation of Arts and Musical Excellence Summer Music Festival (FAME)