Klarinet Archive - Posting 000930.txt from 1997/11

From: Josh-Boy <joshcole@-----.Edu>
Subj: Re: New Grand Concert Reeds
Date: Tue, 25 Nov 1997 12:07:01 -0500

I have not had the pleasure of trying the Grand Concert reeds. I have
heard many things, but the ONLY reason I did not try them was because of
the Rico name (I have probably missed out by stereotyping the Rico name).
The reason a box of Vandorens only has 1 or 2 playable reeds is the fact
that they all vary in strength. They were designed for this. In a box of
3 1/2's, you will probably get 1 or 2 3.5 reeds. Then, you'll get a 3.1,
3.2, 3.3, 3.4, maybe a couple of 3.6's, a 3.7, and maybe a 3.8 or 3.9.
The reason for this is for those of us who live in ever changing climates
or those who move around a lot. In New Mexico, believe it or not, the
humidity ranges anywhere from 9% to 89%+. In the range of a few weeks,
what was your best reed is now paper. Also, Vandorens are a working reed.
This is a pain to most of us with no time (i.e. music majors or would-be
music majors...). You can get good reeds from an entire box of V12's, but
you have to work the ones that don't play right away.

As far as the Rico GC reeds, how do they compare to Vandoren V12's as
far as strength? I use a 4 or 4 1/2 on a V12: about what would that be
on a Rico GC?

On Tue, 25 Nov 1997, Christian H. Stene wrote:

> I think it would be a mistake to think of Grand Concert reeds as the tipical
> Rico reed (and definately not marching reeds!!!). These reeds are far better
> than most reeds and in my opinion tthey are world class reeds . The
> Vandorens are good reeds, but their consistency in strength and shape are
> not very good. This is why you only find one or two good reeds out of a box
> of ten. I think it had much to do with the 1/4 grading that made the Grand
> Concert reeds incredibly consistent. If you were lucky all five or at least
> four out of the box were good playable reeds. I only fear what will happen
> to the consistency when the 1/4 grading now goes away with the new Grand
> Concert Select reeds.
>
>
> ****************************************
k