Klarinet Archive - Posting 000490.txt from 2003/10

From: Tom.Henson@-----.com
Subj: RE: [kl] Vandoren 56 Rue Lepic Reeds
Date: Fri, 17 Oct 2003 11:48:48 -0400

Glen,

My experience does not follow yours in some respects, and this may be
indicative that Vandoren has improved quality since they first came out, or
that I got a really good box.

I found that all 10 reeds in the box that I tried were very close to the
same strength grading, more so than a box of Gonzales FOF 3.5 strength.

I also found the fiber in the cane very straight and all the way to the tip.
Easily as good as any other brand of reed that I have tried, including
Gonzales and original Morre's that I have, actually better than the Morre's.

While you did not compare them to Gonzales, you did compare them to Vandoren
V12's. I do not use V12's, so I can not make this same comparison, but take
your word for the accuracy of your statements.

Your comparison was done in July. I don't know when these reeds came out,
but I suspect you had some of the first produced.

Overall, I found that all 10 reeds in my box were very consistent in both
playability and quality of cane. Obviously, some were better than others,
but I would have no problem putting any of these reeds on my setup and
playing a concert and being happy with my sound.

I also have not broken them in yet, so I can not comment on their longevity
or how well they hold their resiliency. I will post a follow up later.

I also am a big believer in not putting all your eggs in one basket, and use
on a regular basis 4-5 different brands of reeds. Whatever works best at the
time I need to play and the setting I am playing in.

Thanks for your comments and your effort to bring this information to the
list.

Tom Henson

Glenn Kantor wrote:

<< Tom...

I wrote a review of the Vandoren 56 Rue Lepic Reeds on the clarinet
bulletin board. My review was impartial - strictly a description and test
of the reeds themselves, not a comparison to another brand (even though my
personal choice of reed is the Gonzalez FOF) This is what I wrote last July:
>>

"Big snip by me"

<< Conclusions:
The inconsistant fiber pattern initially troubled me, and as suspected, many
of the 56 reeds had a short useful life.

Of the reeds that were the most promising, the sound is more compact, and
seemingly one dimensional. I never was able to get the "ring" that previous
V12's or Blue box reeds would often give. I am also a bit tentative about
their projection in a large hall, however I was not able to test them in a
large stage setting.

Thus, as I did not see a vast improvement in the cane quality, but merely a
different cut and profile from previous V12 or Blue box reeds, at this time
I do not think the suggested retail price is justified ...GBK ..."

The entire bulletin board thread can be read here:

http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=121293&t=121293#rep
ly_121293

Glenn Kantor
Principal clarinet - The Sound Symphony http://www.soundsymphony.org >>

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