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New! Gonzalez "Regular Cut" clarinet reeds - Evaluation, Test and Review

Author: GBK
Date: 2004-02-27 20:30

I was recently given a number of boxes of the new Gonzalez "Regular Cut" clarinet reeds for my testing, evaluation and comments. These reeds, made by Argendonax S.R.L.(Gonzalez reeds of Argentina) were the final prototypes and will be available for sale in the United States in approximately 4 more weeks.

These reeds are based on a thinner blank than the current Gonzalez FOF brand and are meant to be a direct competitor to the Vandoren Blue Box or Mitchel Lurie type reed. It is obvious that Gonzalez reeds, who have had great success with their FOF brand, are now going after the market share of players (professionals as well as amateurs) who prefer a thinner
blank reed.

All reeds tested were prepared in a fairly standard break-in procedure over a few days. No adjustments (knife, sandpaper, rush) were made to any reeds.

Packaging: The reeds come in a plastic shrink wrapped cardboard box and are individually packaged in stiff cardboard holders. There are 10 reeds in a box. The reeds are graded in 1/4 strength sizes.

Design: The reeds (as mentioned above) are built on a thin blank template, with no tapering toward the butt end of the reed. Although I could not measure the blank thickness, it was similar (or perhaps even a bit thicker), than a Vandoren Blue Box blank (2.8mm) The reeds are single cut (one scrape) with a pronounced U shaped cut on the bark - as opposed to a flatter shaped bark cut which the FOF reeds have. The difference in the U shaped scrape is similar to what you would see when comparing a V12 and a Blue Box reeds, although those brands are both file cut type reeds. When compared to an FOF type reed, the tip curve is identical, but the blank does not taper to the butt end, and the reed is slightly longer.

Cane and cut: The "Regular Cut" reeds were noticeably consistant in both their even fiber pattern toward the tip and initial cut. There were not any miscut reeds or mishaped blanks. When looking at the reed from the butt end, all reeds were the same thickness on both sides - none were severely lower on either side. The U shaped cut on the bark starts slightly higher up on the blank than the FOF reed, thus making these reeds particularly friendly to medium facing length mouthpieces.

Play testing: As is common with Gonzalez reeds, these played remarkably well right out of the box. The response was quick, tonguing was effortless and the sound was very vibrant. Due to the thinner blank, I expected the tip to be much weaker than the FOF/ V12 type thick blank reed, but the tip exhibited plenty of resistance. My suspicion is that the tip thickness is the same as an FOF/V12 type reed, and not as thin as a normal Blue Box/Mitchell Lurie type reed. The "Regular Cut" reeds broke in easily and within a few days reached their playability status.

Final thoughts: As was mentioned earlier, Gonzalez is now going after the market share of players who prefer a thinner blank reed, as well as now creating a very high quality consistant reed which students can well afford. I can foresee that this will be a reed that many teachers will recommend for their advancing students as well as being used by serious players who like a quick, responsive and lively reed.

The "Regular Cut" Gonzalez clarinet reeds are projected to be available in the United States at the end of March. The suggested list price of a box of 10 will be $13.

For all bass clarinetists: Gonzalez "Regular Cut" bass clarinet reeds are now in the final stages of design, with a projected target date of this summer for availabilty. Gonzalez is expecting that the arrival of their new bass clarinet reeds will be a highly anticipated event with huge demand world wide.

Disclaimer: All reeds given to me for sample and testing were by professional courtesy. Although I personally use Gonzalez and Mozart reeds, I am not paid by or affiliated with Argendonax S.R.L., Gonzalez reeds, or Davie Cane ...GBK