 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: golfnclarinet
Date: 2011-10-07 22:55
3.5 is definitely soft.
4.0 is bit stiff.
I tried Vandoren 56 in 3.5, 3.5+ and 4.
Some 3.5 is stiffer than 3.5+, some of 4 is softer than 3.5+.
I gave them up.
I like the sound of reeds in this blue box.
Anyone, please tell me a brand and strength of the reed that matches to what I'm looking for.
for Bb.
Thanks.
P.S. I'm sanding 4.0 reeds little bit now.
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Author: kdk
Date: 2011-10-08 03:25
I don't think Vandoren markets a #3.5+ Traditional (blue box) reed. The 3.5+ is only available in V12 and 56 Rue lepic. If you're having success sanding the #4 Blue Box Vandorens "a little bit," and like the sound they produce, they may be your best bet. It may be that the facing on your mouthpiece or some area of resistance in the chamber or baffle just isn't a perfect match for any of the available strengths right out of the box. If that's the case, you'll have to either look for a different mouthpiece or adjust (sand or clip) reeds that come slightly too hard or too soft.
If you go through a whole box of reeds at any strength that's close to what you need, you'll probably find some that are too hard, some that are too soft and one or two that are just right. Most players prefer to start with a reed that's slightly too stiff and thin specific areas (with sandpaper, rush, a knife, a file the "ATG system", which is sandpaper on a block, etc.) to increase the responsiveness.
Karl
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Author: dtiegs
Date: 2011-10-08 18:52
How is the 56 Rue Lepics compared to the V12's? Do you find them more responsive?
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Author: golfnclarinet
Date: 2011-10-08 19:11
Sorry. I havn't tried V12.
I couldn't find any luck on 56.
Post Edited (2011-10-08 19:13)
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Author: dtiegs
Date: 2011-10-08 19:26
There much better than the blue box... My only disclaimer is that I've been using V12's and nothing else. Trying to become much more adventurous with reeds, but I cannot seem to find the courage to try different brands.
Is anyone willing to suggest brands besides Vandorens?
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Author: kdk
Date: 2011-10-08 19:32
Honestly, it depends on what mouthpiece I'm using and the batch of reeds I'm using at the time. I think in general Rues are meant to be made from thicker blanks than V12s, but in practice it's not always the case. V12s are double (French) cut, which can free the response slightly but also affects the sound in ways that some players don't like. I find both, at various times, very responsive, although comparing the ones I bought this summer, the Rues are crisper in response and clearer sounding. But that isn't consistent with my experience with the reeds I bought last winter. <shrug>
All you can do is try them and, if you like one, stay with it until something changes and you don't anymore, which is the best you can do with any cane reeds on the market.
Sorry I can't be more help. Obviously, synthetics are an alternative which many players like but which, for reasons I've already described in other threads, I'm not comfortable with.
Karl
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