 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: beejay
Date: 2003-06-25 18:10
Anyone try the Xilema reeds advertised on this site? If so, what is the difference between the professional, artisan and classic styles, and how does their ABC rate compare with Vandoren blue box?
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Author: GBK
Date: 2003-06-25 19:40
beejay ... About 6 months ago I wrote to Inma Herrera Romero at Xilema requesting to sample a batch of their reeds. They were kind enough to send a generous number of boxes and a personal note thanking me for my interest.
For the most part, the boxes arrived from Spain fine, although one was slightly crushed. The packaging did protect the reeds from damage as the 10 reeds in each box are packed back to back in 5 separate cardboard holders.
I mentioned to them that I normally play Gonzalez FOF 3 1/4 - 3 1/2 (and previously V-12 3 1/2) so I was sent both strength B and strength C to try.
The comparitive strength size runs close to Vandoren blue box or Gonzalez FOF.
Of the 3 different models, the Professional and Classic are both file cut (straight across, then scraped, like Vandoren) while the Artist was single cut.
All three models are based on thin blanks, similar to the Vandoren blue box, and all are slightly shorter in overall length than Vandoren or Gonzalez.
The Professional and Classic seemed fairly similar. I'm sure the actual measurements differ (vamp, shoulder, etc...) but I could not tell with the naked eye. Both models initially produce a pleasing but thin sound. I would assume this to be because of the long scrape with less material in the heart than either Gonzalez or Vandoren V-12. I broke in the reeds in a slow careful process, but found their longevity to be less than either Gonzalez or Vandoren.
The Artist model appealed to me more. Their scrape left more material in the heart, thus there was more to work with. The sound was fuller and with more color. However, they did run a bit stiffer. The B was fine, and the C needed to be slightly worked down. The Artist model had a longer useful life span.
If I had to chose, for orchestral work I would take the Artist model. Both the Professional or Classic might be better suited for popular or jazz settings.
The quality of all the cane was a nice golden color, but a few of the Professional reeds were slightly miscut. Density of fibers varied greatly in all models, but generally the Artist model had more consistant fiber patterns.
I think that further sampling and other player's opinions would be beneficial. Again, I appreciate the generosity of the people at Xilema.
For my needs, Gonzalez FOF are still my preferred reed...GBK
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Author: beejay
Date: 2003-06-26 17:02
Thanks GBK. That was very helpful. Do you know where Gonzalez reeds come from?
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