 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: LeWhite
Date: 2004-12-16 00:25
Hey guys!
I just received my box of Gonzalez FOF 3.25's about 4 days ago. Previously I got 3.75 and they were too hard.
Well, the correct strength makes a MASSIVE difference!
I opened one of the boxes and honestly, not only was there NO reed rejected, but I set aside 3 'practice' reeds and the rest were easily performance-worthy. In fact, yesterday, I practiced an hour on a performance reed, then used it in a 4-hour rehearsal, and then a 3 hour concert that night. It didn't change properties at all that whole time - try THAT with a Vandoren! (Haven't tried it today though - it might have changed since then)
The benefits I found in orchestra were increased projection with the same or less effort than any other reed; easier blending; a more focussed sound and I think that that made spotting intonation problems easier. Articulation is easier and crisper.
The only bad thing I can say is that initally they seem a little 'bright' in sound but in the concert hall last night that wasn't the case.
What setup is everyone using with these reeds? I'm on a Greg Smith with a Bonade inverted lig.
Thanks to the makers of Gonzalez - you've made my month! And thanks to The Doc for sending them out to me!
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Don't hate me because I play Leblanc! ![[down]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smiley23.gif) Buffet
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Author: bob49t
Date: 2004-12-16 00:50
GBK and a few more of us will be pleased you've tried FOF's.
I've found they do alter in time. Set them aside after "running them in" as this really pays off.
Minor adjustment with ATG system keeps 'em happy too.
And have a Reedy Good Christmas.
BobT
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Author: rc_clarinetlady
Date: 2004-12-16 05:14
I play the Gonzalez FOF's in a 3 3/4 strength and love them. I got them from the Doctor about 6 weeks ago and have used every reed in the box. I'm hoping for more of them for Christmas!
They are so much more consistant than the Vandorens but they do seem to be slightly brighter at first. My experience is that they become warmer with the next few playings and then settle in quite nicely. I really like their sound and they articulate just fantastic. You have to have them balanced well and I like to use the ATG system to do that. It's quick and it works.
I play a new Lomax Elite A1G mpc ; Rovner dark lig ; and Buffet R-13.
Rebecca
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Author: LeWhite
Date: 2004-12-16 08:35
rc - Yes that's what I'm finding - they actually 'dampen' nicely over time!
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Don't hate me because I play Leblanc! Buffet
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Author: Dmitri
Date: 2004-12-16 12:41
I like the reeds, but find that I cannot get the projection I am looking for when playing in an orchestra. I still have a couple of boxes around, but use them mainly to practice on. I have tried many reeds over the course of time, and seem to always come back to the Vandoren V12s. I will agree though that they are great reeds, but they just do not work for what I want.
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Author: mkybrain
Date: 2004-12-16 12:45
wait, so LeWhite, did u properly break them in or did u just play on them a lot initially and they worked jsut fine. I remember the first time i ordered a box and i played on them a little too long and i even adjusted them within the FIRST hour of playing them and the next day they were all gone to hell. I know a lot more about the process now all b/c of this board and Phil Shapiro.
I just recieved the ATG system and am carefully reading it all at the moment. Hopefully that will make my reeds play even better.
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Author: jez
Date: 2004-12-16 12:53
To make them seem even more reliable, you could try my system;
I regularly use 4 mouthpieces all with slightly different tip-openings (120, 122, 125, 128) I take a reed and try it on each mp to see which suits it, then for final 'adjustment' choose a ligature to brighten or darken the sound as necessary. These range from Fox through Spriggs, Luyben, FF, Rovner to Winslow. (light to dark)
With all this choice I have virtually no reed failures.
My only wish is that Gonzalez should start making reeds for the E flat.
"resonare fibris"
jez
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Author: GBK
Date: 2004-12-16 13:02
Dmitri wrote:
> I like the reeds, but find that I cannot get the projection
> I am looking for when playing in an orchestra
Assuming your reed is already balanced, try either or both of these simple adjustments to increase projection and depth of sound:
1. Remove a very small amount of material in the center of the area above the heart and below the tip.
2. Remove a very small amount of material on the lower right side of the reed just above the initial scribe mark.
The second adjustment also compensates for the tendency of the clarinet to twist slightly the left side from being held by the right thumb...GBK
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Author: rc_clarinetlady
Date: 2004-12-16 13:14
FWIW:
I still break in my reeds rather slowly. I've found that if I do then they last longer and just have a nicer sound. The Gonzalez play better out of the box for me but I resist the urge to just sit and play them for an extended amount of time at first. I rotate them in my Vandoren reed case that holds 8 reeds.
Jez, what is the purpose of the playing on the four different mpc's? Do you play all those mpc's? I only use one for my concerts so I want my reeds to fit that particuar mpc. If I'm missing something here please fill me in. Same thing with all the ligs. Do you switch mpc's and ligs around to fit your reeds ........or switch reeds around to fit your mpc?
Rebecca
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Author: GBK
Date: 2004-12-16 13:17
rc_clarinetlady wrote:
> The
> Gonzalez play better out of the box for me but I resist the
> urge to just sit and play them for an extended amount of time
> at first.
A slow break-in process is prudent advice for all reeds ...GBK
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Author: DavieCane01
Date: 2004-12-16 14:07
Here's my thoughts on this...
Players who are new to Gonzalez reeds are frequently surprised by how much these reeds vibrate. When I was first exposed to these reeds, via the initial prototypes, I thought they were brighter as well. I realised that I was mistaking intensity and sheer quantity of vibration for brightness. When I finally got the chance to have someone else play my equipment while I listened I got the picture.
Oh, and while I can't commit to a date, Eb reeds are on the way.
-Phil
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Author: joeclarinet
Date: 2004-12-16 15:13
GBK is right, you shouldn't play a new reed for too long as it will get watersoaked and dry unevenly (warp).
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Author: William
Date: 2004-12-16 16:01
As for switching mpcs, I always like to recall that the great Charles Niedich, who when experiancing reed problems during a local university clinic, opted to switch his mouthpiece (he carries two in his case) rather than try a different reed. After the switch, his comment was, "that's more like it"--however, I really didn't hear any change. And, BTW, he carried his reed in the single manufacturers plastic reed sleeve, in his coat pocket. No fancy dancy hydronic multi reed reed case for him. Just popped it in his mouth for a few moments and put it on the mouthpiece and played flawlessly.
And--speaking of reeds--the same for John Bruce Yeh, Chicago Symphony Associate Principal Clarinet (extrodinaire, IMHO) During an 8AM clinic presentation for Chicago's Mid West Band and Orchestra Clinic, he simply pulled a reed out of his sport coat pocket, moistened it in his mouth for a few moments and played a virtuosic rendition of (in spite of no warmup) Stavinskis "Three Pieces" on his A & Bb Yamahas. When I asked him about his reed selection process afterwards, his reply was simply, "I just got lucky". BTW, his clinic presentation was sponsered by Rico reeds and he did mention that he was using Grande Concerts that AM.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-12-16 16:39
I also primarily use a Greg Smith. I emailed Greg (and spoke with him throughout the purchasing pocess) who informed me that although he himself uses Vadoren 3.5's, he says that many people have had good luck with Gonzalez reeds on his mouthpieces.
I use 3.75 (however I DO use a more "closed" tip, the 1*, as well as adjust any that seem to need it, thereby making them a little softer).
Thanks for the advice GBK. At a 'semi-audition' for a local university I would be going to (just so she could figure out my ability and where to place me in the clarinet choir), her one gripe during that audition was that I wasn't projecting enough. Now maybe I can fix that!
And finally, as to the masterclasses where a reed was pulled out of a pocket, keep in mind that this is just the reed (or one of reeds) that they intended to use for the class. They MAY have a, as you call it, "dancy hydronic multi reed reed case" in their bag and just picked out the ones they thought were the best for that day ahead of time. The clarinet professor at my current college does that (picks out the four that he thinks he'll use if he has to switch for some reason, and places them in a LaVoz case in his pocket). It elimates the bulk and hassle if they are preselected.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: CJB
Date: 2004-12-16 18:31
Excellent news that an Eb reed is in the pipeline. Lets hope sooner rather than later.
I've been really impressed with the 2 Gonzalez RC reeds I've tried so far, I picked one out to play when playing a solo back in late Oct when suffering from a severe (3 day in bed after concert) cold. The effortless response was a life saver.
I'm also impressed at how sympathetic they are to poor playing conditions, that same reed played equally well outside in low temperatures last week as last night in a hall I regularly have problems with reed selection.
With reeds lasting this long I think my bank account is falling for them as well.
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Author: bob49t
Date: 2004-12-16 21:13
Good news re Eb reeds, but before they come, try taking the butt off an FOF sop reed - works remarkably well and certainly better than some other dedicated Eb reeds.
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Author: LeWhite
Date: 2004-12-16 21:37
I'm very surprised that people are having projection problems with them, because they make a lot of sound! I don't think that I've ever gotten the most out of my clarinets until now!
In fact I played in the Melbourne Concert Hall on Wednesday night and the whole woodwind section was telling me to keep it down! It's great when you heard your own tone bounce back to you in a hall; you know it's reached the audience's ears quite nicely!
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Don't hate me because I play Leblanc! Buffet
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Author: jez
Date: 2004-12-17 11:56
rc cl. lady
I use all 4 mouthpieces equally. The great advantage is that if a reed feels not quite how I want on one it's quite likely to be perfect on another.
I, also am one of those people who doesn't like to swap over the mp. when changing from B flat to A, so I need 2 at least. I also think that reeds last longer if you don't blow them too long at a time, so I might swap mps. or reeds between pieces.
Another advantage is that I'm not too accustomed to 1 mp. I'm scared of having my teacher's problem; he played 1 mp for years till it was burned up in a car crash! He never found another to suit.
Can't wait to try the E flat reeds
jez
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Author: Clare
Date: 2004-12-17 20:43
Haven't tried the FOFs I'm afraid but am a real convert to the RCs.
Not only are they great to play with but they're also cheaper than Vandoren's - even before you factor in the higher proportion of playable reeds per box.
Roll on the Eb ones....
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Author: vintschevski
Date: 2004-12-19 10:01
I'd like to ask LeWhite - and, of course, anybody else who might like to comment - whether s/he could suggest how the Gonzalez FOF reeds compare in stiffness/strength with other brands: is the Gonzalez FOF 3.25 about the same as, for example, a Vandoren V12 3.5?
I know that there are tables on various sites with such comparisons, but I'd prefer to hear about individuals' experiences with their reeds. What do you reckon, folks?
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Author: LeWhite
Date: 2004-12-19 10:47
Yep, the 3.25 is equal to the V12 3.5 for me, however it's been about a fortnight and some are starting to free up a little more than I'd like them to.
__________________
Don't hate me because I play Leblanc! Buffet
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Author: vintschevski
Date: 2004-12-19 11:15
When I initially moved from V12 3.5s to V12 4s, I tried Gonzalez FOF 3.75s and found them too hard. I've been playing the V12 4s and Pete Fountain 3.5s for a while, and the Gonzalez 3.75s play rather nicely for me now - I find them just a tad less stiff than Marca 3.5s (which seem stiffer than the Pete Fountain 3.5s even though Marca make the PFs).
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