 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: meli432
Date: 2011-12-02 09:31
I need help choosing a new reed.
I play in a band, and in our band what is most is important is volume. We clarinetists have to be as loud as trumpets. Currently I use a Vandoren 56 Rue Lepic size 3, and they are great. However, I want a reed that will last longer, and since December is when we are most active, a synthetic reed sounds the most convenient for me, plus I also want to try one since I've always used wood.
So far I've been looking into the Legere reeds, however, I can't tell the difference between their standard cut, Ontario cut, Quebec cut, and Signature cut. I've also been looking into Fibracell and Bari Synthetics, but I have no idea how they sound at all. Again, volume is the most important and second important is having a nice sound for those solos. I also double on a soprano-sax, though I don't know if that matters in choosing a reed, since switching isn't usually an issue. Can you guys please give me a general idea of what the difference between all those synthetic reeds are? Especially the difference between the Legere reeds. Which of those synthetic reeds would you recommend for someone like me, and which strength size? Thanks in advance.
Note: I don't know if this matters, but I use a Beechler Tonalex 10S mouthpiece.
Post Edited (2011-12-02 09:39)
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Author: Barry Vincent
Date: 2011-12-02 09:45
Forestone,in the resistance range of 3.0 to 5.0 depending on the mouthpiece that is being used.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2011-12-02 10:09
Avoid the Bari and FibraCell. They are thin and obnoxious sounding for Bb soprano (Bass clarinet is a different story for FibraCell).
I use the standard Legere at 1/4 strength under the 56 strength so for you a strength 2.75 Legere should be the ticket. Oh and you need to change them out every two or three months if you play on them a lot. I just use them for times when the humidity (lack thereof) plays havoc with the reeds.
...............Paul Aviles
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2011-12-02 11:18
I've tried Forestone, Legere and Fibracell. My personal experience is that Fibracell do not work for me. I find them harsh and shrill. I've been able to improve them with a bit of scraping and sanding, but not enough to even consider using them. Forestone work well, although it can be something of an ordeal getting the right strength for you. Personally, I now use Legere. The Standard Cut and the Signature Cut both work just fine, I haven't tried their other cuts, they're just not available where I live. If you select one about a quarter strength lower than your Vandoren reed you'll be about right. I'm getting 6 months plus out of them.
Tony F.
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2011-12-02 16:19
I have no current Bari or Legere reeds, but went through the process of picking out a Forestone last year and found them to be really, really soft for their grading numbers.
I was playing a Vandoren V12 3-1/2 and found it necessary to go to a 4-1/2 or 5 Forestone.
I generally liked the Forestone once I settled on a size, but have reverted to cane because the 'stone seems to be missing something from my sound quality. (I do keep a set of them in my case --for those nasty days when no cane reed seems to work well.)
Bob Phillips
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Author: Wally
Date: 2011-12-02 17:19
I went from V12s #3 to Forestone #4 and I'm delighted with them. They are about a grade softer than their number would suggest, compared to VanDoren. I tried the Legere Signature before the Forestone and found them good, but not nearly as cane-like in feel and sound as the Forestone.
Wally
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2011-12-02 17:34
Maybe 'meli432' is using 56s because they work best for him. They work GREAT on mouthpieces with long lays.
................Paul Aviles
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2011-12-02 18:43
It depends on the mouthpiece you are using, which reeds will work well. With both my Grabner K13 and my Greg Smith Chedeville style, I had excellent results with Legere Quebec cuts and Signatures, at about a 3 1/2 strength. I have also used Forestones with great results. I don't at all like the original cut Legere, and have never tried the Ontario. The Signatures are great, but more expensive. Might be a better idea to start with a Quebec and see how you like them.
It might be a good idea to contact the mouthpiece maker for a recommendation as to a good type and starting point on strengths. I am not familiar with the mouthpiece you are using, so I can't discuss that part of it intelligently.
Jeff
“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010
"A drummer is a musician's best friend."
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Author: William
Date: 2011-12-03 18:20
I use Forestone F4.5s on my Chicago Kaspar #14 and have no trouble projecting my sound to the back rows when needed. They have been running soft, but I have been told that they will be soon introducing a revised grading system more compatable to the popular cane brands. If the reeds you do have initially play "too soft', remember that they can be clipped. Just be careful to take off only the smallest sliver possible--a little clip goes a long ways. They can also be scraped just like cane reeds if you think it is needed. Personally, I've not had to do very much scraping as Forestones come well balanced for my mouthpieces. With the relative correct strength and a strong, well formed embouchure, projection has never been a problem with my Forestones. I also use them with all of my saxophones and bass clarinet. FWIW, I will be playing a Forestone F2 on my alto Selmer "Jazz" C** for a gig this evening--great sound and projection for solos.
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Author: Arnoldstang
Date: 2011-12-04 01:17
Your mouthpiece is probably a powerhouse. Try a fibracell medium. It should be great.
Freelance woodwind performer
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