 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Bob A
Date: 2003-07-02 20:40
OK all you Alto hater's I 'gotcha' now--GBK will protect me. Insult me if you dare! ![[tongue]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie6.gif)
Got an Alto clarinet coming and need info as to reeds. Plan on using a Clark Fobes Alto mpc and a (??) ligature {Undecided as of now}. Heard that Alto Sax reeds work better because:
1. Most Alto Clarinet reeds are Rico's of Vandoren--nuff said
2. Much better selection choice in Alto Sax reeds and they will fit the Fobes mpc.
I could use some experience responses if you are brave enough to admit to playing an Alto Clarinet. Thanks.
Bob A
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2003-07-03 01:13
Am I the 1st unabashed admitter, Bob?? I like wider-open-tip, moderately-long lay mps, have one better than my B44. They generally play well with soft, 2, 2 1/2 reeds, I like the LaVoz med-soft, med for clean chalemeau, seldom need to go above the staff. To each his/her own solution. Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: Mark Pinner
Date: 2003-07-03 01:36
It is funny that you should discount the possibility of using Rico or Vandoren. They are the biggest reed makers in the world with many different choices. Alto sax reeds will work but why not use the ones made specifically for the instrument. You never know, Rico and Vandoren may just have a little expertise in the area. I am not an alto hater, I love the sound especially when somebody else plays them.
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Author: Bob A
Date: 2003-07-03 02:57
Mark, call it a skewed rationale--But:
1. In going down the "reed lists" I noticed that no one other than Rico and Vandoren must have considered an Alto Clarinet to be worth anything more than giving to the 3rd clar to march with in band as a Bass isgenerally considered too heavy. So they have the Alto reed business sewed up as no other reed maker is interested in listing an Alto reed.
2. Many first-rate professional Alto Sax players exist, ergo there is a greater market available for the reed makers to try to dominate. They try harder, they are not the "Yugo" of the reed business as their product is more desirable.
Maybe I do need some of Hans' supplements. I'm starting to sound coherent!
Bob A
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Author: ron b
Date: 2003-07-03 06:16
I play my very own Bundy alto clarinet all the time, Bob. I love it. Listeners like it. What more could I ask?
I use the mouthpiece that came with it and regular Rico alto sax #2 1/2 or 3 reeds and find nothing to complain about. Second only to a real bassett instrument (maybe?), a little beyond my budget at the moment, I think the alto has a lovely sound.
- r![[cool]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/cool.gif) n b -
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Author: tan_mx
Date: 2003-07-03 09:43
I used to play the alto clarinet but somehow I've ended up playing barisax... anyway i've tried using alto sax reeds on the alto clarinet and I don't think it's good... normally I use vandoren 3.5... the alt sx. reed i tried was 3. And I don't like rico.
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Author: ebasta
Date: 2003-07-03 13:01
I believe the alto sax reeds are tuned to Eb, that's why they work well with the alto clarinet.
any other theorys...just ask.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2003-07-03 15:38
I've noticed [by comparison] that some alto sax reeds are a tiny bit wider than alto cl's, so if your mp has been refaced to a wider-open lay, I "feel" the coverage may be improved, but I still am quite precise re: reed location on the mp table. Shakes said, "As You Like It". Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: graham
Date: 2003-07-03 16:26
The alto mouthpiece I had made for my basset horn was said by the maker to be geared up for alto sax reeds, so that is what I use. Paradoxically I use Vandorens on the basset, which is the only instrument of mine on which I use that brand. I tried Javas once but after a while felt they were just too fuzzy for my set up.
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Author: happyamateur
Date: 2003-07-04 00:20
Hi, maybe you should consider asking Clark Fobes whether he's configured his mp to work best with alto clarinet or alto sax reeds. I've got a Hite alto mp and was told that it was designed to be used with the sax reed. I must say that it does play beautifully with the sax reed, much better than with any of the clarinet reeds I've tried (and you're right, there aren't too many of them). In fact it plays MUCH better than the selmer paris mp I bought and tried with both reed types. I will stand up for some of the Rico products, however (Grand Concert Select, Mitchell Lurie Pemium clarinets reeds generally play well for me). I use Hemke alto sax reeds with the Hite and haven't found anything better. I also like the Hemke reeds with my sop. sax so they seem to be doing something right.
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Author: Bob A
Date: 2003-07-05 18:35
Ok Guy's, here the real scoop. Did as "Happy" suggested and e-mailed Clark Fobes asking about what ligature and reed he suggested using with his Nova Alto mouthpiece. He replied, "You need to use a Rovner Alto Clarinet lig with that. I have not found anything else that works as well. The reed I like with that mouthpiece is the standard Van Doren (blue box) alto sax reeds, but you need to narrow them a bit. I use a #2 1/2 on my set up." So there you have it. Thanks Clark.
Bob A
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