 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: theclarinetist
Date: 2004-05-13 15:16
Hey,
I'm currently very irritated with Vandoren V12 reeds, as the last several boxes have contain mostly duds. I'm seriously looking into switching to a different brand. I've looked in the past, but the reeds I order are never the right strength (even though I use a comparison chart). Unfortunately, I can't afford to keep ordering boxes that I end up throwing away or giving to someone else because they strength is wrong...
Another problem I have with vandoren reeds is that I need a strength somewhere between a 4.5 and 4. In a box of 4.5s I get about 3 that play the way I want, and the rest are usually too hard and take way to long to break in (if they are capable of being played at all). 4s, on the other hand, are quickly playable, but they usually have a thinning, more brittle tone and become too soft in a few days. I wish I could find a reed that would give me the fullness, control, and darker tone of a good 4.5, but with the greater ease of a 4 (I've found some 4.5s like this, but they're rare). I play on a Chedville... I'm not sure what the opening, facing, etc are, but I know it's pretty closed.
Anyway, my question is... From you experience, what is a good brand of reeds that will be more consistent and (hopefully) have the ideal characteristics listed above (wishful thinking, I realize). I also need to know what strength of that reed would be equivalent to somewhere between a V12 4 and 4.5 (again, I've found that reed charts usually don't give me the right strength, so I'm hoping some of your personal experiences will give more accurate info).
Thanks,
Don Hite
theclarinetist@yahoo.com
PS - I realize that this type of question is done to death... sorry
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Clarinetist
Date: 2004-05-13 16:09
Hi the clarinetist!
why don´t you try to file your reed a little bit with a reed knife? It has worked for me, so I recommend that you try it. But don´t file too much so the reed won´t come too soft.
I think you should try that first and then if your reeds continue to come bad, then you should consider different reed brand.
Good luck!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: EEBaum
Date: 2004-05-13 17:59
Try one (or more) of the following...
Open your box of V12s and just let it sit for six months to a year. I've had quite good results aging mine.
Buy a box of Gonzalez FOF size 4 (perhaps even 3.75)
Buy a reed adjustment book, as have been often discussed here
Buy a box of V12 size 3 1/2
If you're really in the market to try a bunch of different reeds, pick up a box of the Vandoren Rue Lepic 56, size 4.5
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: GBK
Date: 2004-05-13 18:00
Gonzalez FOF and Gonzalez Regular Cut reeds both come in ¼ size strengths.
There is a single reed strength comparison chart on the Davie Cane web site.
If Gonzalez reeds interest you, perhaps you could speak to Phil Shapiro and ask if it is possible from him to make up a box of assorted strengths so you can zero in on the correct size for your set-up...GBK
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: mw
Date: 2004-05-13 18:27
GBK said:
"If Gonzalez reeds interest you, perhaps you could speak to Phil Shapiro and ask if it is possible from him to make up a box of assorted strengths so you can zero in on the correct size for your set-up..."
----------------------------
... that's a wonderful idea!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ed
Date: 2004-05-13 18:52
You might also consider the traditional Vandorens. I often have better luck with these. I find them to have better longevity and more resiliance than the V12.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: GBK
Date: 2004-05-14 02:27
theclarinetist wrote:
> How would I get in contact with Phil Shapiro?
His contact information is on the Davie Cane web site ...GBK
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2004-05-14 02:31
Before you make a reed change, I wonder if it may be time to have your mouthpiece measured? Minute alignment problems could account for the difficulties you 'face'...
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: poopsie
Date: 2004-05-14 02:38
I suggest that you try the vandoren 56 reeds. About every time I have bought this kind of reed I have been pleased with the amount of playable reeds the box produces. This, of course, does not come about by merely opening the reeds and having a perfect reed. I usually have to shave down the reed using sand paper (very fine) and a reed knife.
Hope this did some good!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: D Dow
Date: 2004-05-14 13:06
Dear Don
I suspect if you are using a Chedeville you may have to do a bit more adjustment to the reeds to get them to work. Expecting every reed to play perfectly is just not gonna happen. I would also check the mouthpiece to make sure the rails and table are in correct alignment...older mouthpieces have a tendency to warm after a period of time....
David Dow
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: theclarinetist
Date: 2004-05-14 13:50
I did notice that after switching to the Chedville (my previous mouthpiece was a Raffault?? Pronounced rahfoh, I think... not sure about the spelling). The chedville has a better sound, better intonation, etc, but I have found that I have more trouble finding reeds that are good (and this problem has gotten worse lately). When I have a good reed, it's fantastic... it's just a matter of finding one.
I bought the mouthpiece from my current teacher, so I'm sure he will help me check it out to make sure nothing is wrong with it. Thanks for the good advice.
DH
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Sartre Heidegger
Date: 2004-05-15 03:31
I prefer 5+ V12s but I see that you dont like V12s.
On the regard of choosing the reed strength, it all depends on the mouthpiece and preference.
On the regard of brands, I suggest Grand Concert Evolution.
I have played on them for about a year before switching to V12s.
I prefer V12s however GCs lasts a long time. Also, i can usually find about 7/8 good reeds from a box of 10. 2/3 Very good reeds.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
