 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: J. J.
Date: 2007-06-05 04:16
I'd like to bring to everyone's attention, as well as slightly endorse, this new line of Rico reeds that is a year old now. I really think they are the best reeds Rico has yet produced. This is a slightly unusual viewpoint, as a longtime player of V12s. I have played V12s exclusively now for a decade and I've finally found something that competes or surpasses them.
The Rico Reserve reeds are very consistent. They come in boxes of five, but I have found there to be many of them that are usable. What is even more surprising is that for me they are even more playable out of the box than V12s. I dont know if the packaging using a Rico Reed Vitalizer pack is the reason for their consistency, but whatever they're doing works. They have a great core to the sound and are very flexible as well.
I am making and playing my own reeds almost exclusively now as of this month, so it is hard for me to give a direct comparison of the best Ricos vs. the best Vandoren V12s. What I can tell you is that the Reserves are excellent and worth a try, particularly for those traditionally turned off by Ricos.
They are more expensive than V12s, and some people may not find the added expense worth it. I wouldn't be surprised, though, if a number of people found it to be a non-issue, as the consistency and quality make up for and difference.
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Author: Klarinet
Date: 2007-06-05 07:36
In March, a man from Rico came to our school to explain about the making of reeds and Rico Reserve specifically. These reeds are made from the bottom of the reed, which is the oldest part and has more tubes in it. Rico doesn't make the choise between French and German cut reeds, but they use something in between, which should make the sound better.
I, however, have tested a few of them whith different resistence (2.5, 3, 3.5 and even 4) and found them quit useless. The sound was horrible. I kept them with me and now and then I try one again, but it makes no difference. I think I'm gonna stick with my Vandoren Classic 3.5, even though I can only use 3 reeds out of a box.
Goele
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Author: susieray
Date: 2007-06-05 15:32
I've been using Rico Reserve # 3 1/2 for the past six months or so and they are my favorite reeds. Every reed in the box has been playable (for me) and have required very little, if any adjustment. I love them!
Post Edited (2007-06-05 19:17)
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Author: Old Geezer
Date: 2007-06-05 16:05
I've also tried Rico Reserve reeds with some satisfaction resulting.
I use #3's...of the first four boxes i've tried every reed is playable out of the box. Of course some are more playable than others. After a careful breakin almost all are useable. Rico has done something right, maybe it is the cane, they smell and taste different...really.
Clarinet Redux
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Author: Philcoman
Date: 2007-06-05 19:51
I guess there are as many opinions about reeds as there are clarinet players. My own two cents: I wasn't bowled over by Rico Reserves. They were OK -- I liked them better than V12s -- but I definitely didn't think they were worth the $$. I use Zondas right now, and I rather like Rico concert thick blanks.
"If you want to do something, you do it, and handle the obstacles as they come." --Benny Goodman
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Author: Iceland clarinet
Date: 2007-06-06 00:08
For me the packing is ridiculously big and bulky. Also the reeds are so fluffy it's almost no way to use them playing sensitive parts in Brahms symphonies more usable in loud playing. And I don't get any more concert quality reeds per 10 reeds than with V-12 that is 3-4 concert quality reeds and 4-6 rehersal quality ones.
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Author: musiciandave
Date: 2007-06-06 13:02
You remove the packing when opening the box and store the reeds in whatever reed holder that you put them in. I figure that they went for a more elegant package with the current packaging. I use a 3 1/2 or 4 and they don't sound nor feel fluffy to me at all. Must be the difference in setups.
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Author: Iceland clarinet
Date: 2007-06-06 19:35
Musiciandave It matters a great deal if the packing is big and bulky because I have to order all my reeds oversea to Iceland.
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Author: mnorswor
Date: 2007-06-07 03:47
I've been playing on these for the past few weeks and must say that I rather like them. The consistency is terrific and I think the sound I get on them is just what I'm looking for. As far as the packaging, I wish there weren't all that plastic going to waste (though it IS recyclable), but they weigh no more than a box of Vandorens and should ship for the same price.
For what it's worth!!
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Author: 2E
Date: 2007-06-07 10:20
I got given a free sample of Rico Reserves here in Australia and have been playing them fairly often. I thought they would be too hard for my mouthpiece (which is for softer reeds) but am finding them most satisfactory. Good sound and easy response with just the right amount of resistance. Seems fine to me. 2E
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Author: donald
Date: 2008-02-24 09:55
kia ora
i'm currently playing "Acting Sub Principal Clarinet" for a month in the Auckland Philharmonia, and am really stressed for time- piles of music to learn, juggling teaching commitments, also learning music for chamber music/solo recitals in March/April etc etc
= no time for working on reeds
.... so, last week i picked up a packet of Rico Reserve. I've had mixed success with Rico reeds over the years- often found something that worked only to find the next box of the same product seriously let me down. Well, maybe this time it's going to work out. I have found 3 out of 5 reeds to be of rehearsal quality, and one to be a great concert reed with only a little adjustment.
Tonight i played about 2 hours of demanding music (including accompanying Dame Kiri TeKanawa) and this Rico Reserve reed played well for the whole concert. I certianly had no trouble playing a wide dynamic range. I've ordered more, and really hope that this time Rico have come up with something that'll keep me happy long term! I usually use V12 4.5 and Rue Lepec 4.5 and have to do quite a bit of adjustment to "get them right". In both styles the 4s are generally too soft, with a few exceptions here and there.
The Rico Reserve 4.5s seem to be just a little softer than the Vandorens of the same strength (though this could be just this one box)
dn
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Author: janlynn
Date: 2008-02-24 11:34
ok y'all have sold me and ive gotta atleast try them.
right now my favorite reed is Vandoren Traditional with the V12's close behind.
have been experimenting with the Rue Lepics and Gonzalez FOF recently and keep going back to Vadoren blue box.
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2008-02-24 15:49
No box of reeds will be perfect, but these come as close to me as possible to that. It isn't magic, just good cane and cut. I don't think that the packaging does anything (the humidity pack I feel is bogus as outside of the pack it doesn't ever harden which to me means that it never worked - the paid humidity packs absolutely harden after 2 months of use or so).
I've played/endorsed the high end Rico cane products since I tried them in Gent Belguim back in 1993 at the (begged) request of Marcus Eley. Before that you couldn't have caught myself nor any of my students playing a rico product on Clarinet.
Always did like the Hemke Sax reeds, but even those have been bested by the Reserve and Grand Concert reeds.
I've tried the Rue Lepic reeds and did find them to be good but not "as good" so I don't use them.
Everyone here has different experiences with reeds so there will be those who love em, and those who don't just like any other Clarinet product.
Heck, the more players who use them, the more out of stock they will be, so don't ......... 
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2008-02-25 15:50
last week, I opened a new box of VD V12s, and 5 of the 1st 6 were great. Each died within 1/2 hour of playing. I bought another box, and thought that the store clerk had come out with a box of bass clarinet reeds --it was the new flowpak --won't fit in my little custom new reed box.
Bob Phillips
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Author: TomD
Date: 2008-02-25 16:25
I'm in the process of evaluating 3.5 Reserve's with a Vandoren M30 mouthpiece on a Yamaha CSG-h. I've tried 3 reeds so far and they all play pretty well and are very well matched. However, they are a bit soft for the M30. I will probably try the 4's but I think a 3.5+ would be perfect but they don't offer a 3.5+ as of yet. I hope they will.
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2008-02-25 18:16
Vandoren reeds are getting a great deal of grief recently and I think that it is partially deserved.
If the reeds were cut and finished in 60% humidity, sealed and shipped the same, it makes sense that they go downhill quickly if they are not preserved so.
I do understand the arugment: once you start playing them they acclimate to the room (which is not usually humidified so). But we use the reed in our mouths...an awfully humid place.
I cure/adjust all my reeds and I keep them in a humidor that stays at 68% humidity. I don't find that my reeds die quickly at all.
James
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: rsholmes
Date: 2008-02-25 18:48
Do you have some way of preventing mold? I tried keeping my reeds at about 70% humidity and things were fine during the winter, but once the weather warmed up the reeds started getting moldy.
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Author: L. Omar Henderson
Date: 2008-02-25 19:06
I am a mold expert living in Georgia. You must kill the spores on the reeds using a disinfectant - I use ReedLife, and I sell it - or keep your reeds at a Relative Humidity less than 50% which does not support vegetative mold growth. Your choice - dry reeds to rehydrate or mold here in the Spring, Summer, and Fall.
L. Omar Henderson
www.doctorsprod.com
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2008-02-25 19:12
I use a 50/50 mix of Propylene Glycol and distilled water. You can buy an 8oz. bottle of the stuff at a tobacconist for about $5. I've had my humidor for a year and the bottle isn't even two thirds empty.
The P.G. is poured on to Oasis sponge (available from a Florist) which is then the humidifying element.
rsholmes: send me an email and I'll attach the directions for how my humidor works.
James
Gnothi Seauton
Post Edited (2008-02-25 19:17)
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Author: L. Omar Henderson
Date: 2008-02-25 19:21
The Relative Humidity is the key element and 50% RH is the magic number to prevent mold growth. Mold spores are ubiquitous in the environment and in the air - especially in warmer climates. Washing off a reed and keeping it in a sealed container may help a little but one little microscopic spore can sprout into a nasty mold patch above 15 C and > 50% RH. I've had good luck storing my reeds at a little less than 50% RH and they take little time to rehydrate.
L. Omar Henderson
www.doctorsprod.com
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Author: Ryan25
Date: 2008-02-25 19:56
David,
how do the Rico Reserves compare to V12's? Do they have a similar cut or are they more like traditional Vandorens?
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2008-02-25 20:50
Strength wise according to Rico (I have their strength comparison chart which lists many brands including Rue and V-12) they are identical exactly to Vandoren's V-12
The cut is not french with the straight line cut, however their cut is quite even so not like the Vandoren Regular which follows a curve. (so basically except for the lack of the line, they are french cut)
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
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Author: Iceland clarinet
Date: 2008-02-25 22:17
How about #3+ ? #3 are too soft for me from the begining and the #3.5 are too hard and take very long time to brake in and feels to me very fluffy or is it just the fact that they have too much woody sound which will not work for sensitive passage like in Brahms sinfonias ?
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Author: RodRubber
Date: 2008-02-26 05:56
They have a slightly thinner tip than V12s, and actually slightly less wood in the heart area. I just measured one.
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Author: Iceland clarinet
Date: 2008-02-26 07:06
David I and my former teacher who plays in the Icelandic symphony both play on Grabner K-14 mouthpieces I on Buffet Festival and he on Tosca and we got the same result as my present teacher who plays on Selmer Signature with Lomax mouthpiece which is a bit more open than the K-14.
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Author: Ryan25
Date: 2008-02-26 17:05
Thanks David and Evan,
I think I will have to give them a try.
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2008-02-26 17:29
I'd compare them to the Vandoren Rue 56 which I think is a pretty good reed too (though several other Pros which I have spoken with didn't like them much).
Everyone's got their own experiences so you have to go with what works best for you.
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2008-02-26 17:35
Exactly. Pick a reed that works with your setup and work with it. Grabner's mouthpieces are designed to work wll with either V12s, Gonzalez FOF or Legere Quebecs. So, use one of them.
Many other folks will haev excellent results with the RR reeds , using their particular setups. Really, the brand of the clarinet should not make a difference as much as the type of mouthpiece does.
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: Ryan25
Date: 2008-02-26 17:37
"Everyone's got their own experiences so you have to go with what works best for you"
Well that is not Vandoren right now! I'm having all kinds of set up issues at the moment. Time for some "spring cleaning".
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Author: Andy Firth
Date: 2008-02-26 19:57
I love the new Rico Reserve reeds! I tend to alternate between the Evolutions and Reserve though. The reserve reeds are great for a lot of high register playing and keep their resistance and tonal qualities much longer than anything else I've played.
Cheers!
Andy
[ Disclaimer: Andy Firth is listed as a Rico artist on their website. - GBK ]
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Author: Iceland clarinet
Date: 2008-02-26 22:01
I should also have pointed out that a college of my former teacher in the Icelandic symphony who plays also on the Grabner K-14 and Buffet RC-Prestige clarinets says he gets fantastic result with the Reverse so it's very personal. Soundwise I think that Gonzalez FOF is more like Vandoren Rue-Lepic(deep low register and more flexible and brighter high register) and the Reverse more like V-12(more resistance and maybe bit more even in sound).
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Author: Iceland clarinet
Date: 2009-11-07 17:17
OK I bought one box of Reserves and 1/2 box(5 reeds) of V-12 today(for almost 2 times more expensive than at Weiner music for example) as I need to choice the reeds I will let Weiner music send to the hotel in New York that my parents will stay in when they will go there in December. I've not played the V-12 for almost 3 years now so I was curious to now how Vandoren played in the new Flow Packs. I got #3.5 of both brands. OK I've tried 3 of each and for the first thing the Reserve felt like one # softer than the V-12. I don't know but I think the V-12 is a bit harder now than prior to the flow pack and the consistency was rocket(maybe I was lucky) and the quality and evenness throughout the register as the balance was way far better than I've ever experienced with V-12 before.
I think I might be sold on to V-12's again. And it's now a big mystery to me why there has been such a large protest here on the BBoard against these new packing(sure it's bulky and lot goes wasted) as the product(no matter if the flow pack has anything to do with it or not) seems to have improved a lot since 3 years ago(prior to the flow pack).
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Author: jacoblikesmusic
Date: 2009-11-11 04:34
Rico Reserves are good, but Vandoren is still better in my opinion. The Rico Reserve will get you more out of a box that will play, but If you find those awesome couple of reeds in that Vandoren box of 10, they are still better.
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2009-11-11 11:17
Omar,
I just saw your comment (I'm a bit tardy).
Calling yourself a "mold expert living in Georgia" is like saying LeBron James and Kobe Bryant play a little basketball. LOL.
HRL
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Author: Neal Raskin
Date: 2009-11-11 13:03
My professor and I both agree that the Rico Reserve allow you to play incredibly loud with a decent tone. But as soon as you go below a f or mf, the tone becomes very fuzzy and uncontrollable.
Unfortunately, I still am using Vandorens...
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Author: kdk
Date: 2009-11-11 14:22
Depends completely on your mouthpiece and how much adjusting you're willing/able to do.
Karl
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Author: Ed
Date: 2009-11-11 16:21
Maybe you need to try a different strength?
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Author: Iceland clarinet
Date: 2009-11-11 16:46
Right out of the box Vandoren has the winning for me. Been trying 5 reeds of Reserve and 5 of V-12 and after 5 days the consistency of V-12 is far greater.
It's been 3 years since I've played regularly on V-12 and for me(at least those 5 reeds) are much better than prior to Flow pack.
Wether condition is 41°F(5°C) cloudy wind speed 15mph,no rain and humidity level around 75%
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