The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: C2thew
Date: 2007-09-27 00:50
Not only are they very consistent and playable right out of the box, they also come with some pad drying paper! which is cool.
Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys, which distract our attention from serious things. they are but improved means to an unimproved end, an end which was already but too easy to arrive as railroads lead to Boston to New York
-Walden; Henry Thoreau
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2007-09-27 01:44
I had a very limited success rate with Zonda cane..I found it lacked durability and after a short period they simply died. I also felt the tip shape never worked well with my mouthpiece...however, if they work well for you excellent!
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Author: RodRubber
Date: 2007-09-27 05:25
I also feel that they lack wood behind the tip and produce a soggy tone. I also agree that the longevity is lacking.
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Author: rtmyth
Date: 2007-09-27 15:52
I prefer Zonda to Gonzalez, and Rue 56 to either.
richard smith
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Author: Sylvain
Date: 2007-09-27 16:02
Well, I am back to the blue box
--
Sylvain Bouix <sbouix@gmail.com>
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Author: johng ★2017
Date: 2007-09-27 16:26
This is perplexing!
Why would different people have the opposite experiences with reed brands? I find Zondas to have more great reeds that last a long time and never have a "soggy tone". But some people love Gonzales reeds and I can never find one that sounds good, lasts long, and they all seem to have a "soggy tone". Even given equipment, locale and player differences why would there be these opposite experiences?
John Gibson, Founder of JB Linear Music, www.music4woodwinds.com
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Author: Iceland clarinet
Date: 2007-09-27 17:31
I've tried over 20 reed brands/types and after playing for about 1 1/2 year on Gonzalez I got fed up by how long they are to brake in. Also they are way too consistent. Then I came agross Xilema professional and now I will never ever change to another brand. They are easy to brake in max 3-4 days compared to 7-14 days with Gonzalez and they last longer than any reed I've tried. But the best thing is how much varied tone colors you get with them it's just like I've discovered the rainbow again. But on the other hand the od thing is that I also tried the Xilema classic and they are one of the worst reeds I've ever tried. They play very soft at first and then become stiffer after few days but then they start to wrap or something because it gets very difficult to get tone from them and staccato is impossible. It's like they are made out of different cane.
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Author: hans
Date: 2007-09-27 20:49
johng,
re: "given equipment, locale and player differences why would there be these opposite experiences?" is a good question, and I'll take a guess:
different players use different preparation techniques; e.g., some may burnish, while others don't. Other variables may involve: saliva chemistry; acid reflux (if it can cause tooth decay it can probably do it to a reed); quantity of saliva produced; consumption of sugary foods or drinks that contaminate and plug the reed's pores; or the player's reed cleaning habits after playing.
Regards,
Hans
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Author: claritoot26
Date: 2007-09-27 22:34
Iceland,
I had a different experience with Xilema. I kind of like the classic ones, but the professional ones not at all. Haven't tried Zonda in years, because I didn't like them when they first came out.
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Author: Iceland clarinet
Date: 2007-09-28 01:08
claritoot26 I really liked the sound from the Xilema classics but after I tried a box and only found 2 practice(after week of brake in) quality ones and the rest was just horrible but with the Professional I so far found after 2 weeks of playing 3-4 hours each day 5 reeds that were all concert quality and still are and they only took about 3 day to brake in.
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Author: Bassie
Date: 2007-09-28 16:06
Xilema Pro work fantastic for me, but I didn't get on with Zonda.
It's definitely worth trying these lesser-known brands on occasion... you never know quite what you're going to find. Sometimes it's a revelation.
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Author: Philcoman
Date: 2007-09-28 20:08
It does seem strange (and frustrating!) that there are so many different opinions about reeds. I've tried many and used Gonzales for quite a while, but Zondas were a revelation to me. I buy them whenever they're available.
Which is not to say that I've stopped looking. I'll definitely give the Xilema Pros a try.
"If you want to do something, you do it, and handle the obstacles as they come." --Benny Goodman
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Author: john gibson
Date: 2007-09-28 20:11
I'm The OTHER JOHN GIBSON....(so as not to confused with the one that's smarter)
Mitchel Lurie Pemiums
Pomarico
Olivieri
In that order.......I find to be consistent and best sounding....
Always thought the Mitchel Luries best.....then my friend Riccardo at Pomarico sent me some of his brand.....and they were a match for the ML's....the Olivieri I use are a hard reed (4 1/2) that I use with a close tip MPC....and work wonderfully.
JG
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Author: Bassie
Date: 2007-10-01 11:51
John -
Well, there's two I've never tried! - Pomarico and Olivieri. In fact I thought Pomarico only did mpc's. But I didn't get on with the ML premiums.
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Author: redwine
Date: 2007-10-01 12:10
Hello Iceland,
Xilema definitely makes all their reeds with the same cane. The Professional and Classic are merely completely different cuts. So, the cut of the Professional fits your mouthpiece and playing style better.
(disclaimer-I'm the North American importer and distributor of Canyes Xilema reeds).
Ben Redwine, DMA
owner, RJ Music Group
Assistant Professor, The Catholic University of America
Selmer Paris artist
www.rjmusicgroup.com
www.redwinejazz.com
www.reedwizard.com
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Author: Brenda ★2017
Date: 2007-10-01 14:09
I'm one who tries other brands (Ridenour, Gonzalez, Vandoren, Oliveiri, etc) and have always returned to Zonda Classic. Still, I like to keep experimenting to see what works. But I have one Zonda reed that's superb and I hope it lives forever! I've got to find one or two others to replace it for that eventual fateful day...
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Author: Bassie
Date: 2007-10-01 15:50
> I've got to find one or two others to replace it for that eventual fateful day...
See, that's what got me into this whole shopping-around thing in the first place. :-D
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