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Author: Iceland clarinet
Date: 2007-11-05 19:39
Just the packing alone doesn't make me wanna play them but I also find them hard to control. Getting a free one if I like them or refund if I don't like them doesn't impress me I have lot of other things to do with my time than than spending my time on reed problems.
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Author: Danny Boy
Date: 2007-11-05 19:45
Iceland...I think the idea is for people who haven't tried them yet. Realising that English is probably not your first language, I'd ask you as others have before to consider the way you talk to people before hitting the post button.
David...many thanks. I got my hands on a sample box with two reeds in it some time ago for Rico Reserves. They didn't make want to change from blue box Vandorens at the time, but weren't bad so I think I'll give them another go.
Edit: D'oh, US only offer.
Post Edited (2007-11-05 19:46)
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2007-11-05 19:49
> Edit: D'oh, US only offer.
Yup, so we humble Resterners won't have to ponder over losing time anyway...
--
Ben
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Author: Iceland clarinet
Date: 2007-11-05 20:02
Danny Boy why you couldn't see that I was making a statement and not talking directly to DavidBlumberg I don't know but I stand by my statement 100%.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2007-11-05 20:15
Iceland clarinet wrote:
> Danny Boy why you couldn't see that I was making a statement
> and not talking directly to DavidBlumberg I don't know but I
> stand by my statement 100%.
But this wasn't a request for comment ... it was an announcement of a freebie ... You're not required to try them again, you've already made up your mind.
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Author: lj
Date: 2007-11-05 21:26
DavidBlumberg,
Thanks for the information. Since I'm just getting back to playing (and thus have no unwavering brand allegiances), I think I'll give them a try--I do enjoy freebies! Any recommendations as to whether they tend to run harder or softer than other major brands? Thank you again.
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Author: skygardener
Date: 2007-11-06 01:18
Iceland clarinet- "Just the packing alone doesn't make me wanna play them "
What are you talking about? You find fault with the box itself? I have never imagined a complaint like that.
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Author: ned
Date: 2007-11-06 03:18
''I think I'll give them a try--I do enjoy freebies!''
Not quite freebies I think. More like 1/2 priced reeds. They'd still make good money from this promotion.
I am in the promotion business myself and you really don't get anything for nothing.
It's a pity that the ROW was ignored though, maybe it's the shipping cost ex the USA perhaps? I'm a long time Rico Royal user and would be keen to try something new, from the same manufacturer.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2007-11-06 03:37
"It's a pity that the ROW was ignored though, maybe it's the shipping cost ex the USA perhaps?"
I think... maybe? Shipping inetrnationally from USA is pretty expensive. I'm always surprised how expensive since shipping from here to USA costs about the same or many times even less than shipping inside USA, and doesn't take that much longer....
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2007-11-06 06:06
> Shipping inetrnationally from USA is pretty expensive. I'm always surprised
> how expensive since shipping from here to USA costs about the same or
> many times even less than shipping inside USA, and doesn't take that much
> longer....
To ship a box of reeds from the US to Switzerland would cost about 3$. To ship the same box back would cost 8$.
Take notice that int'l shipping fees aren't calculated purely by cost, but also by politics.
--
Ben
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Author: Iceland clarinet
Date: 2007-11-06 08:26
The box is like 2 times larger than V-12 box and 3 times larger than the Xilema reed box. It's bulky and boring to have around in your case. Then I have to buy my reeds online and I think that the postage would be more expsensive.
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Author: skygardener
Date: 2007-11-06 08:33
Wow! It really is about the box.
Maybe I should consider what my next clarinet purchace should be based on the look of the case.
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2007-11-06 10:21
So you can take them out of the box and put a rubberband around them.......
If you are creative and want to make a design, you can tie them together making a bunch of X's, or you can string them together like popcorn.
;)
And, if you don't like them you get a refund. The first time I tried them when they initially came out I would have opted for the refund as I didn't like them initially as the box I got I found to be mushy. That was my first box - after that they were quite good.
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
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Author: C2thew
Date: 2007-11-06 16:50
after i click the submit button, nothing happens except the screen reloads again. i'm using firefox.
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: susieray
Date: 2007-11-06 17:06
Same thing happened to me. I even hit "submit" several times and never got to the page that you are supposed to print out. :-(
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Author: Jeff_Grimshaw
Date: 2007-11-06 17:28
Thanks for the heads up about this offer, David. I'm just starting out on the clarinet and I suspect I'll be trying out a variety of reeds in the next few months to find ones that I like. It's nice to get a 2-fer, so I'll give these a try.
I'm now using standard Rico reeds (orange box) because that's what my local store had in stock. Are the Reserve reeds very different? The cost difference is substantial.
> Same thing happened to me. I even hit "submit" several times
> and never got to the page that you are supposed to print out.
> :-(
susieray and C2thew: I had the same problem until I realized that I had to put something in the "Comments" field. Then it worked OK.
Cheers,
--Jeff
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Author: Chauncey
Date: 2007-11-06 18:22
This is just a guess, but perhaps you could clear your cache (CTR/SHIFT/DEL). The path that the "Post" leads to may be accidentally false, making Firefox reload an already loaded page.
Just a guess, though... I'm sorry if it doesn't work
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2007-11-06 18:49
The standard ones aren't good as far as I'm concerned. These are worth the extra cost. Just take good care of your reeds and you can make one last 2-3 weeks.
There are plenty of really good reed brands out there. Even if you wanted to play a better reed but not as costly you could try the Rico Grand Concert Thick Blank reed. They are to me really good too.
Other great brands include the Gonzalez, Vandoren (not the regular, but the V-12 and the Rue 56 I prefer) among others.
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2007-11-06 19:08
David,
since you are a familar with them - Rico doesn't just produce Ricos, but also LaVoz and Mitchell Luries. How are they different from each other? Same material, different cut? Same reed, different box?
Just curious...
--
Ben
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2007-11-06 19:16
Nope, completely different quality of cane and cut technology. I don't like the lavoz nor the lurie.
Maybe lavoz for sax, but nothing more.
The reserve reed is super select cane from the bottom of the stalk. The most seasoned cane comes from the bottom as it's the most mature.
Other brands have great cane too, so this isn't the "one and only", but it's the one on my ligature.
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
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Author: Ed
Date: 2007-11-06 21:07
Rico has a chart on the site that lists the strength of these and lists them the same as V-12. I would be interested in giving these a try. I have tried the Grand Concert Thick Blank and have found them to be a very good reed.
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Author: C2thew
Date: 2007-11-07 04:58
in my opinion, rico grand concert thick blanks aren't necessarilly better for a player just starting out. Thick blank reeds are basically "finish to your suiting" reeds in which you have to work at them to find the desired sound. these are suitable for professionals who have been doing this for their entire lives. the other versions out there are pre-cut strengths which usually work out of the box (though you find duds)
rico orange box vs rico reserves? rico orange is probably a 1 on a worst scale for overall reed durability and a ? on rico reserves (haven't tried yet)
p.s. thanks to Jeff_Grimshaw for pointing out the comments section. i thought they would SEND you a box of reeds to try out if you order directly through them. i get it now.
so basically all you have to lose in this offer is sales tax and postage. on the plus side you get some good reeds.
nice find
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: J. J.
Date: 2007-11-07 17:01
"Thick blank reeds are basically "finish to your suiting" reeds in which you have to work at them to find the desired sound."
No, absolutely not. Completely false on all accounts.
"the other versions out there are pre-cut strengths which usually work out of the box (though you find duds)"
Again, no. This is just as true for the Grand Concert Thick Blanks as for any other reed.
FWIW, I play V12s and my own reeds, but I couldn't let that go unchallenged.
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2007-11-07 17:03
I agree with JJ and was going to post the same. The grand concert reeds are finished and ready to play. However if you choose a stronger strength you may have to work on them to get your own strength.
A starting player playing on a 2 or 2 1/2 would find them quite playable right out of the box.
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
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Author: A Brady
Date: 2007-11-07 20:17
I have been using the ReedVitalizer packs from the Reserve reeds packaging in my reed bags for some time now. The humidity level is not specified (I believe it says "RS") but it works very well to keep my reeds completely stable for extended periods.
I have had terrible luck with the ReedVitalizer packs that I have bought separately lately; they have all been crystallized as soon as I opened the package, meaning that they are worn out, and no longer functional. I don't know what's up with Rico's quality control, but the packs from the Reserve reeds have all been just fine.
AB
AB
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2007-11-07 21:33
Nope, they do nothing at all - zero, zip, nada. Trust me on that one - you need to use the 73% or the other one (the less, not the 80+ one as that is way too much).
How do I know this?
Cause I left one of the packing pieces out for 3 months and it never got hard at all. That means that it does nothing whatsoever.
When the packet gets crystalized, that tells you that it's working. What is in the shipping container is nothing but water to me.
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2007-11-07 21:36
by the way - those packs which are in the reserve are "supposed" to keep the reed at a very low humidity.
If that was the case then those packets would harden in a couple of days if left outside the case in humid weather.
Didn't happen.
So what you are getting is only the vitalizer case which does slow down the drying process, but will not add any moisture like the packets do when they are working properly.
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
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Author: mnorswor
Date: 2007-11-08 04:48
I'd also second David's recommendation to try a box. I'm playing these reeds exclusively now and love the sound, flexibility and consistency that I get from them. I do endorse this product professionally and am happy to do so.
Many good reeds to everyone!!
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Author: C2thew
Date: 2007-11-08 05:15
I opened a box of 3 1/2 grand concert thick blanks and were almost impossible to play. had to work them down to get them to play, which was from my experience. i mean all of them played like a 4.
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: skygardener
Date: 2007-11-08 05:53
C2thew- If they are all like that then they are supposed to be that way. Try a strength 3.
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Author: allencole
Date: 2007-11-08 08:03
I've been using Reserve #4's for a while in conjunction with Zonda 4 "N". The reserves start up quickly, give a nice, wide-open sound and are pretty consistent in their strength.
As for all the packets, special reed cases, etc., I don't even fool with that. They definitely don't last forever, but neither do the Zondas. But for me they are reliable and trouble-free for the most part.
Allen Cole
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2007-11-08 11:23
A problem with the fake packet in the reed box is that players may think "hmm, free humidity pack" and use that instead of getting a real pack that will actually do something.
Theres a reason why those packs don't have a humidity level printed on them like the regular ones do.......
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
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Author: skygardener
Date: 2007-11-08 11:53
If those are not real humidity packs then they should be marked as such or left out of the packaging altogether.
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2007-11-08 12:35
A Brady, chances are (100%) that the ones that you bought were old stock and sitting around for a while.
If they were blue than yup, they are old.
The current ones (since about 6 months ago?) are all white and last a lot longer. If you bought an old bag from a store and the bag was blue, you got old stock and yes the thing will dry out really quickly or even be dry when you open it.
You should write Rico and ask them for a replacement. They should last from 2-3 months minimum. The pack states 45-60 days, but I get quite a bit more out of them.
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
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Author: jazz17
Date: 2007-11-08 20:17
Question about the Rico Reserve German cut reeds
For quite a few years I was playing on Steuer S-100 , German cut Bb clarinet reeds and really liked them. Unfortunately the only U.S. supplier that had them went out of business, leaving me with trying quite a few other reeds to replace them.
First are you or have you ever had the opportunity to try the Steuer reeds I mentioned above, and if so how would you compare these German Cut Rico Reserve reeds with the Steuer S-100 German cut reeds.
I played on #3 reeds when using Steuer.
If you haven't had the chance to play them, can you describe the playing qualities of these Rico Reserve reeds and how you think they may match up on a Vandoren B45 lyre mouthpiece. Thank you. Tom
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Author: A Brady
Date: 2007-11-09 17:08
I have been using these "RS" packs in my reed bags for quite some time now, with good results. I haven't actually measured the humidity levels in the bags (I will have to get a small hygrometer from a cigar store); I suppose it's possible that the reeds are staying stable in the bags without the aid of the "fake" ReedVitalizer packs. This certainly does seem to be a real issue if Rico is putting phony packs in with the Reserve reeds.
Also, my impression was that the packs were working as long as they are soft and pliable, but David Blumberg is saying that there should be some crystallization evident in the pack? I will pick up some more current versions of these and see how I do.
I have been keeping my reed cases in freezer bags for quite a few years, with good results, and the humidity pack is certainly a great idea, if it actually works!
AB
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2007-11-09 17:31
"Also, my impression was that the packs were working as long as they are soft and pliable, but David Blumberg is saying that there should be some crystallization evident in the pack? I will pick up some more current versions of these and see how I do."
------------------------------
Absolutely. No crystals at all for a period of time means that it isn't doing anything at all. The regular packs always to crystalize after a while and start to slightly after a week or so - that means that it is active and working. The reed bags are quite thick, much more so than any freezer bag, but I would figure that it would mean that the packet just has to work harder to maintain the level of humidity.
Maybe, just maybe (as in benefit of the doubt) the pure liquid bag helps to reduce the humidity, but I doubt it - I suspect that they don't do anything (the ones which come in the reserve packs).
Use a real one and it will really work.
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
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Author: DrH2O
Date: 2007-11-09 17:35
If I understand the ReedVitalizer packs correctly they use a permeable membrane pouch and a salt mixture to maintain the humidity at a given level (different salts for different humidity levels). A new pack contains both fluid (supersaturated with the salt) and solid crystals so that it can either release or absord humidity to reach the desired level. If a pack is left in the open in low humidity conditions it would quickly loose moisture and harden (hence the need for a case or sealed plastic pouch). On the other hand if left out in humid conditions the salt crystals would take in moisture until all the crystals are "consumed." Shouldn't it be possible then to revitalize the ReedVitalizer pack once it hardens by putting it in a nice humid environment for awhile? It seems to me that the crystals should re-hydrate and the pouch could then be used over and over again.
Anne
Anne
Clarinet addict
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Author: A Brady
Date: 2007-11-09 18:03
Thanks, for the info, David. I'll pick up some current packs and report on the results here.
AB
AB
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Author: Sylvain
Date: 2007-11-09 18:21
Anybody knows the difference between german cut and regular cut. I'm asking because my Chadash Hill likes the VD black master best...
--
Sylvain Bouix <sbouix@gmail.com>
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Author: rsholmes
Date: 2007-12-04 04:57
Prompted by this I bought a box of Rico Reserves.
One of the five reeds seemed quite playable... for about two days. The third day, it'd turned to crap. I've never seen anything like it.
I think I'll opt for the refund.
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Author: rsholmes
Date: 2007-12-04 13:52
Doesn't appear warped. Actually I think I used it for 5 or 10 minutes on each of the first two days, and then used it longer (but probably no more than a half hour or so) for one or two days after that. Then it died.
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Author: Ed
Date: 2007-12-04 15:58
When you say "it died" what characteristics or playing qualities does it exhibit? What exactly does this mean?
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