 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: ErinBeaudreau
Date: 2008-08-23 02:07
Hello Everyone! I am a relatively new member to this board. I have searched for applicable threads concerning Vandoren Rue Lepic reeds and have not found one that seems to discuss others player's specific experiences with these reeds. Therefore, I thought I'd start a thread for those who are interested. I do realize that we all play on different setups that respond better with different mouthpiece/reed combinations, but would still like to hear more about this reed from other clarinetists
Just a quick bit about me. I have a bachelor's in clarinet performance and am currently beginning my graduate studies in music ed (M.S grad teacher prep program) at Syracuse University. I am declared education but am fully pursuing all performing opportunities as well (lessons, performing/auditioning for groups, maybe a recital).
I went through all four years of my undergraduate studies on Vandoren V12 reeds. I found them to be good reeds, but over the last year when I was in the process of readjusting my mouthpiece/reed setup I discovered that the Rue Lepics played much better and matched my mouthpiece (Clark fobes 2M*) well. I play on a set of Selmer Signatures which are wonderful instruments. My ability to not just focus the tone but really center it seems better with these than it was with the V12's which produce a big sound but (with my setup) fail to provide the instant response and focus of the Rue Lepics. I can get either type of reed to play well, I just feel that I get farther (sound quality, clarity, focus) on the Rue Lepics than I do on the V12's with the same amount of reed adjustment. I did have to go down a half size with these though as they are a bit thicker at the tip and heel than the V12's.
I would be curious to know what other players think of these reeds. Thank you!
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Author: EEBaum
Date: 2008-08-23 02:14
I keep them in my rotation for variety. I've had similar experiences to others I've heard in that they play really well for a while but, in most cases, lack the longevity of a good V12 or Gonzalez.
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
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Author: beejay
Date: 2008-08-23 08:41
Excellent reeds, well worth the extra money. I play them on a Charles Bay mouthpiece, and find them very consistent. I've read complaints that they don't last for long, but this has not been my experience. Given proper rotation, they last as long as any other.
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Author: ErinBeaudreau
Date: 2008-08-23 16:28
Thanks for sharing beejay! I agree with you in that the rue lepics if broken in and rotated properly last just as long as others. Glad to hear they work for you as well.
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Author: Ryder
Date: 2008-08-23 16:34
I used to use them exclusively on a Vandoren M13 Lyre and found them the best match for that mouthpiece. After I switched to a Fobes SF CF+ they didn't work for me. I still have several boxes, so maybe I'll give 'em a try again.
____________________
Ryder Naymik
San Antonio, Texas
"We pracice the way we want to perform, that way when we perform it's just like we practiced"
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2008-08-23 17:00
Unless I'm trying a new reed brand (which only happens rarely), I use the Vandoren 56 and V12 reeds. Both last as long as any reed I've used. Sometimes I break reeds, but I never break them in, and they last very long. I also never rotate reeds (prefer to play them at the correct direction  ) and don't have any problems with them because of that either.
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2008-08-23 20:31
Hi Erin, I've only tried one box several years ago and I liked them but they didn't last me very long. I could only play on them 2-3 times and they were gone. Several of my students use them and like them alot. I don't insist that my students use any one type or style reed. ESP
www.peabody.jhu.edu/457 A little Mozart
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Author: Wes
Date: 2008-08-23 23:37
Hi!
On trying the Rue Lepic reeds, I felt that they were a little bit like the German reeds. They had a narrower butt and a thick body which seemed to make them a bit brighter and a tendency to not play flat(but not really sharp). The cane was excellent as in the V12s that I always use. They could make a dull mouthpiece sound a bit brighter if that is of value. Good Luck!
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Author: Ryan25
Date: 2008-08-24 01:35
"I don't know any professional clarinetists that use them"
Todd Levy uses them and sounds fantastic.
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Author: Iceland clarinet
Date: 2008-08-24 02:09
They are more freeblowing than eather Gonzales FOF or Vandoren and FOF are more freeblowing than the Vandoren V-12. From brightest to darkes sounding it would be like this Rue Lepic,FOF and V-12. Then both FOF and Rue Lepic are deeper sounding. Now Selmer Signature has more resistance than any Buffet clarinet so I would guess that Selmer Signature use a bit more freeblowing setup than Buffet players and Rue Lepic reeds might be part of that free blowing setup. Btw my teacher plays on Selmer Signature clarinet and uses Rue Lepic reeds. He told me that for him the Selmer Signature has more center in the sound and makes it more easy to play lots of new music tone concepts as he mainly plays late 20th century and "new" music.
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Author: Drake
Date: 2008-08-26 02:34
I found that with a Rue Lepic reed, I can play with a more solid and pleasant tone almost right off the bat. The reeds I used before are notoriously tempermental. In my opinion, Rue Lepics are worth the extra cost.
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2008-08-26 19:12
I tend to go back and forth depending on the room and acoustic...I like the Rue Lepic for smaller and drier acoustics for some reason..the V12 are great in the larger halls. But that is not always the case but I have noted I do like the rue lepic in more enclosed rehearsal environs.
David Dow
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Author: D
Date: 2008-08-27 19:57
I liked them on my 5RV.
Prefer the V12 or traditional on my B40s.
Also depends on if it's Tuesday or sunny or 15.00 or I'm wearing different shoes.....
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2008-08-28 02:22
shoes yeah..it depends. being a good musician means being flexible enough to know when the reed doesn't do it.
David Dow
Post Edited (2008-08-28 02:23)
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Author: Tom Puwalski
Date: 2008-08-28 02:59
I'll mention it again, the Rue lepics are packaged in french air. thats what makes the real differance. I built a special container to remove the french air before opening the box and than I store it in a special air lock container that I pump the authentic parisian air back into. If you don't save the french air, the reeds sound like regular vandorens in about 3 days.
Tom Puwalski
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Author: patrickryan04
Date: 2008-08-28 04:19
I have played them on a variety of mouthpieces: the Hawkins S & R facings, the Fobes cf++ and the Backun Traditional facing. I find the same results, they sound great in the lower register but are very bright in the middle and upper register.
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Author: jparrette
Date: 2008-08-28 12:43
I try to always be sure to inhale the french air when opening a fresh box. (Hi Tom!)
I use the Rue Lepics on my Morales/Backun mouthpieces with fabulous results. V-12's worked better for me on all of my previous mouthpieces - old Kaspars and newer Zinner-blank varieties.
Try them and see if they work with your setup.
John Parrette
CLARION MUSICAL SERVICES
john@clarionmusical.com
914-805-3388
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Author: D
Date: 2008-08-28 20:57
perhaps eating a croissant before playing might have the same effect. I'm willing to take part in a trial, any one else?
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2008-08-29 13:17
A claret red is ideal after practice of course
David Dow
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