 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Sara
Date: 2000-10-26 03:35
As I am in the process of order my next batch of supplies, I have found it in my buget to test some new reeds, because my V12s are getting worse by the box. I've already decided to try the Grand Concert thick blanks, but am stuck between a box of the Zondas or a box of the Rigolettis, or however you spell that one. i've looked at the Zondas upon a recommendation from my teacher and I noticed that there a new kind out recently, and the description mentioned that they were the 'traditional' type. Just out of curiosity, what do they consider to be 'traditional'?
Thanks a lot for any imput you can give!
Sara
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Author: Jodi
Date: 2000-10-26 12:10
I was actually able to get a few of these Traditional Zondas... I have yet to try them. The rep who gave them to me said that they are more of a student reed, but I really don't know... (The price, which is about $19 for a box of 20, would suggest so) I have been told that they are substantially softer than Vandorens. (I have a friend that tried them out in a rehearsal one day while I was there) I plan on trying them, and when I do, I will definitely let you know. My advice would be to get the regular Zondas that come in a pack of 5. They are closer to the cut of a V12, are about the same strength and I like them alot, but they just don't seem to last as long as Vandorens. The rep gave me some advice to that- soaking them from the bottom of the reed in water so they are more evenly wetted down. I am still trying to decide if I will be using them, or getting some Vandoren Blackmasters.
I will try to remember to pull out those reeds tonight. I also have a couple of students that are going to try them.I will let you know!
Jodi
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Author: mark weinstein
Date: 2000-10-26 12:50
As I had it explained to me at ClarinetFest when I was given (free) samples, the new line of Zonda rfeeds is a student reed. They are less expensive then the regular Zonda which come in 5 reed packs. I have played these new reeds since. (were these the Classico's?) I normally play Vandy V-12 3 1/2 or 4, depending on the humidity. I was NOT terribly impressed.
I *have* been impressed with the (new) Grand Concert Selects. I wash my Reeds after every use, and don't blow them hard or in altissimo initially, working them into a rotation. The GC's seem to last a long time w/little degradation of reed. Good luck to all. mw
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Author: Christine Rose
Date: 2000-10-26 17:38
I haven't tried either Zonda, rand Concert Selects, or Rigolettis, but I am really fired up about the Legere reeds. Several of my students are playing on them too, and there are only good reports coming in. Because of the synthetic material, these reeds aren't affected by the humidity or weather. Checkout their website at www.legere.com. I used to play on Vandoren V12 #4, and I'm very happy with the legere #4 1/2.
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Author: bob gardner
Date: 2000-10-26 19:10
i really like my Legere 3 1/2 i have been using it for a couple of months. They are not cheap about $15 but worth the price. Try one or two of them,
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Author: Dee
Date: 2000-10-26 21:46
Sara wrote:
>
> ... because my V12s are getting worse by the box.
If every box seems to be getting worse, I would suggest that you consider thoroughly re-evaluating your embouchure, technique, mouthpiece, reed/mouthpiece match, etc. It is highly unlikely that each successive box would be noticeably worse than the last one.
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Author: Anji
Date: 2000-10-26 22:51
Before my diatribe, let me echo one of the sentiments above... there are so many variables involved with the embouchure/mpc/reed/ligature that changing more than one item at a given time might make for irreproducible results.
We do want consistency, right?
That being said, I would agree that the quality of V-12s has really slid. I now consider them unfinished products out of the box. Larry Guy has a pretty good text with good illustrations about "tuning" and breaking in reeds.
There are more of us playing than ever, and probably less cane grown today than 50 years ago (recall your supply and demand curves?) so the quality has come down to meet the demand at a reasonable price.
My teacher has switched to Zondas. I now play either my Legere (which I think is pretty dull, but ALWAYS the same) or reeds I make myself. I make my own reeds now because its cheaper. 50 decent blanks from Bob Gilbert cost me $20!
If I get half of them turned into solid players, I'm way ahead.
Whatta you get.. 2, 3, maybe 4 winners out of a box?
To reiterate, change no more than one variable at any given time.
Anji
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2000-10-26 23:10
Anji wrote:
> > Whatta you get.. 2, 3, maybe 4 winners out of a box?
3 or 4 winners, 3 or 4 very playable, 2-4 good shims.
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Author: Ai Li
Date: 2000-10-26 23:44
How about the Fibracell? I keep hearing about the Legere though.
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Author: Meri
Date: 2000-10-26 23:55
I had that problem with the regular Vandorens. I have been impressed by the Grand Concert Selects, which interestingly (I don't know about the rest of you) I find a little harder than the Vandoren regular no. #4s. I am finding that I am getting consistently good reeds from the Grand Concert Select (even using a 3 1/2), something I haven't got from the Vandorens in recent months.
Of course, when all else fails, I go for the Legere...which I almost always use in my college band rehearsal (room temperature changes constantly), and my community band one. (room seems to often be quite cool and similar temperature change problems. I'm even thinking about using them permanently.
Meri
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Author: Hiroshi
Date: 2000-10-27 00:28
Zonda made "Zonda classic" as a reed to emit more brighter tones than ordinary Zonda. The heel thickness of this reed is to the ordinary Zonda is like V12(3.15mm) to traditional Vandoren(2.8mm). I have four or five boxes and I like them for Rose 32 etudes - French Music- playing. I think Zonda's owner once posted the purpose of this new reed on this BBS.
Rigolletti: I think this is Rigotti. (Rigotti's owner may be honored to read this. Opera Rigollet plus Rigotti mingled together.) This reed can be purchsed for three stage thickness(hard,medium,and light) in half step thickness notation. For example, 3-1/2 can be purchased hard,medium, and light. Two months ago I obtained two boxes and tried. Their usability is 8 or 9 out of 10. Very high.
It sounds very mellow and sweet. Recommended for certain repartories.
Rico Gland Concert Select: There have been two types. Rico Grand Concert Thick Blank and Roco Grand Concert. Major difference is heel thickness. I felt 'Thick Blank' is too thick. But Rico recently issued a model called Rico Grand Concert- Evolution. I bought a box and tried this one. Felt it somewhat ecclectic of the two types. Its canes seems to have a harder surface than Riggoti. At present I hold my evalluation on this reed.
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Author: Ken Rasmussen
Date: 2000-10-27 02:17
Hmmm. I've been playing Gloten III reeds for years, and have liked them well enough that I haven't tried anything else since I started with these. Have any of you tried the Glotens? If so, what are your comments?
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Author: Sara
Date: 2000-10-27 03:50
What are the new grand concert selects? I haven't heard of them and they aren't in the new Woodwind and Brasswind catalog. Oh and thanks for all of your imput so far!
Sara
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Author: Jodi
Date: 2000-10-27 11:57
Has anyone heard of Brancher (pronouced Bran shay) ? My private teacher had a couple that he had me try and they really weren't bad at all. (Equivalent to Vandoren) He said that they are only available through WW & BW right now...
Also, has anyone been using the Vandoren BlackMaster? I would like some more info on those before buying a box.
I tried those Zondas, and they were OK. Not great, not terrible, but OK. I plan on really trying them out and working on them a bit today to see what they can do. So far, I like the regular, 5 to a pack Zondas better
Thanks!
~Jodi
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2000-10-27 12:17
Jodi wrote:
> He said that they
> are only available through WW & BW right now...
International Musical Suppliers also lists them.
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2000-10-27 13:47
I like Daniel's Reeds. The cane is good, the profiling is good, the strength is consistent, and they average 4 or 5 performance quality reeds and only 1 complete dud in a box of 10. Also, they come in very nice holders.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Nicole Y.
Date: 2000-10-28 16:14
Hmmm...long time no see. I see everyone's busy. I just wanted to plug Marca's. I tried the Rico GC Thick Blanks first and I liked them but they sounded really tinny when I played them. Queen's were okay but very bright to me. Olivieri's were okay but also very bright. V12's were great for a while when I played then 2 years ago and then suddenly I found that they became more and more unplayable. I've tried the regular Zonda's and I found myself in a quandry (my teacher's would be proud of me for that word *LOL* ) about which reed I liked better: Zonda or Marca. Since I found the Marca 3.5's a tiny bit softer than the Zonda I chose Marca as I could play them a little bit better. So now I play on Marca's and for back up I have a box of Zonda's. I think you should just get a box of both types you want to try and find out what you think about them. After all, no one plays exactly like you.
Ciao,
::Kaos::
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Author: mark weinstein
Date: 2000-10-29 03:33
Boy, I am getiing confused with names.
Alexander Superial has a fairly new (traditional, classical, not as hard as the yellow tin alex super's) ... it is called the Alexander Superial CLASSIQUE.
The regular Alex Super's came in a YELLOW TIN. Now, the Classique model comes in a REDdish TIN. I like them very much.
Some of the mail order co's sell them ((Weiner does). John Butler does, too.
good luck to all.
mw
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Author: Tim
Date: 2000-10-29 13:23
[Puffery deleted by the Webmaster]
You know, I have a lot more respect for vendors who can actually read the little blurb on the page that says this is a <b>non-commercial</b> BBoard. A simple statement and pointer to a URL asking us to take a look at the product is fine; a full-fledged ad full of nonsense adjectives that gets printed in a magazine or catalog isn't. Ever.
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