The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Roger Aldridge
Date: 2009-04-28 00:22
Friends,
Guy Legere was very kind and sent #3.25 and #3.5 Signature reeds for me to try after the #3 that I ordered turned out to be too soft.
The #3.5 Signature works beautifully -- I mean BREATHTAKING beautiful -- on my Grabner K14. The reed has tonal clarity, power, resonance, and effortless articulation. Play it PP or FF or anything in between and it's right there with you. If anyone has doubted how Legere reeds can compare with cane, Signature should put that doubt to rest.
As I described in an earlier message with my initial impressions of the reed, Signature stikes me as being like a delicate brush and Quebec as a broader one. Signature does not give me as thick of a sound as I like so much with Quebec. However, Signatue is a truly impressive reed. I plan to have BOTH Signature and Quebec in my reed case and use the one that's right for the particular musical situation.
Roger
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Author: arundo
Date: 2009-04-28 17:04
Roger:
Thanks for the posting. I use Quebec #3 with my Grabner PERS and have foresworn cane forever. How do they compare as to price?
mark dickman
7738565490
markdickman82@hotmail.com
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Author: Roger Aldridge
Date: 2009-04-28 18:31
Signature is more expensive than the other Legere reeds. According to Guy Legere, the process for making Signature is more difficult. I'm looking forward to the reeds being available in US stores and I can then see the price ranges between the various stores I tend to use. Normally, US store prices for Legere reeds are considerably cheaper than ordering the reeds from the Legere factory.
Roger
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2009-04-28 21:00
According to the gentleman from Legere who contacted me a few weeks ago, they will list at a price US $10 higher than the current reeds. What that means at retail is anyone's guess.
Jeff
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Author: MartyMagnini
Date: 2009-04-28 22:38
Sounds like they will go for around $30 - just like the Forestones. I gave my review of the Forestone's already - really looking forward to the new Legere's. I thought the Quebec cut was a huge improvement over the basic Legere. If the new Signature is as big an improvement, I'll never use cane again!
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Author: Roger Aldridge
Date: 2009-04-28 22:53
No word on bass clarinet. Guy said they are working on a Signature saxophone reed but it's still in development.
It's funny, the more that I compare Signature and Quebec reeds the more I want to play Quebec simply for its sound and tonal texture. I really love its dark thick sound. When I play something else -- even as superb of a reed as Signature -- it doesn't seem quite right to me. The same thing happens when I use a mouthpiece that's not a Kaspar-style...even Walter Grabner's variations of his Kaspars. For me, there's something magical about the combination of a Quebec and a regular Grabner Kaspar. Nevertheless, I'll keep a Signature in my reed case for those times when I need a more delicate brush.
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Author: huff n' puff
Date: 2009-04-29 08:48
Hi, Legere fans............ I have been happily playing the basic Legere reeds for some time, and I also do not see the point in going back to cane.
Here is a (reasonable, I think) question......... If you would give the Quebec reeds 10 out of 10, what would you give the basic Legere reed?
I have not tried the Quebec, but the recent posts tempt me to try one.
If I were to do this, do the strength grades correspond?........... H&P.
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Author: Roger Aldridge
Date: 2009-04-29 13:55
Huff N' Puff,
I cannot give the reeds a numerical rating. It would be like pulling a number out of the air.
What I can tell you is, for whatever reason, I do not like the Regular Legere reed on Bb clarinet. My tonal conception of the clarinet is that of having a darker sound and a thicker tonal core. In this respect, I've found a Quebec reed and a Walter Grabner K14 to be a perfect match for what I want.
For me, Quebec has a better quality of sound and a greater amount of resonance than the Regular Legere clarinet reed. I suggest that you try one and see for yourself if you prefer Quebec or continue to like the Regular version. Strength grades are reasonably similar; however, some players report Quebec being a bit softer than Regular. It's my understanding that Quebec has a similar strength as V12.
Another thing you might do is also try the Ontario reed. Ontario is more like Regular but I think it's an improvement.
Good luck!
Roger
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Author: William
Date: 2009-04-29 14:14
FWIW dept--I have tried the Quebec and Signiture reeds, but still prefer the Trad Legere reeds for my Chicago Kaspar mpc. However, I am currently auditioning a number of Forestone reeds and am experiancing a warmer, more resonant quality of sound with excellant response than with any of my Legeres. The CL 3+ & C- seem to be working best and I look forward to using them at our next symphony rehearsal where I will be helping the wolf chase Peter's cat up the tree with my R13 A. (Just need to learn to run fast enough LOL) But seriously, I would recommend trying the Forestone as an alternative to the Legere--you may be pleasantly surprised as I was.
BTW, Forestone is also developing a bass clarinet reed which I am looking forward to auditioning asap. Currently using Legere #3's on my Grabner CX_BS mpc.
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