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Reeds strengths

Author: Iceland clarinet
Date: 2009-11-02 03:21

I've now been using Glotin GIII reeds #3.5 for 2 1/2 years and I soon need to stock up on new reeds. As they are no longer made I will have to find me something new. I did play the FOF's #3.25 reeds before and still have about over a box left and prior to that Vandoren V-12 # 3.5. Now I did have to sand the GIII a little bit before I changed a mouthpiece and now I only have to do slight sanding. I tried the FOF's I have the other day and they seem to be a bit too soft for me now.

I've always liked the FOF's consistency and the low register but now I feel they are too bright overall and are not delicate enough for ensemble/orchestra playing so they are out.

I remember trying all the 3 different brands of Xilema and really liked the professional cut except they were too soft for me almost over a number(like B should have been almost C+). But I don't remember the strength it was that I tried. Then I have also tried the Rico Reserve two times(before and after I changed my mouthpiece) and did like them a lot the second time but again the 3.5 were too soft.

I have two questions

1. Could anyone who plays the Xilema tell me what size would be close to V-12 4(on the lighter side) or yet better close to the Glotin GIII #3.5 since it's so long time since I've played Vandoren.

2. Is there much difference between Rico Reserve #3.5+ and #4 because when they first came out they did not have the 3.5+ strength.

Reeds are really expensive for me these days because of the crises here and low rate of the Icelandic krona. So I am not able to buy many different boxes to try.

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Re: Reeds strengths

Author: sfalexi
Date: 2009-11-02 10:30

My response isn't (unfortunately) SPECIFIC to either of those questions, but, overall, I would err on the side of a harder reed. It seems from your post that you're familiar enough with sanding and adjusting reeds to lighten them up a bit. Much easier to take away a little wood than to put some back.

So as for your second question, if you're on the fence of a 3.5+ (what I guess would be around 3.75), and a 4, I would get a 4 and then take away a little cane to tailor it to your mouthpiece. Instead of get a 3.5+ and run the risk of having some of the reeds just a LITTLE too light after being broken in.

Alexi

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Re: Reeds strengths

Author: Iceland clarinet
Date: 2009-11-02 13:12

Yeah I think you are right. I have gotten many many concert quality reeds out of sanding even if I have to sand a lot but I've never got much more than practice quality reed out of tapering and clipping.

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