 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: NBeaty
Date: 2010-01-30 23:17
No, they haven't made a good reed (for me, anyway) but they've done well in a few other areas:
I would like to blatantly endorse and recommend the Rico humidity controlled reed cases. I have never had such consistency with my reeds, even compared to normal cases in a revitaliser pack. They are a bit hard to open, but a small price to pay for not having to have plastic bags everywhere!
I also have found the "H-Ligature" to be an excellent product. Almost all of the gold plating had warn off of my inverted bonade ligature, so I thought I'd give this one a go. It produces a very warm sound but still with the bite and clarity of bonade ligatures.
I still haven't found any rico reeds to be satisfactory enough to switch, but these two products are really superb.
Anyone else have similar experiences? (or different ones?)
(I'm in no way affiliated with Rico)
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Author: Iceland clarinet
Date: 2010-01-30 23:24
Yeah durability of the Rico Reed case is very poor. The lock on my 11 year old students case broke within a week of use and the slot inside my case broke after less than 6 months making it pretty usless. The Rico circle sign came also of my case after few months.
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Author: cxgreen48
Date: 2010-01-30 23:25
About the Rico reed cases...
I think this case has been the best for me as far as reducing reed warpage and keeping reeds flat. I haven't really had any trouble opening the case, and I don't see how anyone actually has trouble opening the reed case.
One "negative"(or not?) is that today, I dropped my Rico reed case on the ground, and the reed holder part broke apart from the reed case. Fortunately for me, nothing snapped or broke, so I was able to put it back together with a little force.
One of my friends said that her friends who had the Rico reed case also had the reed holder part come apart. I guess they could try putting it back together like I did though.
I found the H-ligature (gold-plated) to be a good ligature as well. My experiences with the ligature is very similar to NBeaty's. I love the mouthpiece cap that comes with it too.
Post Edited (2010-01-30 23:31)
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Author: super20dan
Date: 2010-01-30 23:31
rico plasticovers! best reeds for me. i even use them on the evil effer! also rico listned abd has reintroduced the amazing metalite mpc! sadly the clarinet model isnt offered. i hope i have given the stuffed shirts plenty of ammo
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Author: NBeaty
Date: 2010-01-30 23:35
I wouldn't want an 11 year old using the reed case, as it would be difficult to open. If I drop my blue vandoren 8 reed case on the ground, reeds EXPLODE from it. The Rico at least STAYS CLOSED.
If it came apart, or if it was used heavily and wore out, they are inexpensive. Not all that dissimilar to vandoren mouthpieces. If you chip one, or the facing becomes warped, you can just buy another one without breaking the bank.
The cases I have seem rugged and well built enough to withstand severe torment, and should last a long time if treated nicely. Hopefully they don't all the sudden fall apart one day and I'll have to retract my recommendation!
THe H-Ligature also seems much sturdier in its build than the Harrison ligatures it copies. And also, they are cheap. Falls on the floor and someone steps on it? twenty bucks gets you a brand new one, no harm done.
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Author: claaaaaarinet!!!!
Date: 2010-01-30 23:39
I really like the cases and humidity control system. I think they work great as far as adding some predictability to how the reeds will feel from day to day. The newer models have an added lip on the side that makes them easier to open. I too dropped one of my cases, and one of the little plastic pegs broke off the interior holder, so now it's permanently separated from the exterior. Same thing happened to a colleague of mine, so I think they might need to address that. Still, a minor problem relatively speaking.
I'll have to give the ligature a try. Any slippage problems like with many of the Bonades?
Post Edited (2010-01-30 23:44)
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Author: NBeaty
Date: 2010-01-30 23:49
I've never had slippage with the bonades (nickel, silver, or gold). I've known a few people that have had slippage with the nickel plated bonade inverted, but with a piece of tape or thin patch on the back of the mouthpiece this problem is usually solved.
The H-Ligature does not slip (for me).
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Author: Ed
Date: 2010-01-31 00:55
Re: slippage on the Bonades. It is due to the slickness of the plating. Lightly sand the inside of the ligature with a light sandpaper. It will grab just fine.
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Author: Clarimeister
Date: 2010-01-31 01:19
Another one up for the Rico Humidity cases. If you want to keep the Vitalizer pack running even longer, do what Mr. Ed Palanker does in that keep the case in a plastic bag. It seems a little redundant, but it really does keep that vitalizer lasting longer than if you just keep it in the case itself. And yes, as far as reed warpage goes, I never have had a warped reed ever again because of Mr. Palanker's excellent web page.
I also enjoy the Rico Reserve Classics but no where neeeeeear as much as I love the Gonzalez FOF's. Excellent reeds!
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Author: OmarHo
Date: 2010-01-31 01:48
Yep, it's not UNCOMMON for the reed-holder part of the reed case to snap off.
I own 2 of these, and both of their reed holders are unattached, but do a fine job.
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Author: cxgreen48
Date: 2010-01-31 01:57
I have a question for those that have had their reed holder part snap off.
Did they actually SNAP off or BREAK somewhere on the plastic? Or did it just come apart like mine? I feel lucky that mine didn't break because it only came apart.
Post Edited (2010-01-31 01:58)
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Author: DixieSax
Date: 2010-01-31 15:38
I like the reed cases and humidity system, although I tend to agree on the durability - would have been nicer with a stronger hinge system.
Also like the inverted H ligature. I've played an original Harrison H lig for years, and keeping my fingers crossed that it never breaks. The new Rico is the closest thing to it that I have found, and can be easily improved with just a little bit of machining.
If you haven't tried the H lig, it's definitely worth a try.
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2010-01-31 16:32
I'd like to thank Clarimeister for his nice comments on about my website page so I won't repeat what he said. I've been using the Rico reed cases, I have two, ever since they came out, I'm a Rico performing artist so they sent me one way back when and I've since bought a second. I've never had a problem with opening them or anything breaking on it. It's just a matter not using excess force. I would not have recommended it to an 11 year old student but if they had been just a bit more careful with it, it should not have broken. Anyway, I love the Grand Concert Think Blanks and the Reserves. ESP http://eddiesclarinet.com
PS. Because I keep my reed cases with the Vitalizer in an air tight bag the Vitalizer lasts much longer. Mine last me over a year each, one is now 18 months old and feels like new, because as I've said many times, I never let them be exposed to the air for more than a few seconds, just enough time to take out the reed I'm going to use.
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2010-01-31 16:56
I'll disagree with that Ed - they are very fragile with that particular pin setup.
That should be metal, not plastic.
I haven't broken mine, but have seen numerous ones that did break. Even with the pin missing, it closes perfectly - you absolutely don't need the pin assemble for it to work fine.
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
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Author: jparrette
Date: 2010-01-31 17:31
Hi All -
1. For me, the H ligature does slip. I went back to my Bay ligatures for that reason.
2. The cap the H ligature comes with has an angled bottom, and won't stand up on its own. :^/
3. The new Rico Reserve Classic reeds are (for me) the best reeds on the planet. I couldn't ask for anything better.
John Parrette
CLARION MUSICAL SERVICES
john@clarionmusical.com
914-805-3388
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2010-01-31 22:54
David, you're probably right about the pin but I use mine reed case an average of twice a day for almost every day for years now and either of mine has broken. I bet I've opened and closed my first one a thousand times by now. I don't use my second one as much, mostly for storage. Maybe I'm just more careful then most or just lucky. I just don't have a problem opening and closing them and have never had the reed holder fall out of the case. ESP
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2010-01-31 23:14
a single drop and that pin breaks. I haven't broken mine either (I have 4 of them), but they should be made of metal or a much thicker pin. Cool thing though is that the pin doesn't even need to be there in the first place.
The holder works as an insert instead of a folding mechanism. And without it being attached it's a lot easier to clean too.
I'd like to see a "case" size as unless you have a bag, it's not going to fit inside a regular size case.
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
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Author: BrianChau
Date: 2010-01-31 23:25
Attachment: IMG_0141.JPG (1167k)
Which pin are you talking about? I don't know if Rico redesigned the case, but in mine, I see a metal pin....
Brian
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Author: cxgreen48
Date: 2010-01-31 23:27
I dropped mine and it didn't break lucky me. And I agree that the reed case needs to be able to fit inside a clarinet case. I had to start using a bag just to have my reed case in there. At least I can start carrying around lots of things now in a single bag.
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2010-02-01 00:10
Are you all talking about Rico's recent reed case, or the Reed Cault, whoch has been around for a couple of years?
Jeff
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Author: cxgreen48
Date: 2010-02-01 01:01
Brian, I think the "pins" that we're talking about are the things that are holding the reed holder part to the case. It's located on the non-Vitalizer side of the reed case.
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