 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: jacoblikesmusic
Date: 2010-04-16 02:31
A few quick questions just for information.
What type of reeds do you use?
What's the mouthpiece that you use?
What do you use/techniques to adjust reeds/break in process?
How many out of a box can you get to play?
Any information on why you prefer that reed would also be appreciated.
Post Edited (2010-04-16 02:34)
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Author: reddog4063
Date: 2010-04-16 03:39
vandoren 3# traditional "blue box"
clark fobes debut
short 15 minute play in for a week then im fine using it for full length sessions, 3-4 reed rotation
8 out of 10, easy
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Author: jacoblikesmusic
Date: 2010-04-16 04:05
Oh I forgot me,
Vandoren Traditional 3 1/2, Gonzalez F.O.F. 3 1/2
Grabner K13*, Vandoren M13
Ridenour ATG system, occasional reed knife. Rotate around 7 reeds. Use the process where I start each read by soaking in water for a few seconds, playing a minute or two. Gradually increasing time.
I can usually get around 3-4 performance ready, 3 duds, and 3-4 for practice.
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Author: anneh
Date: 2010-04-16 04:51
What type of reeds do you use? Vandoren V12 #3 when in shape, Mitchell Lurie 3 1/2 when I have to play and am not in shape!
What's the mouthpiece that you use? Vandoren B30
What do you use/techniques to adjust reeds/break in process? Soak reeds in water until thoroughly wet (but not soaked) let dry on a piece of glass for a day. Re-wet, polish the bottom of the reed on glass with extremely fine sand paper. Play test, separate the ones that play right off the bat from the ones that don't, do some adjusting on the ones that don't with a reed knife. I number my reeds and put codes on them (hard, soft) and rotate them in and out of playing.
How many out of a box can you get to play? This of course varies, but I can usually make most reeds at least somewhat playable. They change with time and playing. I will leave the duds out on my reed desk and try them once in a while--sometimes I can resurrect them.
When I was in college about 30 years ago, my teacher suggested buying an extra box of reeds every time and putting it away to age. I still have many boxes of the old Vandorens in the purple plastic rectangular box, but they are all size 5, which I don't use anymore!
Anne
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Author: Clarimeister
Date: 2010-04-16 06:34
1. I currently play on Rico Reserves strength 4 on my Bb/A, Gonzalez FOF 3 1/4 on my Eb and Legere 3's on Bass.
2. I play on a wonderful hand made mouthpiece by Mr. Mike Vaccaro (His M&M line) for my Bb/A Facing is a close facing around 1.01mm tip opening. I play on another handmade mouthpiece crafted by Gregory Smith for my Eb clarinet. And, I play on a B44 for Bass.
3. Simply put, I have read, and read, and read, and read about reed conditioning everywhere by pros and amateurs to get an idea of what people do. Then, I came across Mr Tom Ridenour's video on his idea, and the key is to balance your reeds RIGHT out of the box when you start "conditioning them." I use the ATG finishing system and techniques which work fabulously. I do not really condition them like gradually playing to make them stabilize or anything. I play the reed after balancing and making feel comfortable for as long as I want, then just rub down the vamp after wards for a few days each time after playing it. My reeds have lasted me weeks of doing this process, so it works. But as Mr. Palanker and many others have said in the past, what works for someone may not work for you. Just got to really try things for yourself and use your best judgement. I also use the Reed Wizard every few days, including right at the beginning.
4. I can usually get every reed out of the box to play. But, not every reed out of the box can play WELL. I typically find maybe one dud every couple of boxes of five Rico Reserves. Most of the time they all play well. But like in a box of Vandorens, I can get maybe 6-7 that play very well after adjusting, a couple I can use for Eb clarinet and maybe a couple just the plain get the wall test.
I use Rico Reserves simply because they are the closest feeling to Vandoren V12s IMO. The Vandorens usually play very well, however they can be extremely inconsistent not only in strength and sound, but in age as well!! The last few boxes I bought when I played V12s, I got about 3 reeds EACH BOX that were still greenish. Yuck. They havent aged long enough. So I gave in and tried other reeds and settled with the Rico Reserves. I'm not a fan at all of the Rico Reserve Classics - they just have a certain resistance to them that I do not like. I love Gonzalez FOF's mainly for Eb because of the awesome sound and consistency and light adjustment needed for them. However, on my Bb mouthpiece the high register was too bright, but the low register was awesome. I may, or may not try to go back to them and see if I can get that high register to not be so buzzy sounding. For Bass I love Legeres simply because they sound awesome compared to cane for low reed instruments. No need to adjust anything and once you find the right strength, its consistent. I love consistency as you can tell Hope this helps you out.
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Author: RoBass
Date: 2010-04-16 11:28
> What type of reeds do you use?
Rico Royal 2-3
Foglietta 'F and 'G 2-2,5
Arundos Manon 2-3,5
> What's the mouthpiece that you use?
Rico B5, Selmer C*, Rico LaVoz, Amati 4 (German bore), some standard and handcurved older MPCs from France and Germany (openings from 0,8mm to 1,05mm, curve length from 16mm to 25mm)
> What do you use/techniques to adjust reeds/break in process?
1. Two times presoaking/drying procedure before first playing
2. 5-10min longtones in chalumeau before throating (my typical lesson start procedure;-)
> How many out of a box can you get to play?
appr. 100% (sometimes a litle bit postfinished to the special MPC demands with a 1/1000 scraping stone), Vandoren White Master (before used) gave <30% good, 20% ok, but rest was scrap
> Any information on why you prefer that reed would also be appreciated.
only valid for Arundos and Foglietta: durability, quality, sound
kindly
Roman
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2010-04-16 13:38
Reeds:
Rico Reserve 3.5
Mouthpieces:
Gregory Smith Chedeville 1++
Walter Grabner K13
I get around 80% or so playable reeds per box.
Standard breakin over a week or so, then minor adjustments as needed with ATG system.
I like the Reserves and the tone they allow me to produce with minimal fussing with the reeds. So far, they have been nicely consistent. For emergencies, I keep a legere Signature and a couple of Quebec 3.5 reeds in an extra case. I recently obtained a box of the Rico Reserce Classics, and will be trying them out after my nest band conert.
Jeff
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Author: janlynn
Date: 2010-04-16 14:20
Reed: Traditiona Vandoren #3
Mouthpiece: Vandoren 5RV Lyre
Break-in method: play each one a few minutes a day increasing the time for several weeks polishing each one inbetween playing. never got the hang of adjustments. now I just play what works out of the box. If it doesnt play to my liking I dont use it.
number of reeds playable for practice 3-4 but usually have 1 or 2 favorites.
number of reeds for concert or recital 1-2
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Author: William
Date: 2010-04-16 14:27
Reeds: A, Bb, C & Eb clarinets--FORESTONE; Alto & Tenor Sax--FORESTONE; Bass clarinet--Legere (only until Forestone develops one)
Mouthpiece(s): A, Bb & C--Chicago Kaspar #14; Eb--Selmer HS**; Alto Sax--Gregory "Hollywood"; Tenor Sax--Guardala "Studio"; Bass Clarinet--Walter Grabner CX_BS
Reed Prep: None needed; Forestones always play perfectly all the time;
No need to buy boxes of cane reeds to find a few "good" ones--after determining the correct strength of Forestone, just buy one and it will last indefinately. I'm still occassionally using some original F3s that I got almost a year ago. The new array of Forestone strengths--2 to 5 in half grades--are much more compatable with the popular cane brands making reed choice much easier. For my Kaspar, I use F4's. On my sax mpcies, which are more open, F2 to F2.5's work best. I am a classical clarinetist who also plays jazz & swing.
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Author: salzo
Date: 2010-04-16 15:29
Vandoren V12 4.5
Gigliotti P facing, vandoren m13
I use a perfecta reed, reed knife, and a tool I made for working on tip.
Play on reeds for 2 weeks, a few minutes a day before they are ready to play.
I play on just about all of the reeds in a box, though some are Ok, others are great.
I prefer the V12 4.5 because it plays the best for me. I used to use 4s, but they did not last as long, and I had to be too "careful" when playing on them. The 4.5s give me much more flexibility. THey take longer to break in, but they sound better, and last much longer.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2010-04-16 16:16
Rue 56 #4
Today, Pomarico Ebony 1L
three minute total immersion in water; five minute play for thee days
At least six, sometimes eight
...............Paul Aviles
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2010-04-16 16:57
Legere 3.25 work for me on my Borbeck 13.
Some break-in is needed but that's usually taken care of during rehearsal and teaching...
I've been tempted to try the Forestones but haven't gotten around to it yet.
Why? I'm lazy (don't want to spend time working cane) and don't like the unpredictability of cane.
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Author: NBeaty
Date: 2010-04-16 17:14
Vandoren V12 3 or 3.5 (wish they made a 3.25)
Sometimes Legere signature series 3.5
Kaspar 12
Ridenour ATG
"Forestones always play perfectly all the time"
I don't know what to say to that except I'm HIGHLY skeptical when someone says this about a reed...
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Author: Bassie
Date: 2010-04-16 22:06
What type of reeds do you use?
Xilema 'Professional' C
What's the mouthpiece that you use?
Vandoren B45 Dot, Rovner Dark
What do you use/techniques to adjust reeds/break in process?
None. Maybe I take it easy the first couple of times.
How many out of a box can you get to play?
All of them.
Any information on why you prefer that reed
Tone, tone, tone. And ease of articulation, can't sacrifice that.
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Author: Barry Vincent
Date: 2010-04-17 03:47
Well then NBeaty , try em for yourself , you MAY be pleasantly surprised.
Skyfacer
Post Edited (2010-04-17 03:48)
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Author: Connor
Date: 2010-04-17 04:40
Reeds:
Rico Reserve 3 1/2+ & 4's, Xilema Artesana D & D+
Mouthpiece:
Behn Vintage C, tip opening about 100
Break in:
Before playing on any of my reeds, I will take one or two boxes and dip each reed in water for only about a second, wipe off all excess water, put the reeds back in there original cases and place them in a plastic bag with humidipacks. I will do this every other day for two weeks. I feel this helps stabilize reeds and increase the overall life span of my reeds.
When breaking in reeds, I play no more than 2-5 minutes on each reed for about a week and a half until the reeds resist absorbing excess moisture.
Reed life: Its a reed, so 2 weeks to two months.
# Reeds per box:
playable (I like my sound, but wont use this reed in a concert) 20-40%
concert/recital: 10%
MM. Clarinet Performance University of Texas at Austin (2012).
BM. Clarinet Performance University of Northern Colorado (2010).
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Author: dansil
Date: 2010-04-17 13:23
Forestone 3 1/2 for Bb and Legere Signature on bass but will check out the new Tenor sax Forestones as they SHOULD fit.
none of my Forestones have died in the past 12 months although I have "killed" a few with accidents! Have also split a Legere Signature - just too careless!
These Forestones are very economical in the long run and NO preparation. Nobody has complained about their tone (with my Leblanc L7, Vandoren 45)
Danny Silver
........back in Oz
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Author: Chris J
Date: 2010-04-17 13:41
Soprano:
Alexander Classique 3
Ralph Morgan RM15
Alto:
Vandoren blue box 2.5
J&D Hite
Bass:
Vandoren Blue box 2.5
Walter Grabner CX_BB_PERS
Reed finishing = ATG system
Unusual not to get 100% playing out of the box, adjusting every reed that comes out of the box. Usually a few seconds adjustment but could take up to a couple of minutes
Chris
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2010-04-17 14:18
> What type of reeds do you use?
Mitchell Lurie 3.5 (indoors), Selmer Primo (aka Gonzalez) 3.0..3.5 (outdoors). I have two Légères for Bad Reed days.
> What's the mouthpiece that you use?
Mitchell Lurie M2, Fobes Debut, Behn Ouverture, Bundy Signature (choosing them as I see fit)
> What do you use/techniques to adjust reeds/break in process?
I suck it in my mouth while I undo the old reed. Then I fasten the fresh one and get going. I have about two reeds in staggered rotation.
> How many out of a box can you get to play?
All of them unless it's DOA.
> Any information on why you prefer that reed would also be appreciated.
I like their unfiled texture in my mouth. And their tone's good.
--
Ben
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Author: William
Date: 2010-04-17 14:22
"Forestone 3 1/2 for Bb and Legere Signature on bass but will check out the new Tenor sax Forestones as they SHOULD fit."
FWIW, I have tried the new Forestone tenor sax reed on my bass clarinet mouthpiece (Grabner CX_BS) and it DOES fit nicely. However, it does not play as well as it should and I await Forestone to actually market a reed specifically designed and configured for the bass mouthpiece. Based on the quality of their other reed products, I have no doubt that it, too, will be a winner.
BTW--the new Forestone alto & tenor sax reeds play nicely and I am now using them exclusively on both of my Selmer instruments. In fact, with all of my clarinet & sax playing, I am now CANE FREE and lov'n it.
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Author: grifffinity
Date: 2010-04-17 17:28
Reeds:
Vandoren Blue box #4 and Gonzales RC #4. I tend to use Gonzales in the fall/winter and Vandoren in the spring/summer. Gonzales cane is so dense I even find the 3.75's too stiff during humid months. It's a great winter reed though, where the Vandorens are way too thin at the tip and dry out easily in low humidity.
MPC: I have two Gennusa MPC's. A vintage Iggy original GE* and a Redwine Excellente GE. Gonzales and the vintage Gennusa don't match well and I only use Vandoren's with that MPC.
Break In Process: No longer have one. I found soaking reeds only seems to make them warp. Vandorens and Gonzales are very different though - I find I can play Vandorens straight from the box for 15 minutes. When they get too saturated I play another, etc. I go through about 3 or 4 in a box at a time depending on how many decent reeds I have on hand. After a few days I can play on a newish reed for a couple hours before it starts to over saturate at the tip. In a box of Vandorens there is usually one too hard dud and one too soft dud. On average I find 8 out of 10 are usuable to different degrees.
Gonzales - I can usually get all 10 to play eventually, but they can be so stiff at first. In my experience a Gonzales that plays straight out will eventually go too soft. If you find Gonzales easy to play new, you may have to go up a .25 in strength. I find I make adjustments on Gonzales much sooner than Vandorens. Again, I don't soak in water, but break them in through playing. I do have to wet them in my mouth longer than Vandorens. A Gonzales will last for a long time - 1 box a year (appox. 6 months) and usually a few left over from the year before.
All adjustments are made with a reed knife (Sides) and on rare occassion a tiny rip of sandpaper (600 grade) for the heart. I avoid the tip like the plague and I don't trim soft reeds -save them for a humid mid summer day. If it's mid summer and the reed's still too soft, trash it. Likewise, a hard reed in the summer may be perfect in the winter when the humidity is nil.
Post Edited (2010-04-17 17:32)
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Author: hammer_sickle01
Date: 2010-04-17 18:02
-Reeds Australia: Passion 3.5, Vintage XL 4
-Bay Artist Model M-M H2
-Fool around with each reed out of the box for a few mins, examine the heart against the light. Pick out 5 with best response, and then I'll maybe play on them for about 10-15 mins a day for a week... I don't usually time it out, I simply make sure I go through all 5 during my normal practice session. I usually have to trim the Vintage XL reeds (to accommodate my mouthpiece) and use rush to balance it out.
-At some point, all of them (10/10). I've recently been using the ATG system on those initial "unplayable" reeds. Of course, there will always be reeds that I would never play at a performance or recital, but they are playable and do just fine during rehearsal/practice.
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Author: CWH
Date: 2010-04-17 22:30
What type of reeds do you use?
Legere Signature Series #3.5
What's the mouthpiece that you use?
Vandoren M15 or Eddie Daniels #1
What do you use/techniques to adjust reeds/break in process?
Having switched to the LSS, I don’t have to worry about any of those issues. It's refreshing to concentrate on the art of playing and not the all consuming problem of adjusting, finishing, and breaking in cane reeds.
How many out of a box can you get to play?
That's the great thing about these new LSS reed, consistency. Everyone plays exactly the same, how refreshing.
Study, Practice, Play and Enjoy.
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Author: Fishamble
Date: 2010-04-18 10:28
What type of reeds do you use?
Vandoren V12 3.5, Rico Reserve 3.5 for Bb and Eb (cut short);
Vandoren bass 3.5.
What's the mouthpiece that you use?
Grabner K13e for Bb;
Vandoren B40 for Eb;
Selmer C for bass.
What do you use/techniques to adjust reeds/break in process?
Suck on them daily for a week. 5 min to 15 min to 60 min over 2nd week. Rotate 7 - 8.
How many out of a box can you get to play?
80 - 90% of V12s, 100% of Rico reserves.
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Author: GLHopkins
Date: 2010-04-18 18:23
Vandoren blue box 5
Vandoren V-12 4-5
Vandoren B45
Bay M-O-M
Rovner dark
8-12 in rotation
Play a new reed 10 minutes 3 or 4 times, re-surface underside and adjust until I screw it up and start over.
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Author: concertmaster3
Date: 2010-04-19 12:24
1. Canyes Xilema Artesana D+
2. Genussa GE
3. Generally don't need to adjust, but ATG system on the tip just for security.
4. So far 10 of 10 out of a box.
Ron Ford
Woodwind Specialist
Performer/Teacher/Arranger
http://www.RonFordMusic.com
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2010-04-19 15:10
I use Rico Grand Concerts Thick Blanks as well as Reserves and Classics all #4. I also make my own now and then. On Bass clarinet I use Rico Grand Concerts
#3 1/2. I have a few pages on my website devoted to breaking reeds in and adjustments etc. ESP http://eddiesclarinet.com
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