 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: allencole
Date: 2010-05-24 16:11
I've just test-driven a couple of reeds from a Swiss upstart called Benz. I used the #4 "Supreme Comfort" for a pit gig and the #4 "Supreme Power" for a Klezmer gig.
Impressions: At an MSRP of over $35 for a box of 5 reeds, I expected a lot.
The Supreme Comfort model provided an amazingly even timbre and effortless, whisper-soft altissimo. My fingers felt like they'd been set free from prison. But almost no tip strength! Hard to project at higher volumes without the sound spreading and pitch dropping. This is using a #4 (their hardest strength, I think) on a Greenline with a Portnoy BP02 mpc.
On the klezmer gig, the Supreme Power had all the same positive traits plus the ability to really scream. However, recordings of that gig indicate a more spread, less focused tone.
Got better-rounded performance and cheaper prices Vandoren V12 and 56 Rue #4's.
Have saved all my Benz reeds and may try them again after clipping the tips.
Anyone else have experience with Benz?
Allen Cole
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