 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: William
Date: 2010-09-03 14:31
For anyone insterested, here is a link to Danzr, inc with lots of info:
http://www.allbusiness.com/entertainment-arts/entertainment-arts-overview/14913752-1.html
Perhaps VD is finally getting the "message" that their reeds have serious competition in the world market and users have legitimate concerns regarding recent declines in quality. As Iceland suggested, not much--but at least, something is better than nothing, which is what most of VD's customers have been getting in recent years. Please note that (as one clarinetist who has forever given up on cane reeds--in particular V12's--in favor of the new synthetics from Japan) this is just my opinion........
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Author: EEBaum
Date: 2010-09-03 15:13
Hmm... it doesn't say how far back the purchases can be from. I have about 30 boxes in my drawer, could dig up a bunch of old WWBW invoices.....
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
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Author: Iceland clarinet
Date: 2010-09-03 22:36
I have tried over 20 types of reeds(including all the Vandoren types,all the Marca reeds except the Pete Fountain,All the Xilema,Rico Reserve,Mitchell Lurie,Grand Concert Select Evolution,Reeds Australia Vintage and XL,Zonda,Gonzalez FOF,Alexander Superial and DC,Peter Leuthner professional,Foglietta F and G,Neuranter,Sinus from Pflaumer,AW 302,Légere(don't remember the type),Glotin GIII,Rigotti Gold) and I have to say I always come back to Vandoren V-12.
They are most even in sound and playable out of the box but as with all reeds I do need to adjust them,prepare and break-in. The only reeds that I like as much are the Glotin GIII and I have few boxes of them left but unfortunately they are not made anymore. They are not too good out of the box but after a slight adjustment they really are fantastic.
The only thing I do like better about the V-12 is that a great V-12 has richer sound than the GIII.
The worst of the reeds I've tried are all the Marca plus the Rico Reserve. The Marca had terrible quality cane(except the premium FG they were ok) and the 3 boxes of Reserve I've tried were all over the place in strength grade and they changed a lot from day to day even with careful 5-7 day break-in and such :(
The cane,stability and reed strength consistency is great on the Gonzalez FOF but I just don't like their profile which is similar to the Vandoren Rue Lepic. Nice low register but too bright and free-blowing upper register so all in all not as even as V-12 or Glotin GIII.
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Author: William
Date: 2010-09-04 15:02
Yikes, Iceland, sounds like you've gone through all the reeds on your island. I presume you tossed all the bad ones into your volcano--or like me, gave them the "wall test". But seriously, like you, I've tried many brands of cane reeds and always returned to the Vandorans because--for all of their inherent inconsistancies--a good one simply was a joy to play. And, although I've now settles on Forestones for many reasons I have expressed on other threads, if I were to return to cane, it would probably be the V12, with Rico Reserve being a close second. However, that puny rebate offer is not enough to make me want to come back to the hassels of cane. Now, my great joy is to be able to play my clarinet without first having to find a great reed.
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Author: Iceland clarinet
Date: 2010-09-04 16:41
The inconsistency in strength is really easy to cope with. I use the ATG system and it works best on reeds that are a bit too hard not on those that are slightly too hard or right out of the box. So the V-12# 3.5+ was just what I needed and now I can adjust all the reeds to be like I want without having to sand them a lot.
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Author: William
Date: 2010-09-04 17:14
I'm happy for you, Ice. However, all I have to do now is open the box from Japan, put my new Forestone on my mouthpiece and it plays right away--just as good as the best V12 I ever had. Plus, it lasts a long time. In fact, I am still able to use the first F3+ (old model) clarinet reed I first used in May, 2009 for a performance of Peter & the Wolf. They do soften a bit with use, but none of my F's have completely died yet (like all of my former cane reeds have :>). Sorry for getting off the rebate subject--I'll "shut my case up" now.........
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Author: Iceland clarinet
Date: 2010-09-04 17:30
Do you feel like you get all the overtones with the Forestone because when I tried the Légere I just found the sound to be just plain "dead".
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Author: William
Date: 2010-09-05 01:27
I feel the same as you regarding the Legere sound. To my ear, even when played by some very good players, it's sound is thick, dead and the articulation "thuddy"--especially in the upper registers. With my Forestones, it a much richer sound with excellant articulation throughout all ranges--even up to that final gliss to C7 in the Artie Shaw Concerto. My F5 delivers every time and allow me to be as musical as I am capable. If I ever give up on Forestones, I will definately return to the V12's which come the closest. But, really, I think.....NOT.
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