 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Jaytm92
Date: 2011-10-06 12:05
I'm trying to decide on new reeds (which are affordable) and found these Gonzalez F.O.F reeds. I haven't ordered any yet but wanted to know if anyone has tried them?
I am currently using Leuthner Professional Cut reeds, but have gone up in price on reeds-direct (they say the original £18 was a mistake and are now £27)
If anyone could give me advice that would be fantastic. I'm trying to stay away from Vandoren. I'm sick of their inconsistency.
Thank you everyone!!
Post Edited (2011-10-06 12:06)
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2011-10-06 13:06
Lots of people use Gonzalez, they're amazing. People could go on and on here about the differences but you just have to try them. Order a box, at the very least I think you'll find them usable even if you don't order any more boxes.
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Author: clarinetguy ★2017
Date: 2011-10-06 13:20
I didn't have great luck with them. I found that some played well out of the box, but "lost it" quickly. They seem to be very susceptible to changes in humidity. When playing these reeds, the more humidity the better.
Many people have great success with the FOFs, and they might work very well for you. If you try them, be very patient. Break them in slowly and be sure to
store them in a humidity-controlled reed case.
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Author: weberfan
Date: 2011-10-06 15:58
I experimented with F.O.F.'s for a while. Some worked some didn't. My biggest problem was finding consistency and comfort within a strength level.
I usually play a V12 3.5 (sometimes 3.5+) or Rue Lepic 3.5+. I've found the Vandorens to be more consistent.
I've also come to believe that reed frustrations have many causes. So try a box of F.O.F.'s. They may work wonderfully for you.
Post Edited (2011-10-07 10:53)
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Author: jvanullen
Date: 2011-10-06 17:30
I have played the Gonzalez F.O.F and found them to be fairly consistent, but they never lasted long for me, even when in a healthy rotation. I would highly recommend the Rico Reserve Classic (purple box). They are one of the most consistent reeds I've ever played on.
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Author: kdk
Date: 2011-10-06 17:38
FWIW, I tried one box each of two different strengths a couple of years ago and found them consistently stuffy. But this is *so* dependent on your mouthpiece and embouchure style that you really can't go by other players' reactions, especially if you don't know their playing. Buy a box or two and see what *you* think of them. The trick is to hit the right strength. My impression was that they ran a little stiffer than the same strength of V12, but that may even have been the run of cane they were using that month.
There's no really inexpensive way to explore equipment changes - you just have to take a breath and invest the money if you want to find your best fit.
Karl
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Author: LJBraaten
Date: 2011-10-07 22:52
I am having similar problems with a 1999 box of FOF, 3.25 strength. First one played beautifully, good tone, easy. Second one was like a Popsicle stick. Third one was good, although not as good as the first. I put them away for a month, the first one now is a bit stuffy, and the third one is like a popsicle stick (comparable to the second). I am gravitating toward Mitchell Luries, the two I've tried played easily from the first time they touched the mouthpiece, have great tones as well. Meanwhile I'll moisten and carve the FOFs.
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Author: cigleris
Date: 2011-10-08 09:56
I would stick with Peter's reeds. They are the most consistent by far. The price has always been £27 since I started using them back in 2009 when Howarth first got them in.
Peter Cigleris
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Author: William
Date: 2011-10-08 18:08
FWIW, after having played on most commercial brands of cane reed--mostly V12 3.5s--and never finding any brand to be consistent in strength from box to box nor consistent in performance (tone quality & articulation), I have permanently switched to the new synthetic reeds by Forestone. They are consistent, are always ready to play and they far outlast anything cane, almost indefinately in my experiane over the past two years. I play them on all of my clarinets and saxophones and have not had to buy any boxes of reeds for over two years.
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