 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Steve L
Date: 2011-11-21 10:19
Just received my first Forestone reed, its a 3.5 and its way too soft. I normally use a Rico reserve classic 3.5 and most of them play reasonably well straight from the box. I want to order the correct strength Forestone but this 3.5 plays more like its a 2.5 or weaker. Based on what I normally use can anyone experienced with Forestone reeds give me some hints on what strength I need. I currently use a Yamaha 4c custom mouthpiece.
Thanks
Steve
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Author: Buster Brown
Date: 2011-11-21 11:48
I play a Gonzalez 3-3/4 or a Vandoren V12 3-1/2. I ended up getting a Forestone 5. It was about right. You can sand and clip them. If you contact Forestone, they will replace the reed with a more appropriate strength. Early last year they changed how the reeds were manufactured (even the color changed) and they started producing much softer reeds. On my alto I used a 3-1/2 on the fist version of Forestone. With the new reeds I use a 4-1/2. I've complained to them several times about the strength issue. I'd suggest you do the same.
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2011-11-21 16:24
My equivalence: Vandoren V12 3-1/2 requires a Forestone 4.5 or 5.
They seem to be considerably softer than a cane reed of a similar rating number.
Bob Phillips
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Author: kdk
Date: 2011-11-21 17:48
Interestingly (at least to me), the change in strength doesn't seem to have been caused by a change in physical dimensions. Measuring an old C3+ I bought when the Forestones first came out and a both a 4-1/2 and a 5 of the newer stock, the dimensions are for practical purposes identical - newer ones are actually slightly thicker at the very end of the vamp where the "bark" starts, but not enough, I don't think, to make a difference in resistance one way or the other. Since the cut is virtually unchanged, they must have changed the way the basic material is made (which would be consistent with the color shift).
Karl
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Author: Steve L
Date: 2011-11-21 19:56
Thanks for the replies. I might try a 4.5 and see where I go from there. Then again I might go down the Legere route. Which of the two would be considered the better bet? A lot of contributors to this board seem to swear by Forestones but if their product has changed.........
Post Edited (2011-11-21 21:15)
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Author: kdk
Date: 2011-11-21 22:25
Steve L wrote:
> Which of the two would be considered the better bet?
It still depends completely on who is placing the bet.
Karl
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