 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Matt_Clarinet
Date: 2013-09-28 04:23
In a box of Vandoren V12 reeds at the moment I am getting anywhere between 20-80% good reeds depending on the box.
But now there are a lot less good quality reeds in each box. From time to time I will get a box with nearly all good quality reeds but that is happening less often now. Often I will have to go through a great number of reeds to find a good one.
Can anyone recommend another type of reed make which you find to be more consistent, durable and has a higher percentage of good reeds in a box?
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Author: Wes
Date: 2013-09-28 05:21
Always, I get 10 very good reeds in a box of V12s. However, I never try them new out of their package. Every reed is wet slightly, sanded a little to remove protruding grain, abd left overnight. This is repeated for four days without even trying the reed. Then, after four days, I try the reeds and sand those as needed to have free blowing reeds.
Do not expect to get perfect reeds from any box without adjusting them. If you can not accept this and learn to adjust them, you could take up the French horn, a wonderful instrument with no reeds. Good luck!
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Author: Ed
Date: 2013-09-28 11:13
I have had good luck with the Rico Reserve Classic and the Grand Concert Thick blank reeds. You don't mention if you work on your reeds, but I always find that a little balancing and flattening go a long way to getting more good reeds that fit my needs.
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Author: Andrez444
Date: 2013-09-28 12:26
I agree with the need to work on reeds irrespective of brands, and actually even reeds which sound pretty good straight out of the box always respond to some TLC and not over playing in the first few days.
Leslie Craven did a super reed review for the CASS magazine here in the UK and I took on some of his feedback and ordered couple of boxes of Marca Reeds.
I find them really refreshing from the Vandoren V12s which I normally would use.
In addition my teacher introduced me to a reed manufactured in Germany called Sinus.
I have gotten on really well with those reeds also, and find they help to produce a full rich sound with clean articulation.
One of the unique selling points of sinus reeds are their longevity,and even though I do rotate 8 to 10 reeds at a time, I have had one loyal land very trusted friend on since the start of a very busy summer.
Experimenting with reeds and set ups is always a nice thing to do once in a while though I am a believer that the player makes the set up work rather than the other way around.
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Author: sonicbang
Date: 2013-09-28 13:00
Matt, I just sent an email for your personal email address, please check it out.
BTW the most consistant reeds I have ever tried are the Gonzalez and the Steuer. They are made from excellent material, but the design is not my cup of tea.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2013-09-28 13:45
When I got beyond the beginner stage in 1958, I switched from brown-box Ricos to purple-box Vandorens. They came in boxes of 12 and 25 and were a big step up. However, only about 5 or 6 in a box of 25 were good enough for performing. I upped that to maybe 12 when I learned to balance and adjust reeds.
However, people complained bitterly that they weren't as good as they used to be. It is ever thus. The grass was greener on the back side of the time fence.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Clarnetamaphone
Date: 2013-09-28 16:41
There's several excellent methods/ instructional systems/tools for working on reeds. No one is at the mercy of what comes out of the box they but off the rack unless they choose to be.
Ridenour Clarinet Products
1-888-AKUSTIK
ridenourclarinetproducts.com
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2013-09-28 20:04
First off all, it depends on how high your stanards are. I've been very happy with the Rico Thick blank and Reserve, I suggest you try all their cuts and see if you prefer one over the others, they have 4 or 5. Of course it helps to break them in properly and learn to make adjustments and everyone has their own method. Mine, on my website, has been very successful for me. There was a time, many years ago, I would just find a good reed and play it but all to often it would change so much the next day or two that it was no good. I began doing my break in method about 30-40 years ago when I started making my own but have been using the Rico brands the past 15 or so years because I like them so much.
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: ruben
Date: 2013-09-28 21:52
I have been very impressed by Pilgerstorfer from Austria. Their cane is of a very high quality. Clark Fobes distributes these reeds in the US.
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
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Author: TAS
Date: 2013-09-28 23:24
I was a lifelong Vandoren addict.
Now, I use the Gonzalez FOF clarinet reeds, 3.5 (they come in quarter strengths).
Of course, your age, aspirations and patience - and the mouthpiece- are all in the equation. I would recommend you give them a try.
TAS
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