 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: emmett1235
Date: 2016-01-26 22:26
Has anyone ever heard of the company Steuer Reeds? I got an offer for 2 free reeds from this company and wanted to know if you all had advice on how they play.
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Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2016-01-26 23:27
IMO, they play very well. I've been using them for the past couple of months. Bob Bernardo, who has recently been posting here after an absence, is the American distributor.
Karl
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Author: dorjepismo ★2017
Date: 2016-01-27 01:18
Steuer has been around forever. Most German players used to use them and maybe still do, although Leister popularized the Vandoren White & Black Masters. Great reeds, and Bob Bernardo is a great guy to buy them from.
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2016-01-27 03:48
Thanks for the compliments folks.
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
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Author: emmett1235
Date: 2016-01-27 04:40
I'm interested to try them, Mr. Bernardo. It's a surprise that a company would give away reeds, but it's definitely a pleasant one. I was also looking in to the Black and White Masters from Vandoren, but again, I've never heard of that line before. I've just always bought blue label and red/green label for my jazz reeds.
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2016-01-27 06:24
Call me Bob! The Vandoren White Masters are German cut reeds, for a narrower German mouthpiece setup. Those reeds are good. The Steuer reeds started making German cut reeds in 1945. Recently they moved the company from Germany to France, maybe 2 or 3 years ago. Bob Marcellus and myself tried to talk the Steuer company into making French cut reeds in the late 1970's, but they refused. Well I stayed in touch with this family owned company and they now make French reeds, but continue to make their famous German reeds, played on by Sabine Meyer, such as the S800 model. David Shifrin uses the Exclusive French cut #4 strength, lots of major college instructors use them. The word is getting out. Some major symphony players are using them, but I don't have their permission to state their names right now. That's my next project.
Steuer just came out with some jazz sax reeds. At the NAMM Convention the jazz players liked them so much they were placing more orders than the clarinet players were. I ran out of reeds. These reeds have only been out for a few weeks. Most of the clarinet players are using the Exclusive reeds and strength wise they compare to the Vandoren V12's. Go to the Steuer French site, not my site and get the free reed offer. I have to buy the reeds just like everyone else, so when I give out free reeds it can start adding up fast.
I'm not saying you will switch to Steuer reeds and never use any other reeds, however I am saying that you will be real happy to know that there is a darn good reed out there that's on par to Vandoren, so you now have a choice. The cost is about the same.
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
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Author: Paul Globus
Date: 2016-01-27 17:06
I can confirm what Bob Bernardo says about Steuer reeds. I've been using them for quite a while now and find them excellent in every way. They are by any measure comparable or better than all other big brands. Plus, the cane is organically grown, which should be of interest to anyone who is concerned about the potential harmful effects of pesticides that are used to grow most arundo donax for commercial purposes.
I doubt that any serious player would be disappointed with Steuer. Bob Bernardo (designer of the Rico Grand Concert reeds back in the day) knows what he's talking about.
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Author: fernie51296
Date: 2016-01-29 21:18
I ordered the offered free sample about a month ago and they never came in. It's too bad as I just got a new mouthpiece and I was curious to see how they'd work on it.
Fernando
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Author: faltpihl ★2017
Date: 2016-01-29 22:27
Where do you find the free sample?
I could not find it on the website.
Regards
Peter
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2016-01-30 00:14
Did not know bob Bernardo designed the Rico grand concert reeds (stated above). Those are some good reeds. My interest has been peaked.....might have to order a box to try them out.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: fernie51296
Date: 2016-01-30 00:30
Peter, I came across the offer on Facebook. I really do hope they come.
Fernando
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2016-01-30 01:15
I just emailed the headquarters, because I didn't know about this either. I became aware of this at NAMM. I should have some information later this week.
Steuer recently came out with a new jazz sax reed so I'm not sure if it was a promotion just for the jazz reeds. I will let everyone know as soon as I hear from France. Sorry for the confusion...
EDIT UPDATE - A message from Steuer Directly as I promised. Thanks, Bob
"The campaign for USA lasted 3 days during the NAMM convention only. The link to the registration form was sent through Facebook and is not available anymore. Now the requests are stopped but the form was available at this address : www.steuer-reeds.eu/samples
Now we have replaced the form by a message saying that the form is paused. People registered to receive 2 reeds of their choice and those samples reeds will be shipped within 15 days from France. For your information, we are working this week-end for preparing the samples. We have added your contact information on the letter for those who want to order boxes."
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
Post Edited (2016-01-30 04:48)
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Author: ABerry
Date: 2016-02-05 07:14
Hi Bob,
I did some research on the Steuer reeds a few years ago I even considered ordering some from Europe to try, but never did.
I have been using 4.5 Mozart reeds for many years and I am wondering how do the Steuer reeds compare with the Mozart reeds as far as the sound, strength and response.
Thank you,
Allan Berry
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2016-02-05 12:40
Hi Allan, I've never played the Mozart reeds. If you wish to send me a 4.5 to play test it I'd be happy to set you up with a comparable strength. If you send a reed I'd probably have it within 2 days, since you are on the west coast.
Thanks for your interest.
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
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Author: fernie51296
Date: 2016-02-06 20:56
I got a confirmation email a few days ago saying my samples have been shipped. I'm pretty excited to compare there to my usual Vandoren cane reeds
Fernando
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Author: Dm Zisl
Date: 2016-02-07 00:02
fernie51296
I got the confirmation, too. Looking forward to it. Too bad, I could only order two samples. I play many different horns and setups.
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Author: fernie51296
Date: 2016-02-07 09:47
I have multiple mouthpieces I'd like to try them on. If these reeds are as good as I'm hoping they are I most certainly will have to order a few boxes.
Fernando
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2016-02-07 10:39
The Steuer company got so many orders for free reeds that they are working overtime. I'm actually out some reed strengths at the moment myself.
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
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Author: Dm Zisl
Date: 2016-02-07 10:49
Bob, thank you and your colleagues for your work. Very curious to try these reeds.
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Author: locke9342
Date: 2016-02-07 23:07
The one downside I've found are that they don't fit in my reed case. Because they are slightly thicker than most reeds it doesn't go all the way in, so I just keep them in their originally paper case
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Author: Dm Zisl
Date: 2016-03-05 11:05
Got 2 sample reeds, one Exclusive for Bb clarinet (#4) and one Jazz for Tenor (#3). Haven't yet tried the tenor one, but I really liked the Exclusive. Compared it side by side to Vandoren V21 #4 (my current regular reed in some 90% of Bb/ A playing situations). It feels different, but on par in terms of quality.
The price though is not quite on par with Vandoren. $30 for 10pk Exclusive reeds - I am getting my Vandoren V21 cheaper, Weiner Music has dropped the price recently even more, but OK, I can survive the $30/ 10pk price if they would really be so much more preferable than the ones I play now.
But that one I don't understand-- $33 for 5 (FIVE) French cut reeds. What's the deal? Don't get me wrong, I really liked what I got for a sample but as a multi-reed player (I dislike the word doubler), I am spending a lot on supplies and technical maintenance of all of my instruments, each of them being very important when I am making all those sounds on them on stage or in the pit. Maybe if the price drops (eventually) I will reconsider purchasing Steuer. For now, I am inclined to maybe buy a pack of Exclusives to really give them a test drive, but no much more than that.
Post Edited (2016-03-05 11:07)
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Author: fernie51296
Date: 2016-03-07 09:53
I see you live in New York. I'm in California and still haven't received my samples. I've decided to finally buy a box of V21 reeds so I guess I'll see how those work out.
Fernando
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2016-03-07 12:40
http://steuer-reeds.eu/en/contact/ The main factory in France.
The main contact person is Thomas. Ask him whats going on. Wish I could help, but I had nothing to do with the promotions. He's a GREAT guy.
You should find that you will get a lot more reeds to play per box, therefore it's actually much less expensive than you think and the reeds should last longer.
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
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Author: fernie51296
Date: 2016-03-17 02:07
I just got my samples today. They sound really nice! I'm very impressed and I'm definitely going to buy a box or two. I'm going to see how these reeds play over time.
I'm just glad they finally came in
Fernando
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2016-03-17 09:48
The Steuer family informed me that there was a customs issue when shipping the reeds. Also they dropped the prices of the sax reeds a lot. The sample reeds are getting out slowly. Bob
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2016-03-18 21:53
Had a great conversation with Bob and look forward to trying these. I think Vandoren reeds are in for tough competition. I think it is great we have these available and think the Steuer company is a class act all the way!
David Dow
David Dow
Post Edited (2016-03-19 19:10)
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Author: nellsonic
Date: 2016-03-18 22:54
I switched from Vandorens a few months ago (after decades). Couldn't be happier.
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Author: fernie51296
Date: 2016-03-29 18:51
After a long dress rehearsal last night with the orchestra I've decided to make the switch from Vandoren. I compared them to V12s, Traditionals, Rue Lepics, and the new V21 reeds. The Steuer Exclusive beat them all. Out of the Vandorens I definitely prefer the V21's followed by the Rue Lepic. But something about the sound quality of the Steuer reeds just made me keep going back to it.
I used these reeds on a few different mouthpieces such as the B40, M13 Lyre and M13. They definitely work better with the more closed tip mouthpieces.
Another thing I noticed was that the Vandoren V21 and Rue Lepic softened up pretty quickly whereas the Exclusive felt pretty much the same through the whole night.
I'm using a Ridenour 576 for Bflat and a Selmer 10G for A.
Fernando
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Author: seabreeze
Date: 2016-03-29 19:47
What strength Steuer Reeds are you using on the M13 and M13 Lyre? Did you try the Classic and the French Universal Steuer models for comparison?
Post Edited (2016-03-29 23:12)
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Author: fernie51296
Date: 2016-03-30 02:59
I only have the Exclusives. Strangely enough, the 3,5 sounds best on my M13 Lyre. I use 3,5+ V21 and V12. The strength chart suggest the exclusives are softer than the V12s but so far that has not been my experience.
On the M13 the Exclusives 4 work better. But I like the way my M13 lyre works with them best. It has a very clean and pure sound, and articulation is great. Which used to be a problem for me in the M13Lyre. I do plan on eventually trying the other Steuer reeds offered.
It's funny, these reeds have made me realize how important the reed is in an overall setup. I've tried so many different mouthpieces and in the end it was a change of reed that blew me away and is finally giving me what I want.
Fernando
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Author: fernie51296
Date: 2016-03-30 03:01
Keep in mind though I'm using a Ridenour 576. They are known for being a bit more resistant than most instruments. Enough so that it could mean a half strength difference to your reed.
Fernando
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2016-04-16 17:56
After getting a box each from Bob Bernardo of Steuer's line of Clarinet reeds I am convinced these are much better than Vandoren in terms of response and cosistency
...the instrument actually plays alot better and this I think has to do with the curing process as well as the nice straight cut of grain these reeds have.
These reeds remind me of the Morre reeds from the seventies...excellent response. I would add that they are certainly going to give Vandoren a run for there money ..so now this for me is the first choice in terms of reed cane for me.
The Exclusive reeds are by far and away the best clarinet reed I have played!
Oh..thanks Bob Bernardo.
David Dow
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2016-04-17 11:26
My pleasure David. My present problem is keeping the reeds in stock. The Steuer company is always back ordered, mainly with the Exclusive 3 1/2 reeds. I'd like to design a special reed for and with the Steuer company that would actually play better than the old Morre' reeds from the 1970's. We've been talking about it, but nothing is set in stone yet. The goal of course is for these reeds to be the best reeds ever made and most consistent, because of the great cane and the great design.
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
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Author: mameshiba
Date: 2016-04-18 07:33
Hi Bob,
Is there any chance that Steuer Reeds will be available in Asia?
Thank You
My son is learning to play clarinet now!
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