Author: Bob Barnhart ★2017
Date: 2017-12-08 01:45
Based on the comments in this thread, I decided to try the Pilgerstorfer Dolce reeds myself. I usually play VD Traditional #3 on a Kessler-Backun III mouthpiece (1.16xML facing), similar to the Viotto B3, so I thought I'd try a box each of #3 and #3.5.
I tried the 3.5s first and not only were they the right strength for me, out of the 8 I tried, I think I could play 7 in a concert without any adjustment! Mostly I was impressed with "feel", the warm/clear sound, and response of the reeds. The feel is hard to describe, but they seem to provide a nice "cushion" (rather than a restrictive resistance) that I could really blow into at all dynamics over the entire range of the instrument without losing the focus or warmth of the sound. For me, this allows an additional level of expressiveness over my VD Traditional reeds. The only other reeds I've played that had a similar feel were Gonzales GDs and the old Rico Reserve, but they did not have as nice a sound as the Dolces.
The only drawback I've noted as I'm breaking them in is that they seem to play about 5-10 cents low, I sense that this may be a side-effect of the flexibility/cushion that are characteristics of the reed's feel. I can correct for this by taking a bit more mouthpiece or using a 1mm shorter barrel. I think that this characteristic may subside as they break in, but I'm not sure yet.
My best friend and his wife tried a couple of the reeds (he plays a somewhat open Wodkowski and she plays a BD5) and they both really like them on first trial, again mostly the feel of the reed.
Given the feel and pitch characteristics of the 3.5s, I'm not inclined to try any of the #3s as they would (probably) be too soft, and I'm afraid the #4s would be too stiff/restrictive which would impact flexibility/expressiveness. Rather, I think I'm going to try a box of the Morre #3.5 as they are supposed to be just a bit stiffer.
Bob Barnhart
Post Edited (2017-12-08 01:48)
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