 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: theknittermans
Date: 2019-07-23 21:47
hello! I'm a junior in high school trying to get into All-State and I'm playing around with different reeds over this summer to see what works best. I'm currently playing on a 3.5 Vandoren 56 rue lepic and I'm going to get one of those mix cards where they give you a v.21 and v12 soon. Any recommendations for reeds that aren't vandoren/rico brand? I've never used ones that aren't but I'd like to try. I play on a 3.5 regularly. Thanks!
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2019-07-23 22:03
A colleague of mine who's played assistant principal/Eb in several fine orchestras swears by the Rico Reserve. Personally I had better luck with the Vandoren. I used their standard reed for decades but then went through about eight years with the 56s before finally settling on the V21s. Those have more "backbone" than the standards (like the 56s) but also have more color than the 56s. A perfect blend of the two.
.............Paul Aviles
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Author: Ken Lagace
Date: 2019-07-23 22:06
Reeds have to fit the mouthpiece so try many. Behn Arias are my favorite.
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Author: Fuzzy
Date: 2019-07-24 00:06
I'm another vote for the Marca line. I moved over to them as a test a number of years ago, and never went back. (I had been a lifelong Vandoren fan, then moved to Rico Reserve - both are fine reeds...but for me and my setup now, I'm just a little happier with the Marca line)
Fuzzy
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Author: Doug Leach
Date: 2019-07-24 00:06
I second Ken's recommendation of the Behn Arias. They are wonderful. They run about 1/2 strength softer than V21s, so maybe start with a 4. I also really like the Peter Leuthner French cut Professional as well. They run about the same strength as V21s.
Doug
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Author: Bob Barnhart ★2017
Date: 2019-07-24 00:19
I highly recommend the Pilgerstorfer Dolce reeds (sold both by Clark Fobes and Brad Behn). They are very responsive, have a wonderful pure sound and are very consistent. They run soft so if you are playing a 3.5 Rue le Pic, I would try the 4s. I also like the “Viennese” Exquisit cut (try the 1.5 or 2 for the same resistance as Dolce 4s). These reeds have more of the V12 feel for me—more resistance and darker sound.
As noted above, not all reeds will work well with all mouthpieces or even facings, so you should be prepared to try several brands, cuts and strengths to find what works best.
Good luck!
Bob Barnhart
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Author: ruben
Date: 2019-07-24 18:37
Pilgerstorfer Morré model reeds I swear by.
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
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Author: ruben
Date: 2019-07-24 19:39
Thanks for the Marca tip, Peter. I've never tried them; thought that they were primarily for jazz musicians. What model do you recommend? Thank you.
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2019-07-24 21:20
I love the Steuer reeds too. I prefer 3.5 Exclusive with my D'Addario/Rico Reserve x05.
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Author: Ed
Date: 2019-07-25 04:30
I like the Behn reeds as well. I find most to play quite well right out of the box- great response sound great. The D'Addario Reserve or Reserve Classic are also quite good.
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Author: vintschevski
Date: 2019-07-25 05:10
I could suggest Leuthner French Cut, Steuer and Pilgerstorfer (I like the Pilgerstorfer "Orchestra" reeds). Behn Aria reeds have not worked for me (regrettably, not even on my three Behn mouthpieces). [As a side comment, it's odd that the only reeds mentioned in the Sponsors section of this bboard - Gonzalez Classic - don't seem to have been tried by any contributors to the bboard.]
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Author: Bob Barnhart ★2017
Date: 2019-07-25 05:33
I played Gonzalez GD some years ago. They were very good, but a little pricey. The Pilgerstorfer Dolce/Exquisit work better for me and they are less expensive than most alternatives.
Bob Barnhartu
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Author: dorjepismo ★2017
Date: 2019-07-25 07:16
All been mentioned, but I've had very good luck with Aria, Pilgerstorfer Dolce, and Leuthner French Cut. Always keep all three around, because changes in the weather affect them differently, so having three types gives you a better chance of having something good on any given day.
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Author: Fuzzy
Date: 2019-07-25 07:48
Hi Ruben,
I know your question was for Peter, so I hope you don't mind me chiming in. (Yes, I play jazz.)
I used to use the Marca Pete Fountain model, and it was definitely a jazz reed.
However, I switched to Marca Superieure a few years ago, and it seems like a serious reed which could easily be used for non-jazz purposes. It really slapped me in the face when I tried switching over to it. It reminds me of the 1980s vandorens I use to play on...but a little better/solid.
Again - sorry for barging in, but since Peter hadn't posted yet, I thought I'd offer my personal experience with Marcas.
Fuzzy
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Author: ruben
Date: 2019-07-25 09:38
Thanks Fuzzy! I'll definitely try them out. My friend Tony Coe uses them. I live in Paris and Marca are manufactured in France. Ironically, only one out-of-the-way shop carries them.
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
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Author: John Peacock
Date: 2019-07-25 14:56
I wonder how much use this thread will be: the reeds any individual prefers will be a strong function of (1) the sound they are aiming for; (2) their mouthpiece; (3) their physiognomy; (4) their instruments. Probably all you can do is what I did: go to a site with a big selection (www.reeds-direct.co.uk in my case) and start working through what's on offer, seeing what works for you. I did tend to begin with ones that I'd seen recommended here, but there are many others.
As I said, it's all strongly personal. But I may as well record that I concluded from all this that Vandoren V12's are in a different league from everything else. The only slight exception I'd note is to say that Peter Leuthner gave me a couple of the best reeds I've ever had - but the success rate was low enough that I didn't feel able to persist with them.
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Author: cigleris
Date: 2019-07-26 00:53
Hi Ruben and Fuzzy,
Disclaimer: I am a Marca artist
I use the Marca Excel having tried the Premium. I moved over to them last year after my performance at the ICA ClarinetFest. I used that concert as a test for the samples I’d been sent and was very happy so I signed on the dotted line. I haven’t looked back. The reeds are extremely consistent in tone and pitch, 70-80% work and need little adjustment; I have only opened three boxes since last summer. (Currently on box three). I do a fair amount of playing and they hold up in all situations from chamber music, solo though to orchestral work.
I recommend you try the Excel, Superior and Premium to find the one that works for you. The factory is in the south of France and they grow, harvest, manufacture all on site.
Certainly worth investigating if you’re in the market for something different from the “usual”.
Peter Cigleris
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Author: Fuzzy
Date: 2019-07-26 19:01
Thanks, Peter! I'm super happy with the "Superieure", but if the Excel and Premium might be equally as good, I might give them a go just to compare.
As you mentioned, I've found the Marcas to be long-lasting for me too.
Thanks!
Fuzzy
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Author: ruben
Date: 2019-07-26 20:12
Dear Funzy and Peter, I've just bought a box of Marca Excel...superb! Warm, vibrant and producing a beautiful silky tone. I paid about 21 euros for a box of 10 (reasonably priced). My only warning is that 3.5 strength seem a bit harder than for other brands. I imagine 3 would be equivalent to Vandoren 3.5. I'll go and get a box of 3 strength next week. Many thanks for showing me the way!!
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
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Author: ruben
Date: 2019-07-26 22:57
My very limited experience would indicate they are slightly harder. So a 3 would be a 3.5; as far as the Excel model is concerned.
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
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Author: Kaos
Date: 2019-07-28 00:29
I really like the Rigotti Gold, you can really chose the strength depending of your playing preferences because they have many strengths available besides the usual numbers 2.5, 3 etc. For example they have 2.5, 2.5 light, 2.5 medium, 2.5 strong and so on. They are ready to play just out of the box and pretty durable.
https://www.rigotti.fr/en/article-rigotti-12-32-2.php
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Author: ruben
Date: 2019-07-28 02:08
Kaos: I agree that they're excellent indeed. The cane is very high quality.
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
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Author: John Peacock
Date: 2019-07-28 14:15
How does one translate the Rigotti Gold strengths? They number them just 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3 with Light, Medium, Hard under each grade. Assuming they span the usual range of strengths, so that a 3H is probably a 5 in Vandoren-speak, I'm guessing that someone like me who is used to Vandoren 3.5s would need a 2.5M?
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Author: ruben
Date: 2019-07-28 17:16
John: I buy reeds from a place here called "La Boite à Anches". I'll ask the gentleman that runs the place tomorrow, because he has an elaborate chart giving reed strength equivalences. That said: never mind Rigotti. The Marca Excel I bought last week are fantastic! Careful though: Strength: "Force 3.5" are a bit like Vandoren V12: 4. I'll try "Force 3" next time, which will be tomorrow morning.
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
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Author: cigleris
Date: 2019-07-28 20:53
Jordan,
Hard to tell you really. I haven’t played VD for over 10 years. I would say they are roughly similar and as Ruben has pointed out they might feel a little tougher at first but once broken in they do lighten up slightly while keeping the integrity to the heart of the reed.
Peter Cigleris
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Author: Kaos
Date: 2019-07-29 00:15
@John: if you scroll down the page I linked there is the strength comparison chart, that's the link of the picture
https://www.rigotti.fr/anches-instruments/Comparaisons-anches-clarinettes-V2-1.png
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Author: dorjepismo ★2017
Date: 2019-08-03 23:56
Tried Marca Superiors and Excels, inspired by this thread. Excels seemed a little better for me. This sound was clean, strong and responsive, but seemed a little harder than Arias, Leuthners and Pilgerstorfers; people didn't like it as well. They're definitely harder in strength than Vandoren; at least a half strength, and maybe a whole strength.
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Author: ruben
Date: 2019-08-04 00:06
Dorjep: I agree that the Marca Excel are at least a half strength harder than Vandoren: 3 Marca equals at least 3.5 Vando. They also haven't the softness of sound of Pilgerstorfer. BUT...they are vibrant and smooth. I may not use them all of the time, but will definitely use them often. Acoustics are such a big factor. I wouldn't use them in very bright acoustics, for example.
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
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Author: aalexko
Date: 2019-08-06 12:39
The reeds that I tried that seem to be just as good or better than Vandorens
and I think are still around are Alexander Superial and Zonda #4.
During the 1990s I liked Charles Bay reeds #4 and John Denman reeds,
but I don't think they make them anymore.
Post Edited (2019-08-06 13:44)
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Author: ruben
Date: 2019-08-06 14:41
John Denman reeds are long gone, as is Glotin that made them. It's a pity: they were good.
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
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Author: aalexko
Date: 2019-08-07 00:19
Maybe they were using Glotin cane for John Denman reeds?
The box of John Denman reeds I have says Yamaha Music Corporation
on the back. I talked to someone from Yamaha and told them they
should start making these reeds again.
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Author: aalexko
Date: 2019-08-07 00:20
Attachment: Yamaha.jpg (1570k)
Attachment: JD reed box.jpg (1692k)
Attachment: JD Box letter.jpg (1542k)
Maybe they were using Glotin cane for John Denman reeds?
The box of John Denman reeds I have says Yamaha Music Corporation
on the back. I talked to someone from Yamaha and told them that they
should start making these reeds again.
Post Edited (2019-08-07 00:26)
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Author: ruben
Date: 2019-08-07 00:30
lexco: They were definitely using Glotin cane. I was a friend of John Denman's and used to buy the reeds at Glotin just north of Paris, in the days when it still existed. Yamaha maybe had a dealership, as John played Yamaha and worked with them. Neuranter here in France has taken over Glotin Maybe they're the ones that should be told to manufacture John's reeds again. By all means get in touch with them.
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
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