 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Becky
Date: 2001-07-04 05:12
Hi,
I normally use Vandoren traditional french cut, strength 3 1/2. Im currently playing on a vandoren m13lyre mouthpiece and buffet r-13. This spring my usual luck with vandoren reeds ran out! They sound okay to horrible and it's now mid-summer. Im looking around for some new reeds to try and possibly soon to become the frequent brand I use. Any suggestions? I just ordered a number of diiferent reeds--to name a few--- Olivieri, Bay Professional, John Dennman,Roy J. Maier, Peter Ponzol, Glotin GIII series reeds,and Alexander Superial reeds. Have you heard of or played on any of these reeds before, and if so, what were your experiences??
Thanks so much!
Beckoclar (Becky)
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Author: Aussie Nick
Date: 2001-07-04 08:45
Of the brands you listed, I have only tried Alexander Superial. I liked them quite a bit, but with my particular mouthpiece I found the 3.5's too soft and the 4's too hard and I wasn't prepared to buy a box of each and find the good reeds. You should also give the new Grand Concert Select Evolutions a go.. I've never been a rico fan but I now like the Evolutions.
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Author: Jonathan (Aus)
Date: 2001-07-04 12:10
Also you could try Daniels reeds and SINUS reeds (I've only tried a couple of the sinus reeds but they seemed to be made out of better cane than vandoren). I've only tried Alexander Superials of the brands you mentioned and found that they didn't work for my setup. Also you should try Zonda reeds but again I found they didn't work for me(others I know really love them though). Additionally you could try Steuer (if thats how you spell it) (pron. as Stoyer) but i've never tried them (but they're next on my list).I second Nick's motion that you should try some Grand Concert Evolutions - I've only played on two of them, but they've been the best two reeds I've ever used so far (well I think I had a Daniels reed once that was just as good but...) and I only adjusted the back of them, ie. both were well balanced. I'm considering swapping to the Evolutions once some more boxes get into my local music store. And I'm taking a few lessons from my teacher on making reeds myself.
Jonathan Farquhar (from Aus)
P.S. If you aren't breaking your reeds in properly then this could be the cause of your problem???
Mind you I think its good to try all brands just to see what works best for you.
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Author: William
Date: 2001-07-04 15:47
Remember that even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while. You should find something that plays with all those boxes you are trying. I would additonally recommend Mitchell Laurie and Marca Tradtiionals when you run out of yor current trial supply. Personally, I find it hard to give up on VanDorens, even though they go through some times of "bad cane," syndrome, they still manufacture (IMHO) the best commercial reed on the market and their biggest problem of inconsitancy may be the players advantage in that there will usually be a least one reed in every box that will seem to be "just right." That is better than getting a whole box of reeds that are consistantly all "almost right." Developing your skills with the reed-knife/dutch rush and sandpaper may help you in your search for "good" reeds. We are not all so fortunate as those "Big League" clarinetists who are able (economically and supplywise) go through boxes of reeds and keep only those which play perfectly without working on them (because, supposedly, they "don't have the time") Maybe that is why so many use VDs (??????) My reeds are VD-12s, 3.5 or 4.0 and I seldom throw any away. Good clarineting!!!!!
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Author: mw
Date: 2001-07-04 19:27
This is a bad time of year for all reeds. We have just made the transition to Summer & have HUMIDITY vs. less humidity in Fall - Winter followed by a Spring that wasn't what other Springs have been in past years in many places.
NOW, we got some humidity & everything is dropping a half-strength. I would tell you to give a couple of V-12's a shot. The 3 1/2's might work right now (but be a tad soft later)since you have been playing Traditionals 3 1/2's (which, IMO, are the equivalent of V-12 4's).
Best,
mw
PS The Alexander Superials (for Classic Clarinet in red tin v. yellow for the brighter model) are great. I find them pretty equal in strength to Vandoren V-12, a tad weaker than a Vandoren Traditional. They seem to lose their "heart" or strength too quickly. Daniel's & Bay are excellent reeds too (buy a 1/2 strength higher)
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Author: Robert
Date: 2001-08-10 14:42
I've played Ponzols before, and I've found they are similar to regular ricos.... I'm surprised your not trying out Mitchell Lurie and Rico Grand Concert Selects.
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