 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Maruja
Date: 2021-02-19 15:46
Ever since the European Légere reeds came on the market, the contributers to this Forum seem to prefer them by far to the Signature. I seem to be the exception. I can't get along with the European cut at all - and I have tried them with all my mouthpieces (no fancy MPs - at the moment I am using a BD5). Is it just that I am cloth eared or do I need a better (ie custom made) MP to appreciate the difference?
I would be interested in your thoughts.
Maruja
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Author: Hugues Fardao
Date: 2021-02-19 16:27
Signature sounds great, no doubt, I was pleased to play them because they are responsive, comfortable, but the tip is really too brittle and the reed must be handle with much care.
I switched to European reeds because they are really sturdy, and give me a very good sound with more punch, and are still comfortable.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2021-02-19 17:34
My experience was that they "collapsed" very quickly in use. Sure, they were ok for the first hour or so but soon became flaccid and lost all ability to project in a real world environment.
For the record, John Moses, who helped develop them, says that he uses them and gets great results.
As for me, much like the above post, if I want a reed that performs reliably for the long haul it would have to be the European Signatures. It is also worth mentioning that the Signature Soprano Saxophone reeds are also quite durable and provide a cane like experience. They are just a little different in the strength ratio (you need to come down from the strength you use in European Signatures) and the sound is a little brighter.
..............Paul Aviles
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Author: Maruja
Date: 2021-02-19 18:28
Paul, are you saying that you can use the Signature Saxophone reeds on a clarinet?
Also, both posters, are you saying that the difference is not in the sound, but rather in the longevity/durability? In which case, I don't mind, as I don't play for hours at one go and, also, if necessary, I could swap the reed for a fresh one...
M
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Author: kdk
Date: 2021-02-19 18:49
Paul Aviles wrote:
> My experience was that they "collapsed" very quickly in use.
> Sure, they were ok for the first hour or so but soon became
> flaccid and lost all ability to project in a real world
> environment.
>
It's always hard to account for different individual experiences. I found this to be the case also for the Euro Signatures - I'd have to swap them out after just about an hour. I suspected it had to do with the warmth of the breath I was blowing over it softening the plastic slightly.
I'm curious that there might be a difference in the basic plastic material between Signature and Euro Signature or among any of the different models. I always assumed the differences among models were in the profile.
Karl
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2021-02-19 20:21
First, YES.....the Legere Signature Soprano Sax reeds are great on clarinet.. I'll repost Ricardo Morales' video when I get home.
For MY money, the Bb Signature reeds are thin sounding AND too flaccid to work properly.
My theory of the success of the European cut is that it is a combination of the type of plastic (varies from one model to another amongst Legeres) and the over all architecture (usual reed dimension issues such as vamp, etc) as well as the overall dimensions. This would account for some of the differences between the European cut and the Signature Soprano Saxophone reeds which are a significantly shorter reed.
..............Paul Aviles
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2021-02-19 21:18
Ok, Legere took down a really nice little video of Ricardo Morales talking about their reeds. In it, he refers to using a quarter strength SOFTER Signature Soprano Saxophone reed to match what he uses in the European Signature cut strength. Maybe they just want to use material that uses the current nomenclature (just "European Cut" now). OH WELL
I referred earlier to a "strength ratio." I believe that the differential does vary with the facing you use. I have a tendency for really short facing mouthpieces (14mm) and with that, I have found that the difference in strength can be as much as 3/4 softer in the Signature Soprano Saxophone reeds (used on clarinet).
............Paul Aviles
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Author: kilo
Date: 2021-02-19 22:29
I never really cared for the Signature line, even though, based on the hype, I really wanted to like them. Mind you, this is on tenor sax and bass clarinet as I never saw any reason to try them on soprano clarinet. I really like the slightly wider European Cut with the "power spine" running down the middle of the vamp. But here's the thing — if you get good response on a Yamaha 4C and Rico orange box reeds, play them proudly. Lots of players like the Signature reeds; or at least they said they did when Legere introduced them. If you know that a reed is working for you there's no need to second guess your choice, especially since you've tried the European Cut and found it lacking.
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