The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Lisa L
Date: 2001-08-04 03:05
hello all,
i have heard of some south american reeds called Zonda, or something like that. has anyone on this bulletin board used them? and where can they be obtained?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Drew
Date: 2001-08-04 03:11
Zonda's are my favorite reed. They can be obtained from most of the major mail order houses, i.e. Woodwind & Brasswind, International Musical Suppliers, Muncy, Weiner, etc.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: William
Date: 2001-08-04 04:12
IMHO--I do not like them. While they play well initially and are consistant, they do not have the quality of sound nor the durability of VanDorens.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: mw
Date: 2001-08-04 04:26
I have tried Zonda & for me they are similar to Vandoren as many other posters have opined over time ..... the thing is .... the Altissimmo seems to BLOW THEIR HEARTS OUT for me. I have been careful to break them in when playing them & to go EASY ... do all the right things .... but no luck. [[ they are perhaps the most beautiful reed on the market today --- but looks ain't everything ]]
YMMV
best,
mw
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Allen Cole
Date: 2001-08-04 05:27
I've been using Zondas since early 1999. They may not be on par with the best Vandorens, but there are more really good Zondas in a 5-pack than I've ever seen Vandoren cram into a box of 10.
Their consistency of strength and response is outstanding. In three years, I have thrown away less than a half-dozen.
Just remember, though, that they are divided up into sub-strengths. If you order #4 reeds, for example, there are three sub-strengths: L, M & N. I usually keep some M's to play right out of the box, and some N's for longer-term use.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: mw
Date: 2001-08-04 14:51
Hi, Allen. ZONDA has a booth at most big shows, like ClarinetFest, and gives away a set of the varying strengths. The problem with varying strengths is that it drives the retailers crazy & few of the retailers carry all the strengths, They will carry the medium strength ONLY. The 5 pack Zonda reeds are a bit more expensive then the vandoren when bought in quantity. EX: Weiner sells V12 in mix & match 8 boxes for $14 a box. Traditionals can be bought for $11 a box. Best, mw
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Hiroshi
Date: 2001-08-06 01:15
There are two kind of Zonda. Ordinary Zonda(thick heel) and Zonda Classic(just like Vandoren traditional). They are made in Argentine and Zonda means climatic winds there.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Lisa L
Date: 2001-08-06 01:27
Have Zonda reeds been around for a long time? I had heard of them only recently (earlier this year). Are there any other kinds of South American reeds?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: mw
Date: 2001-08-06 01:52
"Are there any other kinds of South American reeds?"
---------------------------
No other South American Reeds that I have heard of, at least on the scale of Zonda.
Hiroshi:
Not to knock Zonda Classico -- but they are a studcent line of reeds. I would NOT compare them in quality to Vandoren Traditional. Here is what Zonda says about them at their website :
"Professional quality at a student price! Zonda Classico uses the same pesticide free cane as Zonda Supreme from the same select plantations. Reeds are also hand selected to keep the growth direction properly oriented; the cut is traditional, designed to appeal to a broad range of clarinetists. Classico reeds are packed 10 to a box. Look for the distinctive kraft box with green and black woodcut style printing."
Best,
mw
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: graham
Date: 2001-08-06 08:19
Zonda are very good. But I don't find them at all like Vandorens.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Bob Curtis
Date: 2001-08-06 14:32
Hello all:
I have used Zonda reeds since they first came out and have been very impressed and pleased with them. One thing, you must be careful about their strength notations as they are about 1 full step stronger that most common brands of regular reed are indicated.
I am impressed with the quality of the cane and the consistency of strengths in a single box. This I like, as I will know what I am getting and not have to second guess. Unlike some reeds, I do not have to throw half of them away nor doctor very many. Usually after very careful breaking in and rotating them I can use them for a considerable length of time with out them showing the usual breaking down similar to most other reeds. I know that some are died-in-the-wool users of one particular brand of reeds, and that is OK with me. I know what I like in a reed, and Zonda fills the bill for me, and that is what matters to me.
Bob Curtis
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Lisa L
Date: 2001-08-06 18:26
What strength of Zonda reeds do most clarinetists use? I wouldn't even know where to start... I am used to playing Vandoren strength 4. What would be comparable to this in Zonda reeds?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
|