 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Mike M
Date: 2026-08-23 20:33
Those of you that use Legere reeds:
I am really starting to like 4.0 European Cut on my Bb clar.
They are not as warm sounding as my usual V12 #4's but very responsive/articulate.
Your experience?
Allegro Chamber Players
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2026-08-23 22:57
Ok, you have it in a nutshell. You will get the best sound and response from cane, but is it enough of a difference to pass on the advantages of synthetic? The Euro cut are great and will play tomorrow the way they do today, which is the way they played yesterday. Of course I’ve leaned that you do need softer ones lying around when the weather gets drier - colder, drier weather needs softer reeds regardless of the material.
That said I don’t think I’d ever go back to cane at this point.
………… Paul Aviles
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Author: CavalliB
Date: 2026-08-24 13:03
@Mike.M could you elaborate a bit on your setup, especially the MP? I am playing Uebel Superior (1st Gen) with AW Woodwinds F120 MP and usually don't need anything stronger than a 3. Thank you very much in advance!
Edit: Typo
"Music is a higher revelation [...] than all wisdom and philosophy."
L. v. Beethoven
Post Edited (2026-08-24 13:03)
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Author: Mike M
Date: 2026-08-24 17:39
"could you elaborate a bit on your setup, especially the MP?"
Selmer 10G Bb clarinet.
A Gigliotti 4 mpc
Allegro Chamber Players
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Author: David Eichler
Date: 2026-08-29 06:50
I feel as though I can get roughly the same brightness out of the European cut as I can out of a V12. I would typically use a 3.5 V12, or perhaps occasionally a lighter 3.5+ or 4. I use a 3.75 European cut, and sometimes a 3.75 French cut.
If you are looking for a slightly warmer sound than the European cut and haven't already tried the French cut, I suggest trying it. Btw, on average, it seems the French cut tends to run a little softer than than the European cut, though variations from reed to reed means that won't always be the case.
FWIW, I mainly play jazz, but I have had training from Classical players and can produce a competent "legit" sound on clarinet.
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Author: lydian
Date: 2026-08-30 18:51
Legere doesn't sound quite as good as cane, but close enough for a doubler like me. Better to have a good tone on a reed that won't dry out than a great tone on one that will.
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Author: David Eichler
Date: 2026-09-05 07:00
lydian wrote:
> Legere doesn't sound quite as good as cane, but close enough
> for a doubler like me. Better to have a good tone on a reed
> that won't dry out than a great tone on one that will.
I beg to differ. I say would they sound as good as most cane reeds and only few of the very best cane reeds sound better. I weigh this against the consistency of these synthetics and the fact there is less embouchure effort relative to cane, once you get used to the synthetics, such that you don't have to adjust so much from reed to reed with synthetics.
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Author: Mike M
Date: 2026-09-22 21:32
Legere European Cut strength consistence???
I went up from a 3.75 to a 4.0 several months ago and have been happy until today. I opened two new 4.0 reeds today and one plays as my others have but the other one is way-harder.
Using my Reed-O-Meter the ones that I like are an 8.5 or thereabouts. One of the two today measures at 9.5 - way too stiff....
Since I am in the US I realize that I cannot exchange it.....total bummer.
Has anyone been successful at softening a Legere??
If so, please share.
Allegro Chamber Players
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Author: kilo
Date: 2026-09-23 00:28
I hate to throw a Légère away – must have something to do with the initial cost – they seem to get stowed under dressers and behind cabinets. Occasionally I've dug one out and played it – "Hey, why'd I toss this one?" I don't even want to add up how many of them, and their coffins, are lying around and how much money it represents. I've found they make good shims and putty knives and can have a useful life after their musical career.
As far as inconsistency, yes, I hate to admit it, I've gotten a few "off" ones. Probably produced on a Friday afternoon before a long weekend. I've also gotten a few spectacular ones and when I do I'll mark them to save for performances.
Légère says you can adjust a stuffy one by dipping it in really hot water – just off a boil – for a "few seconds" if I remember correctly. And I've seen online comments from people who claim to have had success with this method and a few similar procedures. I've tried this a few times – very few – and can't say that it's worked for me. Any sense of a small improvement is in "subjectivity territory" where wishful thinking may be a factor. I'm waiting for a recommendation that prescribes the exact water temperature, the exact amount of time, the expected duration of the improved performance, and most desirably, a good scientific explanation from a plastics engineer as to how these lemons occur in the first place.
But I have no interest in returning to cane or even experimenting with other synthetics. I use a few different cuts on bass clarinet, depending on the mouthpiece I'm using. French Cut 3½ tenor reeds on a Fobes 10K CF and a Selmer Focus, assorted cuts on my open Mojo piece, usually 3 strength. With four in rotation they'll last a year or more.
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Author: David Eichler
Date: 2026-09-23 11:28
In my experience, the inconsistency with Légères is with strength. I have experienced few real duds with them. Lighter or heavier reeds of the same nominal strength will typically play ok on other mouthpieces. Not optimal, but not a complete loss. Also, I seem to experience less inconsistency with their alto sax reeds, and rarely get one I can't use on my normal mouthpiece, but that is a different instrument and set-up.
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