 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: GBK
Date: 2002-02-21 19:45
For the past 40 years, I've had an ongoing love/hate relationship with Vandoren reeds. When a superb one is found, there is hardly a better reed on the market. However, when a majority of mediocre to poor reeds are found from box to box, it makes one start to wonder as to the quality that is being given to the clarinet community, or the proficiency of my own reed adjusting skills.
Well, after just going through a recent box of Vandoren V-12 #3 1/2 reeds, which was the first box tried from an order of 10 boxes from WW and BW. (I buy them in batches of 10 boxes at a time), I am happy to report that at least TEMPORARILY: my faith is restored!
Perhaps the worker who puts "the one good reed in every box" was generous, perhaps I got a lucky box (most likely), perhaps I've just been playing so much (relearning the nasty parts in "Sorceror's Apprentice" after not having had to do it in a while), or perhaps the Vandoren gods were smiling on me. Whatever the reason, I'm a believer again.
Anyone else get as fortunate recently?
By the way (and I have no proof whatsoever) does the shape of the tip now seem different? (more rounded on the corners)
Perhaps (more likely) I'm just delirious ...GBK
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Author: Mike
Date: 2002-02-21 19:51
Yeah Noticed that the V12s are improving in quality as I bought a a few boxes of vary stregth from 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 and they were actually better then the french cut reeds which usually seem to be better, perhaps Mr. Vandore has switched which reeds he puts in which box.
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Author: SWTClarinet
Date: 2002-02-21 22:17
I just bought a box today, along with some Zondas, and I'm pleased to say they're about equal in playability... I like my tone on Zondas, but they're often delicate and have to really be take care of. The boxes I bought today however each had great reeds in them. I only played on two of each but they were great, makes me wonder why I went back to Traditional Vs other than the price. I play on 4.5s on both Zonda and V12 by the way, and I just got in a box of Hand Selects I'm going to try out a little later when my roommate goes to work.
Jose
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Author: Mark Pinner
Date: 2002-02-21 23:22
The tip shape has definitely changed on the V12's and Classics. I use a mixture of classic #2 on V12 2 1/2 for different uses on a wide open mouthpiece. I find the classic 2's are more consistent than the 2 1/2's or harder generally a whole box works. I used to use, and somtimes still do use, a German mouthpiece (Vandoren VD3) with Vandoren White Master's which are smaller and non file cut and generally get 100% from a box which is better than some of the other of this style.
In our climate here in Australia the Grand Concert reeds are more inconsistent than the Vandoren so nobody uses them. The Zonda reeds are available but nobody uses them because of the price. Glotin reeds dont seem to handle the humidity either.
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Author: sylvain
Date: 2002-02-22 04:16
I'm a proud vandoren supporter.
I think they did an amazing job with the M15 mpc. It sounds just as good as many $200 mpcs.
As far as the reeds are concerned, I've been frustrated many times (who doen't?) but switching brand has never really worked for me. I just like the V12s. They just need to stop being so ridiculous with their prices ;->
-Sylvain
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Author: Stephanie
Date: 2002-02-22 04:27
I'm happy for now with my V12's. For once, mor e than half of the reeds are playable...actually they're awesome! Woohoo! Maybe I just got lucky; hopefully I'll be lucky everytime I buy a box!
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Author: Sandra F. H.
Date: 2002-02-22 13:57
I've recently been looking for replacements for the reeds that I use which are no longer available. I tried V-12's and found two in one of my new boxes that are suitable! (TWO!!) Also, I understand that Olivieri's are undergoing a change and will be upgrading, and I plan to try those in the near future. Olivieri is now owned by Muncy Winds, and good changes are inevitable. They will be offering a good student oboe reed in a month or so. Of course, I'm always scraping and shaving! Sandra
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Author: Larry Liberson
Date: 2002-02-22 14:39
Speaking of Olivieri:
In the late 70's and early 80's (until his passing in late 1982, I believe), I carried on a correspondence with Victor Olivieri. It began, mainly, because, as an avid user of his reeds, I was having an increasingly difficult time finding them--so I wrote him and he agreed to sell them to me directly.
Several years have passed and I have changed mouthpieces (at least one time, I believe.... ) and my concept of sound have evolved to something different then it was.....alas, I have not used Olivieri's for many, many years.
However, if anyone is looking for some ORIGINAL Olivieri's (all I have are 4 1/2's) that were selected for me by Sr. Olivieri, well....I still have plenty of them sitting around (probably well a=ver 200 of them!), pretty much gathering dust in their original boxes.
I have tried a few Olivieri's over the years (not mine, but newer ones) and all I can say is that Vic must have had some fantastic eye for cane--'cause they've never been the same since his passing.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2002-02-22 15:06
Eventhough this thread started off about Vandoren reeds, I must agree with Larry as to the deterioration of Olivieri reeds over the past 20 years.
For me, they were a secondary back-up to Vandorens, especially during the drier summer weather.
Over the course of the past two decades they have become a mere shadow of themselves.
Muncy has a huge undertaking ahead to get Olivieri back on track - beginning with better cane quality (which previously boardered on everything from paper thin to toasty brown), more accurate quality control during final cutting (miscuts were rampant), and redesigned packaging to prevent tip breakage.
For all concerned, let's hope Olivieri becomes a major player in the reed market again...GBK
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Author: janlynn
Date: 2002-02-22 15:12
my 'mentor' gave me a couple boxes of olivieri #4's that hes had since the 80's. they are a bit strong for me but good, so i ordered some in #3. dont like them. am back to using vandoren v12's.
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Author: Tamara
Date: 2002-02-23 08:58
V12's are niiice but the price always got me. A few years ago my lesson teacher would sell a few to me whenever i needed some and that was cool because i got to look them over before i handed over the money. Now that i buy them by the box usually about half are worth hanging onto. A few of the others i can save with a reed knife and some sandpaper.
Funny story: In the little hick town i'm from, i tried to buy some V12's at the only local music store and the owner looked at me like i was stupid and said very calmly, "They don't make that kind of reed, what are you talking about?" And them promptly tried to sell me a plastic coated atrocity for about $8. I"m so glad i moved.
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