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Author: Kim6141
Date: 2022-07-16 11:01
I play pomarico emerald with 0.98 tip and 34+ facing. This is the mouthpiece modified by the refacer and his measurements. I have one question. I have another cg+ model and this has not been modified. length of the two rails seems to be different. My guess is that when using the legere european, if both facings are out of balance, the legere will wear out quickly. I'm curious about other people's opinions.
Post Edited (2022-07-16 11:02)
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2022-07-16 11:12
The Legere should behave exactly like cane reeds in the same situation. Of course they should last a year (or more). Don't forget to have at least four through which you rotate. And if you are new to Legere, take the time to find the correct strength for you and the mouthpiece (it took me a few months).
..............Paul Aviles
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Author: Kim6141
Date: 2022-07-16 11:20
I use legere and cane interchangeably. I have been using legere for about 5 years and am very familiar with it. It rotates with about 8 reeds. What I am curious about is if the pacing of the mouse is not correct, the wear of each part of the legere will be irregular. Legeres used with refaced pomarico work and play very well for a long time, but legeres used with regular cg+ seem to tend to wear out slightly faster.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2022-07-16 14:42
Ok, so what I hear you saying is that the cg+ is an "asymmetrical" facing. The asymmetrical facing is causing the Legere to get "weaker" faster.
please correct if this is not right
I had found at some point in the past that I was applying too much pressure on the Legeres on slightly more open (for me) mouthpieces and that caused them to bend closer to the tip and become too weak. My solution to that was to stick with the smaller tip opening and shorter facing mouthpiece. I also have continued to emphasize applying the least amount of embouchure pressure I require to control the sound.
Of course it goes without saying that you ideally only use one reed (or set of reeds) for one particular mouthpiece. If you have used a set of reeds on one mouthpiece for a month (for example), then take them to play on another mouthpiece for an indefinite period of time, you are not optimizing the performance of the Legeres.
...............Paul Aviles
Post Edited (2022-07-16 20:26)
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Author: super20dan
Date: 2022-07-17 07:28
i agree with paul and find the open tip bass mpcs wear out the legre faster.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2022-07-17 11:17
Ok, but let's try to maintain an accurate description of what is happening. The Legeres are NOT wearing out in that the material is fraying or breaking. In MY case (still not confirmed with Kim6141) but rather the reeds are being encouraged to bend at the point where reed and mouthpiece separate so that the effective strength is lessened.
BIG DIFFERENCE
I have just done that old cane trick of pushing back the tip area of the reed with the table of the mouthpiece with some success. Though I prefer the issue not even come up (I think it may say more about HOW we are playing rather than the reeds themselves).
............Paul Aviles
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Author: Kim6141
Date: 2022-07-17 11:22
Sorry for the late reply. Yes. Not sure if it's an irregular facing or a difference in the mouthpiece tip opening. I just guessed. It certainly seems right that the open side and the soft legere wear out faster.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2022-07-18 05:33
Hey Kim6141,
Thanks for the reply. So here is the other great thing about Legere, they are clear, you can see through them. You may try the "bending back" technique. You should see the contact points as darker areas. You could even make two marks (extra fine point permanent marker - will come right off when done) there and line that up on the table of the mouthpiece and try some "light" bending back (trial and error of course). Hopefully that will make some of those "worn reeds" usable again.
.................Paul Aviles
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Author: super20dan
Date: 2022-07-18 05:51
after playing legere for a year on bass and alto clarinet i have only worn out 1 reed
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Author: Kim6141
Date: 2022-07-18 18:36
Thanks for the advice! I'll try it later. I live in Korea, so our time difference will be about 12-13 hours. So I confirmed late. For sure, the 3.25 and cg+ combo definitely seems to soften the reeds faster than the 3.5 and closed emerald.
I usually play 6-7 hours a day and rotate 4 reeds
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2022-08-04 03:23
I've used legere mouthpieces on crystal mouthpieces often.
Just last week I migrated to a CG (not plus model) with a legere signature reed.
My philosophy with reeds in general are to use as light a reed as possible that still allows me to play the full range in tune. I remember a podcast WAAAAY back by ... well, I can't remember the person... but what I got from it was to learn to use light reeds. It was a great tool for me to focus on having a loose, but firmly set embouchure, makes articulation easy and crisp, and I just sorta stuck with light reeds. I don't get fatigued very often anymore.
I think if you have a light enough reed, and take in enough mouthpiece that you're allowing the reed to fully vibrate and aren't pinching the reed at all causing it to bend, you'll be fine.
FWIW, one of my recent coworkers used the CG+ and legere reed for YEARS and never once did I hear him complain about the reeds going bad, or warping, or anything like that (he also used light reeds).
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: super20dan
Date: 2022-08-04 04:47
my first euro cut bass reed warped after a few months use. hope its not a trend
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