 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: SecondTry
Date: 2026-01-22 20:52
This is a two part thread that's linked by the idea that Mike Lowenstern is not only selling this brand of reeds, but that he isn't the only one making them available in single serve variety, along with other brands.
https://www.carbec.it/
https://www.earspasm.com/products/carbec-organic-reeds
Has anyone tried them? If so, what did you think of them, not simply in consistency and play but longevity?
On a second but related topic, what's with this single serve reed for sale thing?
The last time I bought reeds this way (cane ones I mean) were Ricos in the 1970s when I played a plastic beginner's clarinet in Elementary school.
Have cane reeds become so (cough) consistent, or are they just so expensive that this marketing strategy is viable?
This isn't to knock Mike. A guy's got to do what sells. And selling to a player who would buy 5 reeds but can't afford a box, that's a business decision that only Mike can determine if worth his time. It's not as if he's anyway precluded purchases of boxes (upon boxes) of reeds.....just made individual ones available for purchase.
Post Edited (2026-01-22 20:53)
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Author: David H. Kinder
Date: 2026-01-22 22:54
Single reed sales are good when you're transitioning between strengths and experimenting between different brands/cuts. When I was getting back into playing, I bought several V.12 reeds - 3, 3.5, and 4s knowing that I needed to build my embouchure strength again.
At least Vandoren makes it possible by individually wrapping each reed - but I miss the smaller box size.
The only downside of Mike's pricing per reed is that you're still paying for shipping. To ship 1 reed to me would still cost $6.80 to ship, so there's no real pricing advantage buying on a per-reed basis.
Ridenour AureA Bb clarinet
Ridenour Homage mouthpiece
Vandoren Optimum Silver ligature (plate 1)
Vandoren Traditional #5 reeds
ATG System and Cordier Reed Trimmer
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Author: lydian
Date: 2026-01-22 23:28
I'm not too keen on spending $50 on a box of reeds only to discover they're too hard or too soft or I just don't like them. Please give me the option of buying a single reed to try before commiting to a whole box.
Never heard of carbec, but you can get Vandoren singles at your local music store. In the old days, they'd open a box and let you pick and but just one if you wanted. I'd hold it up to the light and make sure I liked the look of the cut, balance and density.
I imagine Mike wouldn't bother selling singles if there were no demand for it. I'm grateful to have such a knowledgeable resource available and the option to buy singles if I want to try something new.
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