 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: otakua
Date: 2009-06-23 21:25
Um... Ok. About 6 months ago or so, my old clarinet teacher had given me a reed that was 3 1/4. I swear to god this is like the best reed I ever owned lol. Well anyways, Im trying to figure out what it was, and if it still exists. First of all, on the back the symbol looks like... the Rico Grand Concert one (Its kinda light blue with the G and C intertwined like on the box) but I cannot seem to find those in quarter strength. I also remember my teacher telling me that the reed was like... 30 years old. Anybody knows if it still exists, and if not what you would suggest as a replacement? I currently use Vandoren 3, but this reed has lasted me quite a while, and is just starting to give out.
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Author: weberfan
Date: 2009-06-23 21:59
Sounds as if the reed you fell in love with is an old Rico, but I'm no expert on 30-year-old reeds. Gonzalez makes a very good reed, the F.O.F. (For Our Friends), which comes in 1/4 sizes. I've played the 3 1/4 and it's quite good.
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2009-06-23 22:34
Gonzalez reeds come in quarter strengths. So do Legere synthetic reeds. Try a few out.
Jeff
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Author: rdc
Date: 2009-06-23 23:04
When the Grand Concert Select reeds were first introduced by Rico (much less than 30 years ago), they were indeed offered in quarter strengths. Not too long afterwards, the designs for both the regular and thick blanks were changed slightly, at which time the quarter strengths were dropped.
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2009-06-24 19:49
Yes, it is true that Rico did not make a quality reed 30 years ago, certainly not the Grand Concerts. And it is true that for several years the Grand Concerts came in 1/4 strengths but that was dropped. Students, doublers and amateurs basically used the old Rico reeds. If you had a great 30-year-old Rico you will never find a one just like it, it's an anomaly. Try some of the other types Rico makes now, as well as some other brands until you're satisfied. ESP
http://eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: janlynn
Date: 2009-06-26 19:51
i had the exact same experience. my teacher gave me these old sample rico reeds she had for a lonnnnng time. the one that was 4 1/4 worked wonderful. like the best reed id ever played. after doing a little research i ordered a box of grand concerts. tho they are pretty good, have never found one to play like that old reed. it lasted a real long time but has since died. and i have since gone back to vandoren reeds.
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Author: Chris Hill
Date: 2009-06-27 17:25
For me, the reeds that are most similar to the old 1/4 strength reeds are the Rico Evolution. I usually like the Reserve better than anything else right now, but I will sometimes still use an Evolution. When it gets extremely cold, like -20F or lower, it seems that the only things that work for me are the Evolutions.
The Grand Concert Selects are very different from the 1/4 strength reeds.
Chris Hill
Rico Artist
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Author: Barry Vincent
Date: 2009-06-29 00:02
Hi Cris Am I taking it that what you have entered is -20F ! Or did you actually mean 20F which is aprox -6/7C Bloody nora! I would think that the only thing that would work is the reed. The damn Clarinet probably wouldn't ! Not to mention your fingers ! 
Skyfacer
Post Edited (2009-06-29 00:13)
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Author: Barry Vincent
Date: 2009-06-29 23:20
Go on David, your having a loan of me! Where I am in Australia if the temperature drops to 50deg C I put an army overcoat on!
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Author: Barry Vincent
Date: 2009-06-30 04:22
The army overcoat (trench coat ) isn't a fashion statement and what goes inside it isn't cute
Skyfacer
Post Edited (2009-06-30 04:23)
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Author: Chris Hill
Date: 2009-07-02 04:28
Yeah, I really did mean -20F. I did have to play when it was -31 once, not including the wind chill. Thank goodness it wasn't an outdoor concert! With the wind chill, it was -75F. BTW, the two temperature systems match at around -40.
No, I don't go to work on a dog sled!
Chris
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Author: otakua
Date: 2009-07-09 18:26
ouch.... Toronto gets that cold too, but only in like... spring/winter (it gets colder in winter... up to like -20C) but anyways, I didn't notice how much of a reply I got lol. hm.. what to say...
well, I will come to the conclusion that it is an old Grand Concert 3 1/4 reed. My main concern is getting a reed that is CLOSEST to that. Unfortunately, I am from a very low income family, and I cant just buy boxes of different reeds for trying, any suggestions there?
The names that were mentioned were Gonzalez, and Legere. Usually I play on a Vandoren 3. But Im starting to find it a bit weak. Anyways, In those brands, what strength would you suggest for me? As for other Rico reeds, I have only had Rico Royal wich are crap. Not only are they crap, but I waited like... 2 months for my school teacher to get me some Eb clarinet reeds, and he finally did. I got so excited... till I opened the box. Every reed was like... a bit damaged on the side (not cut properly). I dont know of Rico Reserves and Evolution.
What I did like about my 3 1/4 reed was the tone it produced, it was nice and bold, and rich even into higher registers. I wish to produce that sound as well xD.
SO BASICALLY, BOTTOM LINE:
1. How can I try reeds with a very low income
2. I am looking for a reed that is stronger than traditional vandoren 3, and is closest in sound and strength to a Grand Concert 3 1/4.
3. Please inform me on the different brands of reeds and their benefits and such, because unfortunately, I've been playing for 6 years on whatever my school has.
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Author: weberfan
Date: 2009-07-09 19:03
A Grand Concert 3 1/2 (thick blank or regular, try them both) or a Vandoren V12 3.5 might be worth a try.
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