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Re: Different Rico reed types?

Author: mrn
Date: 2009-08-21 21:39

Curinfinwe wrote:

> mrn- Rico Reserve Classic? Is there a difference between them
> and the "regular' Reserves?

I haven't played the regular Reserves (I'm a recent convert to the Rico Mafia), but what I do know is this (which is not much, admittedly). The regular Reserves come 5 to a box and are packed with a "Vitalizer" to control the humidity.

The "Classic" Reserves were designed in conjunction with Mark Nuccio of the NY Philharmonic--they are modeled after his hand-made reeds. They come 10 to a box without the humidity control packet. If we can believe the marketing info put out by Rico, they are made from the same cane as the regular Reserves. (The low-on-the-stalk cane, which is supposed to be denser)

What persuaded me to try them was that Nuccio claims that they require very little, if any, balancing or adjustment, and that these reeds are good enough that he has stopped handmaking reeds altogether. According to Nuccio, you can just break them in and play them. Sounded good to me, so I thought I'd give them a try myself and see if the claims are true.

I've only played on my Classic reeds once (went through the box), but I like the sound they make and they all seemed to behave pretty consistently. They were just a bit stiffer than I'm used to. Perhaps they'll limber up after I've played on them a bit more, otherwise I may jump down a strength and see if that works better.

One little weird thing I noticed, though, is that it looks like the sides of the reed are cut twice, once close to the flat side of the reed and another time closer to the vamp/bark side. I say this because the first reed I pulled out of the box looked like it had a rabbet cut into the side. (If you aren't familiar with woodworking terminology, click here to see a picture of what I'm talking about) I've never seen that on a reed before--probably a manufacturing defect, but it reveals something about the way these reeds are cut.

I think the most characteristic thing about the way these reeds are cut (that I noticed) is that the lower heart of the reed (close to where the score line would be in a blue box Vandoren) is noticeably thicker than most other reeds I've tried.

Oh, and the tip is less rounded than other reeds. Nuccio must play on a similar mouthpiece to mine because these Classic reeds appear to match the curvature of my mouthpiece tip exactly. I play on an Eddie Daniels ED1 (which is made by Zinner and distributed by Leblanc).

Post Edited (2009-08-21 21:59)

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