 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2010-01-05 06:08
Hi
It's getting very annoying now with cane reeds keep breaking while I play. In the last few weeks I had reeds break several times in the middle of rehearsals and concerts. Sometimes I played the broken reed (no choice) and sometimes changed really fast, just gamble the new one would be ok.
I have tried Legere reeds and found a good strength, but found some problems with them. It felt like it is blocking me, and I can't play as loud and as free as I like (and I don't really play especially loud generally) but without the reed shutting at all like a too soft reed would. From a certain volume it just became more resistant.
So I'm trying to find what synthetic reeds I should try and approx what strengths. Maybe it is worth trying the Legere tenor sax reeds? Are they different enough from the bass clarinet reeds? What about the plastic cover ones from Rico (I think only available for tenor sax)? Do they last significantly more than cane reeds? I also know about Fibercell reeds and have tried one once but don't remember. Anything else?
I usually play Vandoren #3 or #2.5 (depending on whether and the specific reed I get).
Thanks.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2010-01-05 07:42
Tenor sax reeds should be fine on bass clarinet - and at least with tenor sax reeds you'll have a much larger selection of synthetic reeds for these than if you want bass clarinet specific reeds. I've never bought bass clarinet reeds and use Vandoren Java tenor sax ones - though I wouldn't mind trying a Legere or similar just for longevity (and hopefully it won't sound too bad).
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: kdk
Date: 2010-01-05 10:20
How are you breaking them? Why are synthetic reeds less likely to be damaged the same way?
Karl
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2010-01-05 10:21
Thanks, though I know tenor sax reeds can work on bass clarinet. The question about tenor sax reeds was specific to Legere which I found I don't especially like for bass clarinet and whether it would be worth trying their tenor sax reeds.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2010-01-05 10:32
>> How are you breaking them? Why are synthetic
>> reeds less likely to be damaged the same way?
They break while I play i.e. during a break I will suddenly notice there is a small piece broken from the tip. I do a lot of things that are not just blowing and staccato and I'm guessing they break the reeds. I know that at least Legere reeds are a lot stronger and will never break from this. This is why I asked about durability of other synthetic reeds that I'm not familiar with.
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Author: Dan1937
Date: 2010-01-05 11:24
I don't play bass clarinet all that often, but when I do, it's usually in a doubling situation, so I need a reed which is not dried out and will respond quickly. Currently I use a Bari brand tenor sax reed, Soft strength. Works fine for me, although I really loved the old (1960s & '70s) Selmer Fibercane reeds for low woodwinds!
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Author: William
Date: 2010-01-05 14:32
A lot depends on your mouthpiece. I have played Legere bass clarinet reeds for about 5 yrs on my Grabner CX_BS mouthpiece and have always been satisfied with their response and sound. I always get positive comments regarding how my bass clarinet sounds from conductors, colleges and audience members. My clarinet is a Buffet Prestige low C and I use a Winslow ligature, if that info matters at all. I might add that not all Legere # 3 reeds play the same for me and it took a bit of trial and error to find just the right ones--kind of the same in searching for cane reeds. However, when you do find a reed you like, it will last indefinately. I play bass clarinet as a double, so it is not in constant use--and my reeds have probably lasted abnormally longer as a result. But a good Legere reed definately has longevity and consistancy among its many advantages over cane. For me, cane reeds do not sound, nor do they play, better than Legere--it's quite the other way around.
Haven't tried the Legere T sax reeds, but would expect the "right one" to play very well if your mouthpiece is Legere friendly as is my Grabner.
BTW, the CX_BS has been discontinued in favor of the new and improved LB model. Check the Grabner website for further info.
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Author: LCL
Date: 2010-01-05 14:34
I use Legere exclusively on BC, CA and CB and have never encountered the problem you described. Of course as Legere and other users may tell you, their reeds do tend to soften a bit after a hour or so of use, but I do not find that objectionable. On BC I use a Pomarico Jazz mpc, on CA I use a Grabner mpc, and on CB I use a Leblanc or Woodwind mpc. The strength of the reeds I use are all about #2 to #2 1/2. And, oh yes, I have used BC reeds and tenor sax reeds on BC with equal sucess.
Hope this helps a little!
Regards,
LCL
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2010-01-05 16:11
My bass reeds of preference (synthetic that is) are the FiberCells. They are much "woodier" sounding than the Legere any day! Of course, I do prefer cane but in doubling situations one needs to do what one needs to do.
...........Paul Aviles
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Author: super20dan
Date: 2010-01-05 17:51
the bari synth plastic reed is fantastic on bass clarinet. its all i use and no one ever knew i wasnt playing cane. tenor sax reed works just fine. unfort there is a big varaiation in how they play from reed to reed -sound familure? when you find a good one-you wont ever want to go back to cane ever.
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2010-01-05 20:47
Tell me why or how your reeds break. The only time that's happened to me is when I would not watching what I was doing and put the cap through the tip of the reed. Fortunately that does not happen very often, only once I can remember in the 50 years I've been playing bass clarinet. ESP http://eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: blazian
Date: 2010-01-05 22:42
If you don't want to read all of this, my recommendation is in bold.
I've never liked regular cane reeds on bass clarinet before so I've used Legeres, Baris, Fibracells, and Plasticovers.
My personal favorite are the Fibracells. Good tone, last a while, and not too breakable. My big problem with them is the backing that suddenly destroys the reed. I used a 3.5 (medium hard I think) strength for the longest time. 4 is a little hard for me.
Eventually I got fed up with Fibracells enough to try the rest of the brands. I'm now using a soft bass clarinet Bari reed. Works pretty well. Not perfect on tone, but satisfactory (for now). It allows me to play EVERY volume I need, from ppp to ƒƒƒ and everywhere beyond. It's very good for loud volumes and cutting through if necessary. I have a medium Bari reed also but it feels VERY hard. Thus I recommend a soft BARI Bass Clarinet Reed.
My Plasticover is a dud. It seems like it should work but it doesn't vibrate like it needs to. It may work for you though. Give it a try as well. I remember being told that they don't last as long as the other synthetics simply because they aren't truly synthetic.
Good luck on your quest for the perfect synthetic reed!
- Martin
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2010-01-06 04:15
>> Tell me why or how your reeds break. <<
See the 5th post in this thread.
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Author: Doug
Date: 2010-01-07 16:49
I have been playing bass clarinet for fourteen years in a 85 piece concert band and have used FIBRACELL reeds exclusively. Over the years, MIRI has had some production problems in getting the correct type of resin used.
But as of three months ago, MIRI has been getting the desired resin and the reeds produced with this latest resin are fantastic. The best ever produced. I use 2.5 strength with my Fobes CF mpc. Optimum ligature, Selmer 33. Excellent intonation. How do I know all this? I am the guy MIRI calls when he wants to start a production run and test all samples. Excellent for alto and tenor sax.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2010-01-07 17:53
THANK YOU DOUG !!!!
Love those reeds. Keep 'em coming.
................Paul Aviles
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Author: ww7914
Date: 2010-01-10 00:44
I've used Rico cane #2 bari sax reeds on bass clarinet for more than a year. They must yield an unusual tone, because a pro trumpet player told me he'd never heard anyone produce that sound from a bass clarinet.
Bill Wildes
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Author: super20dan
Date: 2010-01-10 13:21
i use plasticover on every insterment(including effer!) but cant get them to work on bass either. i would try a legre if they made one soft enough
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2010-01-12 04:30
Attachment: broken_reed.JPG (28k)
I attached a photo of a reed that just broke yesterday during a rehearsal to show what happens. This is actually from the soprano and is a relatively small break. Sometimes a much bigger piece is missing, especially for the bass clarinet.
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Author: blazian
Date: 2010-01-13 01:09
With BARIs (and some Fibracells) it's all or nothing. It's much harder to chip them like that. I haven't managed to break or even chip one yet. I imagine they're unusable if they're split down the middle... just like any reed.
- Martin
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Author: GeorgeL ★2017
Date: 2010-01-13 02:04
Looking at Clarnibass's picture of the broken reed leads me to wonder if anyone has had any success at trimming a synthetic reed. If they slowly get weaker with age, perhaps trimming an old reed slightly below the chip would make it useful again.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2010-01-13 05:06
>> Looking at Clarnibass's picture of the broken reed leads me to
>> wonder if anyone has had any success at trimming a synthetic reed.
This type of chip should never happen with a synthetic reed, at least like Legere which is too strong. At least not while playing which is when these cane reeds break.
>> If they slowly get weaker with age, perhaps trimming an
>> old reed slightly below the chip would make it useful again.
I thought of that with the cane reeds but the reed is a good strength when it breaks and cutting the edge would make it much too hard. Especially when the chip is bigger than the one in the photo, which is most of the time for the bass clarinet reeds. Since it happens while playing it is not a practical solution anyway.
Post Edited (2010-01-13 07:12)
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Author: fruitbat
Date: 2010-01-13 09:40
Try these: www.fiberreed.com
I don't like synthetic reeds (sharp sound) but these are nearly anbreakable.
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Author: DougR
Date: 2010-01-13 12:21
Had 2 good reeds in succession warp on me last night at a rehearsal; if a synthetic reed could produce the kind of sound I hear from major symphonic bass players, I might be interested in them.
Does anyone here play bass PRINCIPALLY (not as a double), in more legit settings (where a good "legit" sound is required), and use synthetic reeds?
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Author: fruitbat
Date: 2010-01-13 13:07
Some semi professionals play on Nick Kueckmeyers "permanent system" (mp+reed). Look at www.playnick.com. Nobody I know personally.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2010-01-15 05:47
Attachment: broken_reed.JPG (13k)
Thanks for all the suggestions I will look into those, though it's a bit of a problem not knowing what strengths are comparable.
Anyway I attached another photo of a bass clarinet reed that happened yesterday just before a concert.
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Author: John J. Moses
Date: 2010-01-15 16:36
Check my new post on LEGERE synthetic reeds, thanks.
JJM
Légère Artist
Clark W. Fobes Artist
Post Edited (2010-01-15 16:37)
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