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Rico Reserve X5 consistency

Author: Jim22
Date: 2014-07-06 06:04

I've been trialing mouthpieces for a while, mostly Vandoren, including a few of the series 13 ones. I currently have a standard 5RV Lyre, and a Rico Reserve X5. I have decided I prefer the X5.

So here's the question: How consistent are the Rico Reserve's from sample to sample. The particular one I am playing is from a dealer demo kit, and is clearly marked "DEMO". I may be able to talk the dealer out of it, but is it likely to be a problem if I have to accept one of the retail boxed mouthpieces instead of the one I played? Will I need to play a retail model to make sure it plays the same?

By the way, this one has a D for D'Addario instead of the R for Rico on it. It's a pretty low serial number.

Just when I had it figured out...

Jim C.
CT, USA

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Re: Rico Reserve X5 consistency

Author: gwie
Date: 2014-07-06 09:50

I visited D'Addario Woodwinds/Rico last year and tried out a number of the X5 and X10 mouthpieces. Each model is remarkably similar, although with any product of this type a sensitive player can feel and hear some differences.

I have students who happily play all the different models...there is a certain consistency that we've found that is appealing compared to the relatively wide range of playing characteristics with some of the Vandoren mouthpieces that we've sampled at local shops.

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Re: Rico Reserve X5 consistency

Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2014-07-06 18:36

They are all very good, but do vary slightly - obvious to me, but I'm ultra sensitive to that. Otherwise, a non high level player wouldn't notice really a difference at all.

Very, very close tolerances these Mouthpieces are made with.

http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com

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Re: Rico Reserve X5 consistency

Author: GaryH
Date: 2014-07-06 20:22

I've tried several XOs. All very similar, but not identical from what I could tell.

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Re: Rico Reserve X5 consistency

Author: Jim22
Date: 2014-07-07 05:51

Today I played a retail box X5 and swapped it for the demo. I didn't really play the two off against each other, but the retail one played as expected.

Now I guess I'll work up a few reeds for the X5 and the 5RV Lyre and see what I can get them to do. Thanks for the help.

Jim C.
CT, USA

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