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Conparing new reed brands

Author: WhitePlainsDave
Date: 2015-01-28 17:57

* Vandoren V21.

* D'Addario Reserve, and Reserve Classic.

Has anyone tried all 3? If so, what are your thoughts, particularly as it involves similarities and differences between these 3 choices?

Thanks.

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Re: Conparing new reed brands

Author: nbclarinet
Date: 2015-01-28 18:04

I have tried all three brands and found them to be very similar. The old reserve classics were the worst of the bunch for me. I couldn't get the sound to focus, just found them too fuzzy. The new daddario cut was better. They gave me a much smoother sound but I found they responded with too much resistance for my taste. I liked the V21 box the best (which is not surprising considering I use rue lepics). I found these to be similar to other vandoren cuts, but with a punchier sound and really even response. Unfortunately I found that I was right in between a 3.5 and 3.5+ and so I've stuch with my trusty 56s

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Re: Conparing new reed brands

Author: WhitePlainsDave
Date: 2015-01-28 18:20

I hear you nbclarinet, thanks. It's interesting to me that you find similarity, as I was wondering if this might be the case.

With emphasis on something you probably know, if not information known to all:

From what I understand, and I don't mean this as a disparaging remark against Rico, (I like their Reserve product), the two offerings by D'Addario are a "whole different ball of wax," where similarity in name (i.e. "Reserve") does not necessarily equate with similarity in product.

For what it's worth though, I do---small sample size noted--prefer the D'Addario line.

True be told, I don't know how much, if at all, the Rico Reserve product was used as a base to produce the D'Addario lines, although business arrangements exists between both companies: D'Addario I believe acquiring portions of (or branding/labelling rights to) Rico's high end reed market.

I imagine our board's Mr. Blumberg has forgotten more about the nature of this financial arrangement and the origins of the D'Addario line than most of us know, present company included. It's entirely possible that from the very beginnings of D'Addario's research to develop their products, the Rico Reserve product was not (or was) a predecessor/precursor of D'Addario's completed work.

Post Edited (2015-01-28 18:24)

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