 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: WhitePlainsDave
Date: 2016-04-01 21:22
As I search--but not exhaustively--through the board's archives, I come up short trying to find posts that point out similarities and differences between these two reed brands. I'd appreciate your thoughts.
Of course I realize the subjective nature of such opinions, and that some might make the case that you can't easily compare "apples and oranges" here.
Bob Bernardo, a regular contributor here is (I believe "the" rather "an"--as in the sole) American distributor for Steuer reeds. I welcome his opinions given both his expertise with the products and my disclosure of his financial relationship here--which I'm sure in fairness he'd make himself (because he's a good guy and straight shooter) had I not done so first.
I guess my focus would be on the French cut Steuer products, and their comparison to Vandoren v12, Blue Box, V21, and Rue Lepic Soprano clarinet reeds, but comparisons outside this focus are welcome for those using other product offerings from these reed makers and/or different sized clarinets.
Of course if there are already good posts on this, that would be useful alternatively or additionally.
Thanks.
Post Edited (2016-04-01 21:24)
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Author: fernie51296
Date: 2016-04-01 22:59
I recently bought Steuer Exclusives and Vandoren V21s the Exclusives are better hands down. The V21 is a great reed but I noticed a few things about the Exclusives compared to the V21s.
First of all, they last longer. The V21s started softening up a very noticeable amount by the end of a long reherse all. The Exclusives really do seem to be better quality cane.
Second, articulation on the Excluisves are great. I recently went back to my old M13 Lyre, a mouthpiece that I loved but articulation wasn't working well enough for me. Now with the exclusives, it's perfect. Or pretty darn close to it.
And finally, and I really do find this most interesting, the Exclusives handled the ATG system much better. I don't have any idea why, but the V21 changed too much when I'd balance them with the ATG system. The sound would also change. It would almost become a little dull. The Exclusives seemed to react to the sanding and adjusting much better.
Fernando
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Author: locke9342
Date: 2016-04-02 07:08
My main problem with the Steuer reeds is that they didn't fit into my reed case, so these wonderful reeds ended up being chipped
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Author: dorjepismo ★2017
Date: 2016-04-02 21:34
Only tried Exclusive and Classic. Bob Bernardo also imports French Cut (or French 1 on the Steuer website), and there are lots of other models, most for Oehler system mouthpieces but some for Boehm mouthpieces. Classics are significantly thinner, and as a result, the cane seems harder. Bob recommends a half-strength harder for Classics. I'm tempted to compare Exclusive with VD V12 and Classic with blue box, but I haven't played blue box in a very long time, so I wouldn't want to say. To me, Classic is a little brighter and has a bit more of an edge, but really, the whole sound is a bit different and you need to try it for yourself to know what's different for you. Exclusive is also close to V21, but doesn't have anywhere near the taper, which is one of the things that gives the V21 its character.
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Author: nellsonic
Date: 2016-04-03 03:27
I find the cane to be far superior and more consistent in the Steuer reeds. I made the switch to Exclusives from blue box Vandorens last summer after using Vandorens for decades and haven't looked back. I also changed mouthpieces at the same time, so it's hard to make a direct comparison. I do know that my reeds last longer now. They rarely need adjustment, which is amazing to me. That might have to do with both my new mouthpieces being "reed friendly".
The current box I'm using does have many reeds with asymmetrical shoulders, which is mysterious to me, and a little annoying - but they do play very well. They last so long that I haven't gone though enough boxes to have any idea whether this is a common thing with these reeds. Perhaps Bob can answer that.
Anders
Post Edited (2016-04-05 10:21)
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Author: nellsonic
Date: 2016-04-05 10:05
Two of them, both custom - the first was Bob's La Vecchia. He sent me some reeds with it, which is how I started in with them. The second mouthpiece was done for me by Ramon Wodkowski when he came through town. Both great!
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Author: WhitePlainsDave
Date: 2016-04-05 15:57
I am going to rephrase my question because your descriptions (no fault of your own) are not like "a stock M13 Lyre" where I can compare mouthpiece lay to a standard regarding things like tip opening, rail width and curvature.
Might you be able to describe your mouthpieces in terms of things like that?
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Author: nellsonic
Date: 2016-04-06 01:49
Not accurately enough to be of use. The Wadkowski in particular is a result of several rounds of touching a little sandpaper here and there in response to things he heard or that I asked for. It's amazing how much difference just a little touch can make!
I'm not an expert on mouthpiece dimensions, and at this point do not have what is needed to provide exact measurements. I do wish I had asked more questions and gotten some numbers during the process, but I was entirely focused on the results. If you are really curious about how these reeds might work for you, I'd get in contact with Bob through his website. I'm sure he could provide you with the appropriate information.
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