 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Clarinetpower
Date: 2020-08-28 02:31
As you can see last days has appeared a new brand of synthetic reeds here in europe. Those are made by silverstein.
I'm afraid that legere reeds seen this prices will become expensive too. So I would like to know your opinion about this two kinds of reeds for soprano clarinet.
Does anybody tried to make their own plastic reeds at home with 3D printer?
Maybe it could be a solution against this enterprises, or should I return to wood reed? 🤯
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2020-08-28 03:22
Just like all cane reeds are not great, not all synthetic reeds work. So far, the Legere European SIgnature reeds seem to work well for a lot of folks. There seems to be a really delicate balance between the material itself (for example, the European Signatures are very brittle in comparison to earlier Legere materials) and the overall architecture of the reed. 3D printing might work but it will take A LOT of experimentation.
As for the Silverstein, I tried two that were clearly not a good strength match for me but they didn't seem promising enough to pursue it further. Also I don't see the advantage of making a synthetic reed that changes as they absorb moisture. Wasn't that the problem with cane in the first place?
Finally, I doubt that makers that have established pricing would alter that in light of newer entrants into the market.
I wouldn't worry if I were you.
..................Paul Aviles
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Author: Slowoldman
Date: 2020-08-28 03:47
When my grandson was in engineering grad school, he needed a project for his 3D printing course, so he tried to make me some reeds. He tried several different printing materials and geometries.
I guess a lot depends on what materials are available and what their strength and flex properties are, what software you have (Can it lay down longitudinal fibers?), and probably lots of other "unknowns". Obviously, Legere has done this in their research and development phase.
While some of these issues may be better than they were 2 years ago, suffice it to say that the 3D printed reeds were just barely playable. It's not something to be done easily on a home printer (or even in a university lab).
I would suggest you either stick with Legere (which don't appear to have increased their prices in response to Silverstein in the US) or go back to cane.
Amateur musician, retired physician
Delaware Valley Wind Symphony, clarinet 1
Bucks County Symphony Orchestra, clarinet 2 (sub)
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Author: alanporter
Date: 2020-08-28 07:14
I have today paid Canadian $38 for one Legere European Signature reed. I was amazed at the price. I have not purchased any Legere reeds for several years, but I am sure they were not so expensive when I last bought any.
tiaroa@shaw.ca
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Author: Clarinetpower
Date: 2020-08-28 13:24
Yes, I have been using legere for 3 years and its price is growing about 1€ for year. It would be fair if I could use each reed. But half of them are rubbish.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2020-08-28 14:16
I have not even experienced much variation amongst Legere European Signature reeds of the same strength let alone anything unusable.
I would suggest, however, that if you have experienced a quality issue, you can use the Legere exchange program (up to four reeds per year) and order from Amazon (which accepts anything back for refund) which has the most common strengths available.
Woodwind Brasswind here in the US has most strengths available for just over $27. I am not sure what the taxes, shipping and import duties would be to Canada.
.............Paul Aviles
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Author: Reed B Chirpin
Date: 2020-08-28 20:41
I'd agree that roughly half of the Legere European Cut reeds I buy don't even make it into my rotation. There have been some that were unplayable, in my experience. On the other hand, you sometimes get Legeres that are brilliant. I do wish they were more consistent at this price point.
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Author: EbClarinet
Date: 2020-08-29 04:49
Vandoren is selling Eb clarinet reeds for $49. They r especially cut for Eb clarinet and they r Whitemaster. The regular Whitemaster for Bb clarinet are $22.50 and all u have 2 do is cut some off the bottom and it fits the Eb clarinet mouth piece wonderfully. I learned this o the clarinet list on yahoo groups over 15 years ago.
https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/mbtldsongministry/
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Author: Buddy5000
Date: 2020-08-30 01:25
My brother has 3D printer. I asked him to make me a reed on it so I could practice slap tounging on my bass clarinet without busting my cane reeds. I did not expect it to sound remotely good, but I was pleasant surprised. I could relatively easily play my full range with controlled tone.Though the 3D printed reed wasn't as terrible as I anticipated, it was definitely no substitute for my cane ones.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2020-09-01 22:03
I am compelled to post again upon just receiving four Legere European Signature 2 3/4 strength reeds from Woodwind Brasswind.
Switching from one to the other was like putting the same reed on the mouthpiece over and over. Since it was mentioned elsewhere on the Board that there is variance in strength I was determined to find that to be a myth as well. Oddly one of the three was slightly less stronger than the others. But this was well under a quarter strength difference and this can be adjusted for by bringing the reed up (or further up) past the tip of the mouthpiece by a hair.
I will add that in the five years that I have dedicated to Legere (soprano and bass), I had ONE order of four reeds off Amazon (coming from a name supplier that I won't publish here) that seemed to be "new old stock," even to include some noticeable dust around the packaging. They played oddly and were immediately refunded (thank you Amazon). So I do leave room for the possibility that storing the reeds improperly (environs that are either too hot or too cold) may cause the plastic to behave in an uncharacteristic way.
My advice:
o Don't shop BEST price!
o Buy from a reputable HIGH VOLUME dealer (guaranteeing the most recently made)
o Be fastidious about positioning accurately and consistently on your mouthpiece
o DO NOT CHANGE MOUTHPIECES (that is, if you do, buy another Legere for that one)
o Buy at least four at a time to alternate to NEXT reed on the next day (allow them to relax)
All this assumes you already know your ideal strength for your chosen mouthpiece. If not, use Amazon and their refund policy until you do.
...................Paul Aviles
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Author: Clarinetpower
Date: 2020-09-02 17:11
You are a lucky guy Paul! I don't feel that they respond similarly, each reed has been sanded one by one when they are finished so the human mistake is there. Anyway I bought my last ones a year ago. I expend 200€ and there was 3 and 3/4 that works harder than 4 strenght. Maybe they have improved this in this time.
I think I will try this reeds last time and if someone is useless I will invest that 200€ in a 3D printer. It could be a good hobby to try to develop a decent plastic reed! 🤯
About returning a reed in amazon I think it should be banned. I would not like to play with anyone else reed.
Anyway, thanks to share your experience.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2020-09-02 18:45
No one gets a reed that was refunded to Amazon. They are disposed of. Amazon and the company that was involved in the transaction takes the loss.
..............Paul Aviles
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