 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Musikat
Date: 2021-09-03 17:41
I went to order new Aria reeds from Brad Behn and they all said out of stock. I emailed and just got a reply that it is unlikely they will bring them back.
That is too bad! I tried Brio when they were first being rolled out and didn't like them, but I guess I will try them again.
If anyone else is an Aria reed user like I was, I thought you might want to know. Maybe if enough of us ask about them they will reconsider!
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Author: clarinetist04
Date: 2021-09-03 23:34
That's really bizarre. He markets his mouthpieces as though they are optimized to the Aria reed. This makes no sense.
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Author: Musikat
Date: 2021-09-04 03:21
I didn't think the response and tone were as good as the Arias at all. But I pulled them back out tonight and tried them again. I still feel they weren't as good but did find a couple to play on and see how they sound after a few days. I ordered another box to see if that one will be better. Maybe I just got a bad batch. I also ordered Pilgerstorfers, which the other ones I typically use.
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Author: Musikat
Date: 2021-09-04 03:22
I was surprised, too. I guess they are migrating to the Brio reeds from Aria, now.
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Author: kdk
Date: 2021-09-04 07:00
AS I understand it, Brad doesn't produce either the Arias or the Brios himself. I don't know how the business arrangements work. I think he has been involved in the design of both, but it may be that his Aria supplier has for some reason stopped production.
Karl
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Author: fernie121
Date: 2021-09-08 22:24
Does anyone know of any reeds that are similar to the Aria reeds? The Brio reeds don’t really work for me. I think I remember Steiner reeds being “similar” but that was a long while ago that I tried them.
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Author: Ken Lagace
Date: 2021-09-08 23:08
Peter Leuthner and Pilgerstorfer reeds have worked well for me with minor adjustings. Did you mean Steuer reeds? The Classic Steuer worked better than the Exclusives
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Author: Doug Leach
Date: 2021-09-08 23:49
For me the Peter Leuthner French cut were very similar to the Aria. Brad seems to be no longer selling those either. But they are also available from Clark Fobes. For me, the Aria 4 was similar to the Leuthner 3 1/2.
Doug
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Author: Bob Barnhart ★2017
Date: 2021-09-09 03:12
I thought the Pilgerstorfer Dolces were similar to the Arias and similar is strength marking (about 1/2 strength lighter than similarly marked V12). I also tried some Leuthners, and found them darker and stiffer than Arias or Dolces. I still prefer Dolces.
Bob Barnhart
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2021-09-09 04:38
If y'all would learn to work on your reeds, the way oboists (for example) do, you'd be able to take just about any half-decent brand or model reed and make it play fine for you, on your own mouthpiece.
Maybe you're lazy, maybe you have no mechanical ability whatsoever (I doubt that!), or maybe you lack confidence - but believe me, NO clarinetist should ever be at the mercy of any reedmaker's stock, or lack thereof.
Buy a good oboe reed knife, keep it as sharp as possible, and learn to adjust your reeds. You might ruin a few (or many) until you get good at it, but it will be well worth the effort.
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Author: fernie121
Date: 2021-09-09 09:53
I actually always worked on my Aria reeds. Mostly taking off material in the lower part of the reed. Aria reeds just have this vibrancy I can not seem to get out of the Brio reeds or any other reeds so far. I will be trying some of the suggestions made here though.
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Author: Ed
Date: 2021-09-09 18:34
For me, it is not a matter of working on reeds. I have always worked on my reeds and am pretty comfortable adjusting them to my needs.
From one brand or style to another there are differences in cut, shape and cane. It is nice when I can play something that gets me "up to speed" with a little less fuss. Some reeds come a bit closer to my ideal with less adjustment or less break in.
Post Edited (2021-09-09 18:35)
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Author: Musikat
Date: 2021-09-09 21:13
Yes, Fernie! The vibrancy is exactly what I loved about the Arias. They seemed to play more easily and responsively, while not compromising the ability to reach the highest notes. They also produced a very clear, pleasant tone. Brio isn't as vibrant.
I came from V12s to Arias several years ago and they were a revelation. The next closest for me is the same strength in the Dolces, but they take more work than the Arias, at least for me. They seem to require a longer break-in period for one. Again, that is just my experience. Like you I always work on my reeds. I use the ATG system, but have used sandpaper and reed rush as well.
I tried Leuthners once and hated them. But I may have gotten too high a strength. If I were to try them again I would have to go with a 3, I guess, to get to the Aria 3.5 similar strength.
Are there any other brands to try that might have the pure tone and vibrancy the Arias had?
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Author: Ed
Date: 2021-09-10 04:20
Quote:
The vibrancy is exactly what I loved about the Arias. They seemed to play more easily and responsively, while not compromising the ability to reach the highest notes. They also produced a very clear, pleasant tone. Brio isn't as vibrant.
Yes, that is a good description. I agree with your thoughts. The Arias were perhaps the most vibrant and resonant reeds I have played.
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Author: gwie
Date: 2021-09-13 23:36
I love the Aria reeds on my Epic HCV and Vintage model Behn mouthpieces. They're practically perfect. I find the Brio works really well with Brad's "Prescott" line from his Epic-CNC operation.
The Brio 3.0 and 3.5 strengths have been a huge hit with my HS students though...everyone coming in on BD5's and M30's finds them absolutely stellar right out of the bag, with response and playability that blows away whatever they've been using. I've not had a single dud yet, and it looks like I'll be making a big order of them soon.
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Author: Doug Leach
Date: 2021-10-19 19:00
Just looked at Brad's site and the page for Aria reeds. They've apprarently had supply issues, but are back in production, and anticipate back in stock late October, early November.
Doug
Post Edited (2021-10-20 00:41)
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Author: Ed
Date: 2021-10-20 03:39
Some time ago Brad indicated that he was thinking of discontinuing them. I am glad he will continue producing them
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