 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: MarkW61
Date: 2022-02-12 23:51
Hi,
I use a pair of Eaton Elites with a PE mouthpiece, in Peter's opinion he thinks the Vandoren Traditional 2.5 reeds work the best with his mouthpieces. My problem is that I find the 2.5 a little soft and the 3 too hard. The shape of the cut of the Vandoren reeds does suit the mouthpiece curve well. After reading some glowing reviews of the Gonzalez GD reeds I decided to go for the 2.75. Sadly I have been very disappointed with the quality and tone I'm getting, I have broken them in as mentioned many times on this forum(5 minutes per day etc). Also these reeds have a squarer cut and don't follow the curve.
My question is do I stick with the variable quality of Vandoren reeds and go for perhaps a Rue L'epic or jump to Rico Royals or even Peter Leuthner French cut reeds?
Any advice would be appreciated as I am rehearsing Mahler 5 and would like to get this sorted out fairly soon.
Thanks,
Mark
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Author: Robert N.
Date: 2022-02-13 01:30
I like the Pilgerstorfer Dolce reeds quite a lot, and they are the reeds that I use. but I don't know how they would fit on the Peter Eaton mouthpiece as I have not had the opportunity to try one.
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Author: Hurstfarm
Date: 2022-02-13 03:33
I use Dolces on my Eaton Elites (#3), and they are my preferred reeds for the instrument, having experimented with a variety of options over the years.
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Author: donald
Date: 2022-02-13 05:09
If a "Blue box" 3 is slightly too hard, try V12 3. I use V12 3 and find they average a bit soft, but Blue box 3s are a little hard. I like both cuts...
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2022-02-13 09:55
I've been playing an Eaton mouthpiece on an Eaton clarinet for almost 20 years, but it's the French model so it's a bit different I guess. I tried many reeds and prefer Vandoren. I use mainly V12 and occasionally others (56 and sometimes Traditional). I suggest trying other Vandorens, mainly V12 and black.
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Author: paulyb
Date: 2022-02-13 13:27
I also play around a 2.5 strength and I've been similarly disappointed with the GDs. I've had *much* more success with the FOFs - a 2.75 strength might be worth a try. Rue Lepics generally run a bit softer than blue box and also might be worth a go.
If you're very keen to have a reed that matches a more rounded tiprail then maybe try the D'Adarrio Reserve (not classic).
I feel your pain - trying different reed cuts can be an expensive business!
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Author: MarkW61
Date: 2022-02-13 21:31
Thank you for the quick replies, as paulyb says it is an expensive business trying different reeds so the advice is very helpful. I'm glad I'm not the only one disappointed by the GD's, I will look at the D'Adarrio Reserves but I will need to check where they fit in regards to strength with the Vandoren Blue. The Rue Lepics in strength 3 were likely to be my next choice but the Pilgerstorfer Dolce sound like a good fit.
Hurstfarm, do you use 3 strength on the Pilgerstorfer Dolce reeds, just wanted to check. Is the tip rail rounded like the Vandoren Blue?
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Author: Robert N.
Date: 2022-02-13 23:28
Attachment: IMG_2480 (1).jpeg (311k)
Here is a photo, (from left to right) of a Vandoren Rue Lepic, Vandoren Traditional and a Pigerstorfer Dolce side by side.
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Author: Robert N.
Date: 2022-02-13 23:32
If you use a Vandoren Traditional 2.5, I would recommend the Dolce at 3 or 3.5. I will see if I can do some testing later.
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Author: paulyb
Date: 2022-02-13 23:34
For what it's worth, I've found the Dolce's to run a *lot* softer than Vandoren. I think Thomann have some Pilgerstorfer multi-strength and multi-cut trial packs.
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Author: MarkW61
Date: 2022-02-15 02:08
Thank you for the picture Robert N, it does look like the Vandoren's have a more curved top. I have been a bit impetuous and gone for a box of Pilgerstorfer Morre(strength 3) so I will let you know how I get on. My only concern is that they will be too soft after your description of the Dolce.
They are supposedly packed as 10 for £21 GBP though the description on the Reeds Direct Cambridge website said packed in 6's.
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Author: paulyb
Date: 2022-02-15 02:22
I seem to remember the Morre being harder than the Dolce so a 3 might be fine.
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Author: Hurstfarm
Date: 2022-02-15 19:06
Attachment: Dolce.jpg (132k)
Hi Mark, just seen your post from 2 days ago, so apologies for the rather slow response. Yes, I use Dolce 3s on my Eaton Elite mouthpiece, which in Peter's measurement system is a 1.26mm tip opening and 21.5mm facing length.
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Author: Hurstfarm
Date: 2022-02-15 19:48
BTW, I can confirm that Pilgerstorfer Morre reeds come in boxes of 6. I like them a lot, and use them on my standard bore clarinets (with a B40 Lyre). I personally marginally prefer the Dolces on my Peter Eatons, which you may not want to hear at this stage, but everyone's different and I wish you every success!
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Author: ACCA
Date: 2022-02-17 12:36
+1 for Pilgerstorfers! Excellent reeds, and Alexander is great to work with. There are sample packages and individual reeds priced on his website if you don't want to go with a whole box. I can confirm the Dolces run a bit soft, a 3 compares to vandoren 2.5's. They are nice reeds with a soft sweet tone like hteir name suggests. I really love the Morre's. A Morre 3 might just land in the sweet spot between a vandoren 2.5 and 3 that you are looking for. They are an amazing reed, flexible yet extremely controllable, vibrant but rich and warm, never overly bright or shrill. YMMV as always! good luck.
Post Edited (2022-02-17 12:44)
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Author: MarkW61
Date: 2022-02-17 19:35
Thanks Hurstfarm(my PE mouthpiece is stamped 1.21 21B) and ACCA, I am looking forward to trying them out.
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Author: MarkW61
Date: 2022-02-27 01:07
My first try of the Morre reeds today and they really are nice, in fact it took a lot of will power to stop playing as I want to break them in slowly. I totally agree with you ACCA, the tone is probably the best I have achieved with any reed, my only slight worry is whether they will last as it was almost too perfect from the start. They might be a tiny bit too soft(grade 3) but I will wait and see.
I would buy another box but will wait and see, Cambridge Direct said they came as a box of 10 but actually arrived as 6. In fairness CD did refund me so they worked out about £2.50 each which is a fair comparison to Vandoren etc.
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