Reeds Alto reeds reviewed

[sax_starved]

I have had a chance to play the following reeds using the same mouthpiece, ligature and sax i.e. Graftonite B5 mpc, Rovner Dark ligature on a Trevor James Revolution II Horn:

1. Rico 2.5 standard (orange box)
2. Rico Jazz Select 2 medium filed.
3. Alexander 2.5 DC Imperial.
4. Marca 2.5 Jazz.

Thanks to TomMapfumo for sending me the last two to try.

1. Rico 2.5.
This is a fairly easy reed to blow giving good sound across the range. When pushed the Rico can grumble a bit so a harder reed would be needed if you were looking for a bright jazz sound. Overall a good reed but nothing special.

2. Rico Jazz Select 2
Needs a lot more puff to get this to perform, but as a consequence it produces a very, very loud bright sound. This reed came into its own when playing Spyro Gyra's Morning Dance, really shouting out the notes, particularly at the top end.

3. Alexander DC
Noticeably easier to play and produces a much more mellow, smokey sound. I liked this read for the slower numbers; was not as bright as the Jazz Select.

4. Marca Jazz
I could not get on with this at all. Horrible squeaks particularly when playing high D and above. So much so that I checked the instrument for leaks. I went back to it later and spent a little more time trying to tame it but to no avail. To be fair this may have been a rogue reed, although it looked OK.

Conclusion:
If you are a beginner, like me then you will not go too far wrong with the standard Rico. They're cheap and produce a consistent sound across the range.
If you want to go for a brighter sound that gives a big noise then it is the Rico Jazz, without question, although I liked the edgy sound when playing slower tunes as well. A very good reed.
For sultry, slow numbers then the Alexander gives a very nice sound but could not compete with the Jazz for racier tunes.

My opinion only, of course and trying different mouthpieces and reed strengths may change the result. For me though, I like the Rico Jazz Select although I will persevere with the rogue Marca as others have sung its praises.

Lloyd

 

[Smiffy]

When you get a chance try a rico Hemke 3

I like the RJS but think the Hemke 3 is better


TomMapfumo 😛

 

[TomMapfumo]

Marca are about the most consistent I know so it is likely to be a blowing issue - I used to get endless squeaks with the the DC's to start off with, but not now. All reeds can take a while to adjust to so do come back to it from time to time and see how it goes.

If desperate follow Smiffy's advice; I'm sure he'll send you some to try out 😛

Kind regards
Tom 8)

 

[Smiffy]

Nah I keep good ones for myself and any bad ones I burn not send out to others 😱



😛

 

[TomMapfumo]

I'll have to start sending out used reeds in future - Gaw Blimey, wus appnin' na' 😛

Love and peace
Tom 8)

 

[silver_smurfer]

This reed business is so confusing. Reeds I have not liked have been sweet 6 months or a year later. I found the Vandoren Java easier to control and more recently I have discovered that a Rico Jazz Select 2M plays much easier than a 2S. Wonder what the 2H does?

 

[chadders]

Silver Smurfer wrote:
This reed business is so confusing. Reeds I have not liked have been sweet 6 months or a year later. I found the Vandoren Java easier to control and more recently I have discovered that a Rico Jazz Select 2M plays much easier than a 2S. Wonder what the 2H does?

I completely agree with this. I have been bouncing around from make to make and different strengths, and have also found that the reeds I thought were not right for me a couple of months ago are actually not too bad at all when played now.

My current favourite is jazz select 2S followed by 2.5 rico royal. I have a vandoren 3 in its sealed wrapper, waiting for the day when I think I am good enough !!!

Chad