Reeds alto reeds

[sax_starved]

I am going to try a Graftonite mouthpiece and Rovner ligature for my Trevor James alto and was wondering what reeds you would recommend. My teacher favours Vandoren over Rico but I am reading conflicting reports on the forum. I know that it is subjective but I would be interested in your views. I am presently playing Rico 2.5s and I like to play Jazz/Blues/Rock.

Lloyd

 

[jonf]

I find Rico Jazz Select to be the best for sound and consistency. I play them on all my saxes. I've tried dozens of different brands over the years, and now I'm settled on RJS I wouldn't play anything else - wouldn't want to open up another round of 'trying every option' if nothing else.

 

[AlbionLass]

For the past couple of months I've been playing Gonzalez 2.25's (they're unfiled) and I've found them to be consitent and long lived.

 

[Pjonah]

I flit between Rico and Vandoren, depends what they got in store when I roll up!

Vandoren do appear more consistant though.

Simon

 

[justin_chune]

Anytime I try Vandoren reeds I get nothing but squeaks. I think that I must be a dyed in the wood Rico person. 🙂

Try out your new mouthpiece with your familiar reeds first.

Jim.

 

[TomMapfumo]

Francois Louis Excellence or Marca Jazz are both exceptional to my mind and have overtaken my love of Rico Jazz selects (they are good, though).
You can buy Marca's in packs of 5, and save yourself a bit of money also - as well as avoid any Vandoren/Rico political point scoring. Reeds Direct sell Marca's, and both are available at Howarth's.

Kind regards
Tom 8)

 

[sax_starved]

Justin Chune wrote:

Try out your new mouthpiece with your familiar reeds first.

Jim.

I think this is sound advice. I will try out the reeds you have suggested once I am comfortable with the mouthpiece.

Whilst I'm on this can of worms, for those of you who have done the Graftonite legwork, would it be a good idea to buy the B5 Graftonite mouthpiece, which has the medium chamber? My thinking is that because they're so cheap I could always buy another with a different size chamber and facing at a later date once I have an idea what they sound like. Oh dear, I've started another mouthpiece thread.

Lloyd.

 

[TomMapfumo]

Medium chamber would be the safest/better option, not favouring the high or low register. Compare this with Vandoren V16's which are either in Small or Medium chamber - the Medium is fine for soloing, for example, and the Small chamber seems to tend towards a thinner sound. I have 2 M chamber V16's and they are bright and forceful where necessary. So B5 should be fine IMO.

Tom 8)

 

[Pjonah]

Word of Waarninks, Graftonite mouthpieces are a narrower body than normal HR alto pieces so make sure you get the right lig!

 

[TomMapfumo]

If you are going down the Rovner path you will need a 1RL, L6 or E-1RL, if you go for Dark, Light or EVO-5(my favourite). 8)

 

[sax_starved]

The Rovner 1RL ligature and Rico Jazz selects were delivered this morning. I am generally sceptical about equipment making much of a difference but I have just spent 45 minutes on my alto and what a difference! Brighter, better tone and easier to play. All I now need is my new mouthpiece (thanks for your post about these, Tom) and I should be away.

I like the Rico Jazz and will buy some for my tenor once I have worked my way through the box of standard that I have.

Thanks for all your help. I'm enjoying the sax more every day.

Lloyd