Reeds Benz Reeds - anyone used them?

[half diminished]

I've been reading some good comment about the consistency of Benz reeds. Anyone used them? Also how do they compare strength-wise?

 

[Chris98]

Hi Ian, I've never heard of them, but that's not saying much. My two regular reed suppliers drew a blank and their website says 'under construction' I guess we'll just have to wait for them.

 

[half diminished]

Chris

Musicroom do them at £19.95 for 5, not cheap. I am using Marca Jazz 3s at present which have proved rather consistant but, and its becoming a big BUT, I find they lose their edge quite quickly and turn a little soft which makes getting higher notes difficult. I seem to be getting only 2 weeks from a reed. Maybe it's a time to change, I don't really want to go even harder.

 

[Chris98]

Chris

Musicroom do them at £19.95 for 5, not cheap. I am using Marca Jazz 3s at present which have proved rather consistant but, and its becoming a big BUT, I find they lose their edge quite quickly and turn a little soft which makes getting higher notes difficult. I seem to be getting only 2 weeks from a reed. Maybe it's a time to change, I don't really want to go even harder.

Hi Ian,

£20 for 5 seems very steep to me, that's £4 a reed and no guarantee that it will play. How did you hear about them?

I didn't get on with the Marca Jazz reeds I tried and passed the unused ones onto a friend, it might be interesting to try them on my new mouthpiece, I think I still have the ones I tried in a box somewhere.

Having used Javas for a long time, I've moved over to Rico Jazz selects, never liked them before but having purposely shifted down in reed strength I've found them really rather good. The Javas just lack a bit of something in comparison and seem to loose whatever it is quite early on, with the V16s I found it difficult to decide on the strength that worked for me as they seemed to very quite a bit in the box.

I'd be interested to hear your thoughts if and when you get to try these new reeds.

Best wishes,

Chris

 

[Chris98]

Hi Ian,

I've just downloaded their brochure, it's a bold claim they make:

Have you had enough of buying packs of reeds for your saxophone or clarinet, only to end up throwing out half the reeds in the pack because they’re duds? Then consider Benz Reeds a prayer answered. Through very careful cane selection and a rigorous individual machining process, Benz-Reeds eliminate the concept of dud reeds altogether.

I hope it's true, I really, really do.

Best wishes,

Chris

 

[TomMapfumo]

Time for Francois Louis Excellence Reeds methinks...............

 

[kevgermany]

Time to check out the fine print - and the Trade Descriptions Act, And the Adverttising Standards Authority....

 

[ashman]

Brought a 2.5 strength alto to see what it was like, if they all produce the quality of sound and ease of play I would buy them all the time