Reeds Can you tell a good reed from just looking at it?

[zannad]

Here's an example...can you spot the good reed from the crappy one?
http://imageshack.us/a/img534/1369/1000909j.jpg

Both are humble Chinese reeds: same brand and strength - still the difference in the sound produce by each of these is quite striking.

 

[breathless]

From what I've read I would say the one on the left would be the better reed based on the fact you're looking for a v shape with the tip reaching upto the tip of the reed.

Rgds Lee.

 

[zannad]

From what I've read I would say the one on the left would be the better reed based on the fact you're looking for a v shape with the tip reaching upto the tip of the reed.

Rgds Lee.

You are spot on :welldone...the one of the right sounds way better.
I wasn't aware of the V shape clue - for my understanding it seems than irregular shades and thicker grooves are better avoided.
The one on the left has a more compact and uniform structure (with a V shaped shade) while the one on the right there are thicker grooves and what it seems an M shade (more complex than the other anyhow).

 

[Justin Chune]

The reed on the right has fibres running to the tip and that's what I look for in a reed. If I were buying single reeds I would avoid any that looked like the one on the left.

Jim.

 

[zannad]

The reed on the right has fibres running to the tip and that's what I look for in a reed. If I were buying single reeds I would avoid any that looked like the one on the left.

Jim.

Let's make a deal then, I'll swap all mine with thick fibers running to the tip with all yours that look like the one on the left?
I wasn't expecting such feedback but this shows how different opinions can be...
Maybe isn't the thicker grooves the determinant factor - as someone's already pointed out the V shape might be a better clue.

 

[Morgan Fry]

The one on the left looks better cut, the one on the right looks like better cane. With a little work it should play better for longer.

 

[zannad]

The one on the left looks better cut, the one on the right looks like better cane. With a little work it should play better for longer.

It might be worth shaving both sides of the one on the right...but on close analysis it feels much thinner at the top = softer than the one on the left...it sounds too bright for my taste. The marking says 2.5 but it should be treated as a 1-1.5. The reed on the left plays and feels like a 2.5.
It just says a lot about consistency in manufacturer standards.

 

[aldevis]

It just says a lot about consistency in manufacturer standards.

Name and shame?

 

[zannad]

Name and shame?

Xin Zhong (enough said).
They sell this packs of 10 (grey/black box) - find 3 or 4 decent out of 10 and for the price you are in for a bargain - I got 6, so I'll buy again.
The one on the left plays very neat and full of body - like the best Gonzalez or Vandoren (blue)...the one on the right plays brightly squawky awful, no matter what tip opening or facing you are using (being softer than expected one has to find a suitable setup)...I've never chucked away any newly bought reed before but this one got me started.

 

[Colin the Bear]

I've just ordered a box of 20 chinese tenor reeds with a cutter for under £10 on e bay. The cutter was the thing I was after. A little clipping can tune in a reed and adjust a poor cut. And maybe there will be a couple of reeds that play in a box of 20. Not much point trying to adjust adjust mouthpiece set up for every reed in the box. Bin the ones that are too hard and clip the ones that are too soft.

 

[kevgermany]

I bought one of those cheapo cutters. Was not well made and wouldn't cut properly. ymmv. Not worth sending back....