Reeds Getting my first synthetic reed, Advice appreciated :D

[Micheal Murray]

Going to try out my first synthetic reed and was wondering what brand i should get. I play No. 3 Vandorens so what hardness should I get in the specific brand you recommend?

All advice is appreciated ;}

Thanks

 

[kevgermany]

Which Vandorens? Blue box?

 

[Andante cantabile]

You'll find lots of views on what brand to get. I use Legeres (Signature and standard) and Fibracells. Look up a good reed comparison chart, and you'll find it easier to make a decision.

 

[TomMapfumo]

Urgent plea to all posters: If you are using Vandoren Traditional (Blue Box) Reeds, please say so. There are also ZZ, Red Java, Green Java V12 and V16 Reeds, and it saves KevvyG a lot of unnecessary posts clarifying the issue. Sometimes he can't even find time to actually play a saxophone as a result.

so, IF YOU ARE USING VANDOREN TRADITIONALS, SAY SO! Rant over..................

Good luck with finding a Synthetic Reed, by the way!

 

[kevgermany]

The trouble with Vandoren is that the blue box reeds are stiffer than their other types - so a blue box 2 is stiffer than a V16 2...

 

[Gallen]

Alto saxer here. I use Vandoren Blue box 2.5 if I'm reeding it - best match to me and my mouthpiece (Vandoren Optimum AL4), and I currently play on Legere Signatures #2.5.

My experience on synthetics:
- Plasticovers: Affordable, loud, bright. I sound relatively thin and do not get much body/core with them though.
- Fibracell Premier: Too dark for my tastes. Plays very well though!
- Forestone: Can't play it at all.
- Legere Signature: best fit of them, managed the 3rd overtone for Bb1 yesterday, woot! Very costly though.

 

[TomMapfumo]

www.saxophone-service.de/shop/z_57.html is a good comparison chart which highlights the different strengths of Legere and other reeds. It is the best that I have found so far and is not just focussing on Rico and Vandoren reeds to the exclusion of all the others available.

 

[Micheal Murray]

Sorry Vandoren Blue Box reeds. Thanks Everyone

 

[saxnik]

One question... Why are you wanting synthetics?
If it's just for a long lasting straight swap for cane reeds I would say Legere Signature, since I can't really tell the difference in playing technique or sound. From Vandoren V16 3.5's I use a Signature 2.75 on alto.
If you want synthetics to get a different sound, Hahn reeds are great for power and punch, but don't sound much like cane! I use 3.5's for real raw sounds, though I don't like the way they wear since they seem to go ragged pretty quickly. This isn't really a problem since it doesn't really affect the way they sound too much, just feels a bit weird to play on.

Nick

 

[jazzdoh]

I switched to synthetics several years ago,was mainly on Fibracell but have changed now to Legere signature on all saxes,if you go for Legere signature the alto runs a 1/2 strength hard,so if you use a 3 cane order a 2 1/2 legere,have not notice any such strength problems on tenor or soprano.
Hahn's do play bright and powerful if that is what you are after.
Reeds-direct of cambridge stock most of the synthetics.

Brian

 

[Micheal Murray]

Thanks guys, I went for some ricoplasticovers and have to say I REALLY like them. I'm sure legere are a million times better but ill stick with the ricos for now

 

[Rogerb]

On the general advice about legere Signature being about a half strength softer than most, I bought a #2 ..... Iliked the sound, apart from the 'unwanted vibrato' which my notes had suddenly acquired, which I eventually figgered was due to the reed's being too soft

Anyone want a lightly-used, washable(!) Signature #2 for Alto ? (25 quid's worth of useless .... to me... translucent plastic!!)
I have gone back to a Fibracell Premier 2, and, occasionally, a Hahn ('Soft', I think), which was too hard, for me, until I sanded it quite a bit.

 

[Andante cantabile]

On the general advice about legere Signature being about a half strength softer than most, I bought a #2 ..... Iliked the sound, apart from the 'unwanted vibrato' which my notes had suddenly acquired, which I eventually figgered was due to the reed's being too soft ]

Finding the right Legere reed is not necessarily easy. According to the Legere comparison chart, a tenor Rico #2.5 or Vandoren #2 equates to a standard Legere #2 or a Signature or Studio Cut between 2.25 and 2.5. I think the signatures are worth the money since they last for ages, but at the going prices you wouldn't want to experiment too much.

 

[kevgermany]

On the general advice about legere Signature being about a half strength softer than most, I bought a #2 ..... Iliked the sound, apart from the 'unwanted vibrato' which my notes had suddenly acquired, which I eventually figgered was due to the reed's being too soft

Anyone want a lightly-used, washable(!) Signature #2 for Alto ? (25 quid's worth of useless .... to me... translucent plastic!!)
I have gone back to a Fibracell Premier 2, and, occasionally, a Hahn ('Soft', I think), which was too hard, for me, until I sanded it quite a bit.

I read that you could exchange the Legeres if the strength was wrong. Even from Spain, it's worth trying.

 

[Rogerb]

I think it's a bit late now, Kev, but thanks for the thought ....and they don't seem to advertise that service, now, as they did when I bought a Studio Cut.