Reeds Plastic reeds

[Mamos]

C'mon then tell me all about plastic reeds.

Are they any good?

Why aren't we all using them?

discuss

mamos

 

[Bobby G]

Some people like them a lot, so I bought one for experimental purposes. I really didn't get on with it, I found it inflexible and stuffy, very resistant. Maybe I just bought the wrong one, but at eleven quid a throw I wasn't going back for more.

Apart from anything else, I like the taste of a fresh bit of cane off a new reed.

 

[dooce]

I'm with you Bobby. I keep trying with my Rico Plasticover, and even though it looks suitably sinister in black (or like a skinny liquorice bar), it doesn't work for me.

 

[Chris98]

Hi Mamos,

I usually play Vandoren Java 3s but after having a wonderful reed die on me on Friday I reached for my L?g?re after getting frustrated that I couldn't find another reed that played as well.

Generally I prefer cane but would rather put on a L?g?re and carry on playing than faff about trying to find a reed that wants to play nice!

In short a brilliant cane reed will always be my preference but the L?g?re is consistent and imho not a bad substitute by any means.

If anyone is interested I found the 2.5 L?g?re Studio Cut closest to a Java 3 (alto)

All the best,

Chris

 

[Rogerb]

I got a few Fibracell Premier Reeds from ebay at, iirc, about $9 each plus shipping.
I try them occsionally and think they are OK, but not as nice as Jazz Selects. They have the advantages, of course, of not needing to be wetted and of having the consistency which 'bamboo' reeds sadly lack.

Excellent 'standby' reeds.
They seem to run about a half-unit 'harder' than RJS (I use RJS 2S & 2M, and Fibracell Premier #1.5-#2)

 

[Jules]

Plasticovers- love 'em. Fibracells- pretty god, consistent, a few of the guys in the shop swear by them- you can convince yourself they're a normal cane reed while you're playing. BARI- an acquired taste, lots of baritone players like 'em....

 

[AlbionLass]

I always have a Legere in my reed case as an 'if all else fails' spare.

 

[Mamos]

Thanks for the great replies Guys

Would you recommend them for beginners?

mamos

 

[mrjulian]

Someone told me once that Earl Bostic used a razor blade in place of a reed (suitably blunted, I guess). Anyone else heard that?

I used Plasticovers for some time, now back on cane. They make different sounds and I guess my tastes have changed over the years.
Still keep one handy in case of emergencies tho

 

[josh_johnson]

Maybe try the Rico plasticovers. I've always found them consistent and loud. It does depend on what sound you want, for example: Yamaha+Guardala mpc+plasticovers= Bright, piercing sound that will decapitate the front row.

I only wish the sax player at the Lehman Bros Christmas do 14 months ago had had this set up.

But once you've got into the cane, its very hard to move on to synthetic alternatives, aye.

 

[Pauline]

Well I'm a beginner ( 18 months on tenor) and I like Fibracells. Seem just as good to me but maybe that's because I AM a beginner 😉

I found faffing around with cane reeds depressing and expensive. I know where I am with a Fibracell!

 

[TomMapfumo]

I have used Bari* plastic reeds on both Alto & Tenor but did find them slightly neutral sounding and do prefer a decent reed (Francois Louis Excellence reeds are awesomely consistent & great sounding - as are several others including Rico Jazz Selects).

So they were fine but not sufficiently pleasing.
Kind regards
Tom 8)

 

[Mamos]

I might try some and see how I get on

Try anything once eh

mamos

 

[justin_chune]

Rico Plasticovers are Rico Royal cane reeds coated in plastic and they are a good place to start. They always work and I always have one in the case. I prefer good cane.

Jim.

 

[Bobby G]

dooce wrote:
I'm with you Bobby. I keep trying with my Rico Plasticover, and even though it looks suitably sinister in black (or like a skinny liquorice bar), it doesn't work for me.

I was originally talking about synthetic reeds, I forgot about the old Plasticovers. I tired 'em once, bought a few 2's and a few 3's as they didn't have any 2.5's, and guess what, 2.5 is what I should have gone for. I quite liked 'em, as it goes, they do blow more like a real reed even if they taste funny.

 

[Jules]

plasticovers- good, bright, reliable and taste horrible first time you use 'em (but that goes pretty quickly)!

 

[Col]

I started using plasticovers last summer and think they're great. I used to use Rico Jazz selects but so many were either off or didn't last long, bought a box of plasticovers and 90% perfect and they last longer. Worth the extra cost.
I liked the sound as well, nice and bright but with that woody, breathy sound when you need it. Found you need a slightly stronger Plasticover to Select.
Never noticed the taste, but then I've been told my mouth is like a sewer at times 😛

 

[losaavedra]

I'm still slapping nail varnish on my cane reeds. Personally find them easier to play than my plasticovers and they last for ever once (uhm) treated. Never noticed any different taste but I'm a bit concerned about the third ear that's growing out of the top of my head!

 

[chris_curtis]

I moved to plasticovers a little while ago. Like them a lot. Jazz selects can make a much nicer sound, but only when the tide is in, there is a westerly breeze and on every alternate Wednesday. Other times they just did not have the mojo. Plasticovers are 90% as good, every single time, IMHO.

Seriously, as a beginner (coming up a year) having confidence with the plasticovers that the reed is not the problem has done wonders for my progress. Those odd times when things do not quite work must be down to something I am doing, so I have to figure it out (usually a result of standing and breathing sloppily). "Real" reeds are a mysterious black art and there is already more than enough magic and mystery about playing the sax! The plasticovers seem more "reliable" somehow plus I like the "woody" sound.

 

[Lockjaw]

losaavedra wrote:
I'm still slapping nail varnish on my cane reeds.

Oh? What colour? [As I once said to the neighbour who announced she'd had her cat 'sprayed'.]

I may be a Luddite, but I just don't like the idea, it sounds horribly inorganic. And I love the taste of a new reed. So I've never tried one, perhaps I should.

At the same time, I'd be interested in other views, but it seems to me that cane reed quality and consistency has improved hugely over the years. So when I started playing in the '70's I recall I'd typically throw 4 out of a box of 10 as being sub-standard. Admittedly that was with bog-standard Vandorens. Whereas now I reckon it's maybe only 1 or 2 in 10 with V16s or RJS. What do other people think? [Sorry if that should be a new topic or has been covered elsewhere.]