Reeds [Poll] Large opening, soft reed or...

[Moz]

Wonder if this works...

What do you generally use when it comes to mpc/reed combinations?

 

[Jules]

Doesn't this come down to definitions of large and hard (Oo er! ). I use a Berg Larsen 115 (8*) for rock gigs (which i guess is large opening soft-ish reed), 7* and Str. 3 reeds for everything else (not sure about what that counts as...?)

 

[Mikec]

nachoman you're right to ask what constitutes a large opening. I would classify anything bigger than a Yamaha 4C as large, but that may not follow. I use No. 2 reeds which are definitely soft I think.

 

[josh_johnson]

Large opening (RPC 115), relatively soft reed (Rico Jazz Select 2M). I used to play Large and Hard when I was younger, but ended up busting my chops and was advised to stop playing (I stopped for about a year).

I now try to use a set up that uses more tonal edge and volume (if needed) without feeling like I've just chewed my way through a 16oz steak every time I play.

 

[jonf]

Mikec wrote:
nachoman you're right to ask what constitutes a large opening. I would classify anything bigger than a Yamaha 4C as large, but that may not follow. I use No. 2 reeds which are definitely soft I think.

Mike, my view is that all Yamaha mouthpieces have a very small tip opening. The 4c tenor is 1.7mm or .067", and even the 7c is only 2mm, or .079". By comparison, a sort of medium tenor tip opening, say an Otto Link 6* or 7, have a tip opeining of .095" and .1". I'd have said large was anything above a tip opening of .110" or 2.8mm, say an Otto Link 8 or above.

For what it's worth, on tenor I play a RPC.115, but I rarely use a reed any harder than a RJS 2M.

IMHO, none of these are better or worse, and there's no boasting or extra machismo from playing a hard reed or a wide opening - it's just personal preference.

 

[nosaxyet]

My Jody Jazz DV NY is a 7* (.105) and I'm now using a Marca Jazz 3 reed on Tenor. Dunno if that's wide and hard - probably the open side of medium and hard side of medium.

I previously used an Ottolink 6 ebonite with a zz 2.5 on alto.

 

[thomsax]

Moutpiece tenor; Rovner Deep-VD40 #8 (c .115) tenor with Vandoren V16 3?-4 or Lavoz baritone MH reeds.
Mouthpiece baritone. Dukoff D9 (c.125) with LaVoz M or MH reeds.

 

[Bobby G]

A qualified large opening/soft reed here - not very large (Yani 7) and not very soft (2.5)

 

[stephen_boniface]

I get plenty of volume and control from a Jody Jazz 7 with a V16 2 reed on a Yani Alto. However, I do find I get through reeds quite quickly.

Struggling to find what works well on my Hanson Tenor, but I suspect problems with the horn - better take it back to get it seen to!

 

[Linky Lee]

I think I play medium opening, medium to hard reed.

I use a Vandoren T75 on tenor with a Vandoren 3 reed.
On alto I use a Yanigasawa 6 with Vandoren 3 reed.

None of those pieces are huge, but they're not exactly small either. I always used to use 2.5 reeds but found my chops have developed and instead of upgrading the mouthpiece to a wider one (Yani 8 or T95) I've gone for a harder reed.

 

[thehunt]

I use 8* PPT with Rico jazz selects 2.5. Works for me