Reeds Reed advice Please

[greg_strange]

I play about a dozen different reeds on approx. 5 different mouthpieces on alto, which I rotate on a regular basis, most reeds I get on with - certain reeds appear to work better on different mouthpieces, but one reed I find difficult to play is the Vandoren ZZ 3 - it's like playing a kauri tree (a large NZ native hardwood). Sometimes it pays to buy a couple of reeds of each brand/different strenght, then work out what works for you. I like playing the Vandoren ZZ 2.5 though, and the Hemke 3 plays good on my trusty old Meyer 5M.

Regards,
Greg Strange.

 

[Smiffy]

Hi Greg, You don't really get many of the big names on ebay, mostly beginner stuff or sometimes a Yamaha 62, Last year they were selling for about ?750 secondhand this year ?5 to 600

I see in your profile you have been made redundant 🙁 , What is your line of work and what do you plan to do

I'm in building and it's getting pretty bad

 

[Smiffy]

Greg Living and learning every day

 

[Smiffy]

Will be picking some of the RSJ's and others up today, will let you know how it works out

 

[TomMapfumo]

Hi Smiffy!

Good luck with your upcoming research. I'll just have to imagine what it is like to buy something from an actual music store, but may be staying in Wimbledon for a few days in August so may just give it a go.

Kind regards
Tom 8)

 

[Smiffy]

Hi Tom yeah it is nice to go into a Sax shop in the west end .... I did say Sax!!

A trip from Wimbledon to the west end is pretty easy, you should do it

 

[Smiffy]

I'm back already, just very quickly run some scales on
RJS 2M, 2H unfiled and Hemke 3

One of them is sounding and playing Heavenly (to my ears)

Can you guess which one ?

Going to give them all a good bash this afternoon and will report back what I think

 

[Smiffy]

Ok here we go, this is IMHO with new reeds as they came, no playing around with them, they will no doubt change and I will post again when they do

Set -up is
Jupiter Alto 769
Soloist C*

The RJS 2M unfiled

This I feel is just to soft, buzzed about and high pitched, I don't feel that it's any different that a cheaper standard Rico, I think the Plasticover are better than this

The RJS 2H unfiled Wow much much better, this kills a ZZ dead IMHO

Top to bottle it eased into every note good tone, quick to respond and played soft to loud with no problems

A bit of an edge to everything but not a lot which is what many want

Very good

The Hemke 3

Oh dear................... this is going to cost me, the most expensive but Wow

Just wonderful, Clear tone sharp and quick warm and centered from top to bottom, really really nice at the bottom, not really a Jazz feel to it even though it's french cut/filed

The only thing I'm worried about is their durability,
the 2.5 I tried before split after just a few plays, may have just been unlucky with that reed, Who knows

Conclusion

For now I will keep playing the RSJ 2H and Hemke 3 and see how they wear-in

I think they are both worth having depending on what you are playing and the sound you want

Happy days

 

[TomMapfumo]

Good feedback!

I thought you were trying the RJS 3S, not the 2M? What happened? I use the 2M's on a Selmer H facing (7*) so understand why they were not quite right. I have also got some LaVoz MS's for the wider facing and they are shaping up well. Glad you found 2 useable alternatives, and are back to being a happy bunny!

Kind regards
Tom

 

[Smiffy]

TomMapfumo wrote:
Good feedback!

I thought you were trying the RJS 3S, not the 2M? What happened? I use the 2M's on a Selmer H facing (7*) so understand why they were not quite right. I have also got some LaVoz MS's for the wider facing and they are shaping up well. Glad you found 2 useable alternatives, and are back to being a happy bunny!

Kind regards
Tom

2H 3S yeah yeah :erm: yes indeedy I was but umm


There was this Elephant with BIG teeth and a mustache ........... nicked them off me he did ............. shot off in that zeppelin that's flying around London.......... and my new?300 naffing glasses had to go back

 

[Smiffy]

Ok here is my up-date and a couple of other things

The RJS 2M's are still in the draw
:erm:

The RJS' 2H are what I have been using the most but having some problems, not sure if it's me but I can almost play these dry ?

but then they get too wet and very quickly

The Hemke's I'm sort of saving them as my best, saving them for what, I don't know, they are better than the RJS 2H in the lower notes

Something else, I have a Plasticover 2.5 , Now when I first tried this on the soloist is was far to weak, I tried it again and it was okish

But now it will not play at all, nothing wrong with it as far as I can see What's that about :S


Tom I will get some RJS 3's before to say 😉

 

[TomMapfumo]

Hi Smiffy!

It may be that the reeds are just too soft at the tip given the facing size of the mouthpiece. I have a set of 3S's which I could swap you for the 2M's if you want to PM me. I use 2H's or V16 2.5's on my Alto but my mouthpieces are rated at 85 & 90 facing, and can bend without closing the gap. Also, have a look on the 'Superials website about reed preparation. Since adopting this approach I have little difficulty with 'soggy' reed tips. Massaging the tips makes them much less likely to absorb excessive moisture.

Anyway this week I do be investigating Gonzalez reeds.
Kind regards
Tom

 

[Smiffy]

Evening Tom, I had a look on the Superial site, it's pretty much what I do anyway

I will PM you about a swop

Gonzalez reeds .... oh yeah I forgot about them :erm: :S :erm:

 

[Smiffy]

Hi again,
I have been trying some RJS's that Tom sent me, as he knows thay did not work out too well

I now think I'm going to stick by the Hemke's and RJS 2H's but...

I did see something on Sax.co about Lavoz M's (Thanks also to Thomas) being a good reed for my Soloist, when I am next in Sax.co I will get a couple

While I have found better reeds to play, none have really changed the sound/pitch/tone of my horn

So I'm guessing nothing will, it's just the way it is

 

[justin_chune]

I get on fine with Rico Royal #2 reeds on my Selmer mouthpiece. Have you tried them?

 

[Smiffy]

Hi Justin, yes I have along with standard rico's, most reeds do play ok but I was looking for that something extra nice from the reed