Reeds Rico Plasticover Reeds

[pcnnrs]

Hello,

I got my new sax home and realized that I didn't have any reeds. Fortunately, I came across a Rico in a drawer.

I jumped on Amazon and ended up ordering a box of the Plasticover reeds as they were on for a cheap price.

I've never used these reeds before, so I am wondering what to expect.

Anyone out there use them?

 

[Woodpad]

They are decent. When they get older the plastic scratches and water can enter the reed. At that time they become heavier and they play different.

 

[pcnnrs]

Thanks Woodpad, I am quite curious to try them.

 

[Nervous_Fingers]

They also play slightly brighter and edgy.

 

[Grumps]

I used to get them for my kid as they wouldn't break as easy. But I don't know... plastic coating on a reed. You're gonna eat that.

 

[lydian]

I never liked the sound. A dry reed is just brighter and harsher sounding than a wet reed. Besides, I haven't trusted plasticover since I first tried them back in the 70s. They were made with some unknown chemical back then that made my lips and tongue numb. Microplastics aside, I'm not a fan of toxic reeds. I've been told they don't do that anymore. But I'm not keen on spending any money to find out.

That said, many people apparently love them. I'm just not one of them.

I'll be interested to hear your experience, @pcnnrs .

 

[pcnnrs]

So far so good. Very responsive and good control at all dynamics. They are brighter I think, however, time will tell.

Still in the primary stage with them.

 

[thomsax]

So far so good. Very responsive and good control at all dynamics. They are brighter I think, however, time will tell.

Still in the primary stage with them.

I used to play plasticover. They gave me the "buzzz" and "cutting through" sound. I paid c 550. 00 :- for 5 baritone plasticover reeds and at the same time I bought a Mealite mouthpice for 525.00 :-!! Now I'm back playing LaVoz baritone reeds. They are unfiled and the plasticover are filed. I prefer unfiled reeds.

 

[Stephen Howard]

Plasticovers are a bit like Marmite - you either love it you hate it.
I've been using them for over 40 years or so now - mostly because I used to blow through two standard cane reeds in a gig....while fronting a 17-piece big band with no PA.
They blow a bit brighter than an equivalent cane reed, so it's worth bearing that in mind when choosing a mouthpiece. And they last. They really last.
I always bought strength 5 Plasticovers and spent a good few minutes blowing the hell out of them to bring them down to a 4 - after which they'd last me a good few gigs before they dropped down to around a strength 3. And then they get moved to the workshop where they sit on my test pieces.

 

[John Laughter]

Been using plasti's for many years for Rock & Roll gigs on alto, tenor and bari. They just produce a little more volume, bite and buzz than a regular cane reed for this style of music. There are other brands that will do just about the same, so it just depends on what works for you and the tone you are looking for on your gigs.

Out of a box of 5 you may find 2-3 that really do the job and a few that are dull. So, I buy 6 boxes at a time so that I have plenty of spares for the future.

As stated above you either like them or don't care for them. Just depends on what works for you and your style of music.

I use Rico Royal for concert band. They give a nice full mellow tone for this type of music.

 

[Woodpad]

I used to get them for my kid as they wouldn't break as easy. But I don't know... plastic coating on a reed. You're gonna eat that.

I am more worried about all the plastic I drank from water bottles.

 

[Colin the Bear]

I don't like the taste. 😝

 

[Stephen Howard]

Out of a box of 5 you may find 2-3 that really do the job and a few that are dull. So, I buy 6 boxes at a time so that I have plenty of spares for the future.

I seem to have a better hit-rate. Like you I find that three or so reeds will be just fine right out of the box - but I give the remainder a damn good blow and then put them back in another box. When I come back to them later they're usually fine.
However, every once in a while I come across one that just won't play ball.
Over the last few years I collected four of five of these - and then made the classic mistake of not setting up my horn on the night before a gig. Had I done so I'd have realised that I had no decent reeds left...only the nasties.
Ended up having to play the gig on a synthetic reed. It did OK - got the job done but wasn't much fun.

 

[John Laughter]

but I give the remainder a damn good blow and then put them back in another box.

I do the same and give them another try later. Sometimes it works