Reeds rico vs rico royal

raindog · May 11, 2008

Need to buy some reeds!
Not had the sax long but it came with a couple vandoren 1.5 and 2s which didnt last long. Bought a few rico 2s after that which I preferred to the vandorens. Was going to try 2.5s on recommendation from teacher and have been having a look on fleabay and can get a box of 10 quite cheap. Also noticed I could get rico royals for not much more.

Would it be worthwhile getting the royals? What are the differences? I would assume the royals to be "better" but is it anything a beginner would notice or be hindered by?
ta

Saxlicker · May 11, 2008

Just like mouthpieces its a personal thing, in fact more so!

Read the claims on the reed manufactures websites and dilute them a bit.

3 things about a reed for me.
1) Without understanding why, some reeds allow me a greater range of expression.
2) I pick a type that have been most consistant in doing so.
3) Don't try too much and lose a bench mark.

Where has that taken me?

Vandoren Jazz select 2.5 on alto
La Voz Medium Hard on Tenor
Rico 2.5 on Baritone
What have you? Soprano 2 or 2.5

phil_edwards · May 11, 2008

I've always used Rico. For many years I used Rico Royal, but recently switched to Rico Jazz Select. They cost a bit more, but they are so much more consistent and reliable.

Rico Royal - I'd find between 2 & 4 in a box of 10 that I just didn't get on with.

Rico Jazz Select - never had a bad one. Cost a bit more but they're ALL good.

Phil

Bobby G · May 11, 2008

Crikey, the great reed debate - it's such a personal thing, but for me if all that was available was Rico or Rico Royals i'd go for the latter just because to me they sound more like I want to sound. Standard Rico, like Vandoren blue-box are often seen as a starter or learner reed, although both, especially the Vandorens seem to serve more experienced players very well; as I say, it's very much a personal thing, and if you can get what you want from the cheapest reeds that's fine.

Jazz Selects are a bit of a step up in terms of price, but are worth the bit extra that you pay - although I've found them less consistent recently than they used to be, they are still pretty good. Although my own preference is for Alexander reeds I'll use the RJS if I can't get the Alexanders. RJS are noticeably brighter and edgier than Royals or Vandorens.

raindog · May 11, 2008

Bit the bullet and bought a box of 10 rico royal 2.5s. ?15.55 plus a pound p+p. Would probably just have gone for the regular ricos again if I hadnt noticed the royals on the 'bay.
Rico website makes them out to be slightly superior. Didnt like Vandorens at all really. Only problem with the ricos was they all seemed to warp after using them once! didnt seem to affect play though once theyd been moistened the next day. Hoping the increasing the strength will prevent this.
My teacher uses ricos too but think its plasticover he uses, may try them out at some point if these keep going wavy on me!
For tenor by the way.

Bobby G · May 11, 2008

Some reeds do tend to go a bit wavy, especially if you don't put them back in the reed holder after use, having first given them a bit of a wipe. If the end is a bit wavy, a couple of minutes good old sucking to moisten them will usually straighten them out.

raindog · May 12, 2008

yeah ended up leaving them in a glass of water for a bit before using them and that seemed to help!

Thaumaturge · May 12, 2008

Raindog,

you could have bought Rico Royal for ?15.75 including postage from reeds-direct.co.uk. Ebay is not always the cheapest option.

Colin

nick_cook · May 12, 2008

[color:green]They're only ?11.95 inc. P&P at Dawkes!![/color]

:whistle:

raindog · May 12, 2008

did a quick google search and couldnt come up with any decent prices but im not finding google too helpful these days. Got them for ?15.55 plus ?1 p+p so cant complain.
Thanks for the links though!

mfox · May 12, 2008

rico +lolly stick
rico royal + delux lolly stick

if your serious about playing sax you need to invest some time and money in finding a good set up and using a bog standard rico isn't gonna cut it.

at the end of the day they work out as expensive as the more pricey reed because of the half box you throw away

Bobby G · May 12, 2008

mfox wrote:
rico +lolly stick
rico royal + delux lolly stick

if your serious about playing sax you need to invest some time and money in finding a good set up and using a bog standard rico isn't gonna cut it.

at the end of the day they work out as expensive as the more pricey reed because of the half box you throw away

When I first started playing I used Rico Standard (orange box) reeds to get me going, which was a good start, but I soon started experimenting with other reeds; they're ok in that respect until you formulate an idea of what kind of sound you're after. Other than that they're fine for that initial burst of euphoria you get when you actually start playing some recognisable notes, or even tunes. Looking back, I think that one of the main problems with those reeds (apart from inconsistency) could be termed, umm, longevity issues i.e. they're cheap but don't last long, so it's worth spending a bit more.

TomMapfumo · May 12, 2008

Rico Jazz Selects are superb! Its an individual thing but for me they beat Rico Royales, Vandoren V16's (2nd), Java's, ZZ's, Alexander DC Superials,
Marca Jazz in my own tests.

I personally soak mine in antiseptic mouthwash and they seem to last a good time especially when rotated in a Vandoren reed case.

Regards
Tom