Reeds Synthetic Reed for my MPC

[Van]

Good day to all..

I need some advise on what synthetic reed (brand and size number) and also cane reeds to get for my S125 Selmer alto mpc. I need a synthetic reed so that i wont be wasting reeds during my practice session.
Im thinking of using a cane for a classical sound and for the synthetic a bright one.

as of the moment I am using the rico plastic coated #3.

Thanks a lot in advance.

 

[kevgermany]

Does the plasticover give you full range of notes and sound good? If so stick with it.

If you want to spend money on plastic, check the comparison charts for the reed you intend to use and pick the strength closest to the plasticover. Any Rico 3 would be Ok as a reference.

 

[majordennis]

I have a Legere which of the synthetics I found most suited me, it does offer the pick up and play option, they last a long time, and when I had a problem their customer service department was excellent but I still prefer a Plasticover 3. Legere equivalent for me was a 2.25.

 

[Colin the Bear]

Wasting reeds? I could probably build an Ark. It's not a waste. It's all part of playing. The preferences of saxophonists are equal to the number of saxophonists. It's very personal. If you have something that works, stick with it. Chopping and changing will confuse your embouchure.

It is always a surprise to me when some one produces a pleasing sound on a synthetic or a plasticover. I hate them. The reeds that is lol

 

[jazzdoh]

It is always a surprise to me when some one produces a pleasing sound on a synthetic or a plasticover. I hate them. The reeds that is lol

Pete Thomas seems to do a fine job on his Legere

 

[Colin the Bear]

Yes. I know several players who use them successfully. It could be the taste that puts me off or the texture.

 

[jazzdoh]

Yes. I know several players who use them successfully. It could be the taste that puts me off or the texture.

Yes you could be right,I'm used to synthetics now but i found the texture took some time to get used to after cane.

 

[MandyH]

I have a Legere plastic reed on my Bari - a 2.25 strength. According to the charts, this sits between a 2.5 and a 3 of a Rico Royal reed reed.

It is perfect - I can play it easily and it never softens and blocks off the mpc. For me a 2.5 Rico Royal was too soft and a 3 was too hard.

 

[Ivan]

I've tried Legere and Forestone and when I play them I seem to get a tone that isn't what I'm after: more of a quacking sound with Legere and the Forestone is thin and bright... Perhaps more experimentation with strength might yield different results but it's an expensive gamble

 

[Rob Pealing]

I am an apprentice sax player and I took the plunge and invested in a Legere Studio cut about a week ago and after using for about an hour a day since have decided I like it. I have to be very particular to get it on the MP accurately. Both my wife and I think it gives a slightly different tone to the Rico Orange and Royals that I have. As for strength I went with a 1.5 on my Yamaha 6C MP, I have Rico 2's which I get on with and this is (according to the Leger comparison chart ) a little softer ( the shop did not have and exact match to the Rico ) and I am getting on with it fine all the way from low Bb to top F# ( though I cannot finger anything above top D well enough to use it in a tune). I like the plug and play aspect and the consistency. They so not feel the same in your mouth but it is not unpleasant, just different.

 

[Rob Pealing]

My local music shop, Long and McQuade, who have been very accommodating, in Halifax ( local = 2hrs drive) gave me the chance to try a Legere Signature and I have switched to that. It is a 2.25 and seems a close match to my Rico 2 and I seem to get on with it better.
I also tried an a standard Alto 2 which was very stiff indeed and I could not get on with.
I think the lesson from this is that if you want to try a Legere either you have to find an accommodating shop or risk having to spend a fair bit to find the one that suits you. .

 

[kevgermany]

Last I heard was that you could exchange legeres. Didn't require the shop to be accommodating, it was standard policy.

 

[ProfJames]

Here is their policy.........http://www.legere.com/guarantee

 

[Rob Pealing]

The exchange policy for Canada is to ship it back to them, no mention of returning it to the shop,

 

[ProfJames]

That is the Legere return policy for exchange worldwide

 

[Matabayahsi]

I really like my legere signature 2.5 I really dont see any differences with the range of sounds I can make comparing with cane vandoren 2. and I dont have to be paranoid about chipping it so easily while passing around a mouthpiece to see people`s faces when they cant make any sound

 

[ellinas]

Legere singature reeds sound to me close to Vandoren Blue. They're not bright at all.
They feel different and they need some time to adjust your embouchoure, but if you keep playing them they're OK.

I think a legere signature with a kind of brighter mouthpiece is perfect

 

[Jonesy]

I have tried Fibracell 2 and 2.5 (plastic & kevlar) and they are fine, especially with metal mpces.
I normally use Rico Plasticover 2.

I also have a BARI plastic that is rated medium/soft, but it is a very hard blow.

I have a bit of GAS that may be satisfied with a Legere Signature when at sax.co.uk tomorrow.

 

[John Setchell]

D’Addario Venn review:
Hmm - “Different”
I play two mouthpieces on my tenor, a Yamaha Custom and a ‘shouty’ Berg Larson, both about 2mm tip opening with Légère Studio 2.0 synthetic reed. I’ve tried various combinations and have gravitated to these.
The new 2.0 Venn is a hard blow which I’d rate at 2.5, but the bottom end is Amazing if I put the effort in! Quite loud but also responds to softer breathy blows.
The top end? Not so much… E F F# I can just about get on the Yamaha, but not (yet) on the Berg, but then I’m a Newbie.
Personally I think it’ll take me a bit of work to convert to the Venn, but will probably be worth it