Reeds synthetic reed, forestone 'black bamboo'

[peterpick]

i do not normally use a synthetic reed, but it seems to me that i am now paying about a fiver for a tenor reed which i then promptly crack, split, chew or otherwise destroy. they simply dissolve. so i bought a forestone "black bamboo" reed and apart from the facts that it feels weird (of course) and that it is a bit sudden/hard on the attack, oh, and tht it is black, which makes it look as though you have forgotten to put it on an ebonite mouthpiece, it is a good thing.

forestone say that the reed contains bamboo fibres, but you wouldn't know by sucking it. it feels very like a piece of stiff plastic. it is shiny. the surface is subtly shaped.

in use it is violently responsive. it has improved my tonguing, i am more accurate. not that i am at all accurate, you understand, but i am better. it is too bright, even harsh if not treated carefully, but nothing like as ugly as the squeaky fibregrass bastards of my recollection.

anyone else tried one? what of the other flavours now available?

it will be great if it lasts a while.

 

[Merryfisher]

I have. Found them a bit chirpy, and a bit thin sounding. Also found that after playing them for half an hour they tended to soften and close up up on the altissimo range🥴.

So much better are Legeres (I like American & French Cut), and i really like the Hartmann Fiberreeds too, specially on my baritone

 

[mrblackbat]

I have one. It sounds horrible. The end.

 

[Mostlytenor]

I had one too. I found it teribly raucus and horrible.
If you want to try synthetics try Legere.

 

[mrblackbat]

I had one too. I found it teribly raucus and horrible.
If you want to try synthetics try Legere.

I don't care for Legere either; Hartmann Fiberreed Carbon are the only one's I've tried that come remotely close.

 

[Eulipion2]

I loved the Black Bamboo, but they went limp after about 20 minutes and I had to rotate them out. Fine, though frustrating, for home practice, but would not work on a gig. It’s a shame because they definitely had potential to replace Legeres in my setups.

 

[Ivan]

I found the Firestone didn't have staying power either. Also the edges were uncomfortably sharp

 

[ellinas]

I tried it and i didn't like it. I strongly prefer Legeres. The French cut is wonderful for tenor

 

[peterpick]

this is all good information for me, people, many thanks. as i say i was personally surprised by how much better it was than the old synthetics used to be. i shall have a go at a legere, then, and see what that' s like. thanks to you all.

 

[jazzdoh]

I tried a number of Forestone reeds different models and didn't like them, initially they blowed ok but after 20mins of playing they softened up, this was a number of years ago.

 

[peterpick]

thanks. i think things have moved on recently, but othzer people mentioned going soft, which seems odd with a synthetic reed..... isn't avoiding that why they make them? still, i do find this one a bit squeaky and i ordered a legere to try by comparison - but it's a lot more expensive.

 

[mrblackbat]

I did a reed comparison video last year, along with thoughts, Legere, Forestone Black Bamboo, Silverstone Ambipoly and Hartmann Fiberreed carbon all included:

View: https://youtu.be/pq-F6TwybZ0?si=hc2T0vP8DrIrSQ7-


And the thoughts/order:

View: https://youtu.be/ZY2fmnQDC6s?si=TwrjMTCIUGljp-h9

 

[Ivan]

And the thoughts/order:

View: https://youtu.be/ZY2fmnQDC6s?si=TwrjMTCIUGljp-h9

I am interested that you found the Légère had uncomfortably sharp edges, yet the Firestone was acceptable. I find the exact opposite. No sharp bits on polypro but the bamboo resin was incisive

As for tone... I'm not hearing much difference between any of your reed choices

But, clearly feedback through your gob is important in playing enjoyment

 

[mrblackbat]

Obviously when it's your own sound and you hear it all the time, you really drill into the differences. I did have a comparison with an Ambipoly and a Fiberreed as well, need to work out where it was and link it. The Fiberreed carbon is easily the best synthetic I've tried (their hemp was god awful), but still not up to a good cane reed.

The Legere has a real buzz to it for me, as does the Black Bamboo, but the Black Bamboo responds better.

Found the other examples:-

ReedComparison2 – Google Drive

drive.google.com

I'll leave them without answers for the moment to see which you prefer; the reeds in play are Forestone Black Bamboo MH, Gonzalez Jazz Local 627 3, Hartmann Fiberreed Carbon M, Legere American Cut 2.75, Rigotti Gold Blue 3L, Silverstein Ambipoly 2.5+

 

[peterpick]

thanks everyone for your input. i did buy a legere also to check - they cost a lot more by the way - and it's okay but it's still squeaky or buzzy or howtever you want to frame that complaint. i think they're better then they used to be, i don't think they are good, and i return to making soggy, broken, mouldy and raggy-ended reeds from actual cane at great expense.