Reeds Tenor Rico reeds

[Tyrone Hopes]

What is the nearest reed to the old Rico Royals? I've recently returned to playing Tenor sax and I'm running out of my old supplies. I can't find any Rico's anywhere except 'by D'Addario' - I've tried their 2.5 Ricos and they feel so different - tougher. Maybe I need to try a 2 instead. Or is there a 'real' Rico reed somewhere? Please let me know your thoughts. BTW my interest is jazz / improv.

 

[Pete Thomas]

I've tried their 2.5 Ricos and they feel so different - tougher.

Try 2s then could be they are grading them differently

 

[Colin the Bear]

D'Addario took over Rico quite some time ago.

D'Addario "Rico" are what used to be orange box Rico. American cut.

D'Addario "Royal" are what used to be Rico Royal. French filed.

D'Addario do quite a range of Regular/American cut and French filed reeds.

 

[Pete Thomas]

D'Addario "Rico" are what used to be orange box Rico. American cut.

What, you don’t remember the brown box?

 

[skeller047]

I certainly remember the brown box - I still have some LOL! The closest modern reed to an OLD Rico (brown box, and early orange box pre-D’Addario) is Rigotti and Boston Sax Shop black box. The D’Addario Select Jazz are in the same ballpark, but not quite as good. This is for tenor; alto is the reverse for me with BSS black being closest to the old Ricos.

The current Ricos have a weak heart, and that goes for the Royals too. (I think they are the same, just filed vs. unfiled.) Just my opinion, of course, your mileage may vary.

 

[Tyrone Hopes]

Thanks a lot guys. I will give these a try.

 

[Grumps]

I played Rico Royals for decades, but that ended when the guitar string company bought them. Boxes of unplayable reeds had me looking elsewhere until finally landing on Vandoren Green Java reeds. Been playing those now, on my second decade, for alto, tenor and soprano.

 

[Colin the Bear]

Everything went up a half strength across the board when D'Addario took over.

 

[Pete Thomas]

Everything went up a half strength across the board when D'Addario took over.

“Why?” We ask ourselves.

 

[turf3]

It was my understanding that Rico Royal and Rico are/were the exact same reed except for the "filed" bit where they cut the bark off. It seems to be very clear that La Voz and Rico are/were the exact same reed except for the trademark stamped and the strength grading. So if I were looking for "Rico Royal"s, I'd try La Voz and Rico.

Of course, if you'll agree to just adjust the reeds that're too stiff, you can use 'em up.

 

[skeller047]

My impression is that Rico and Royal went down in strength when D’Addario took over. A 3 1/2 now is like a 3 used to be, referring to Ricos of yesteryear. This happened because they changed the cut, making the tip longer, thus weakening the spine, to make them more beginner-friendly.

I believe they want to move the pro users to the Select Jazz line, which was more expensive. But that’s just an assumption on my part, maybe the long-storied D’Addario family sincerely wanted to make a better reed for both students and pros. Of course, I understand there’s also a bridge for sale in NYC…