Reeds What's your poison?

[AlanB]

Hi all,

I am just about to order a selection of different reeds and strengths from our good friends in Crowborough.....

Before I do I thought it would be a nice idea to take a poll of peoples preferences and why.

Which sax do you play?
What reed mark and manufacturer do you use?
What strength do you use?
What sound are you most interested in achieving?

I play Tenor and am currently using Vandoren Java 2.5.
I am interested in achieving a rocky, R&B sound, a bit raucous. Maybe a bit like Sax Gordon if I can. But I am not to sure about my reed selection yet, hence I would like to try a few different ones.

How about you.....?

 

[Jules]

Hi all,

I am just about to order a selection of different reeds and strengths from our good friends in Crowborough.....

Before I do I thought it would be a nice idea to take a poll of peoples preferences and why.

Which sax do you play?
What reed mark and manufacturer do you use?
What strength do you use?
What sound are you most interested in achieving?

I play Tenor and am currently using Vandoren Java 2.5.
I am interested in achieving a rocky, R&B sound, a bit raucous. Maybe a bit like Sax Gordon if I can. But I am not to sure about my reed selection yet, hence I would like to try a few different ones.

How about you.....?

sound wise I'm also mainly tenor and in a pretty similar vein to yourself (Sam Butera's my main man for R&B), though I try and drift off into Ben Webster territory(I wish!), who's actually a lot more rocky than most folks think a lot of the time ..... listen to Cottontail.....
I usually use V16s (find Javas sound good but don't behave well when I really blast them, V16s hold up better at high volumes). LaVoz & Rico plasticovers also do the job ok for me (fibracells and Rico Jazz Select are the other obviou candidates). Strengths- 2.5 on my trusty Berg Larsen 115/2 (8*) or 3 on my PPT or Berg Larsen ebonite 105 (both 7*)

 

[daveysaxboy]

I agree with Nachoman and i use V16 3'S OR LA VOZ M'S on Tenor (Mauriat 66RUL) Nacho also play's a 66r tenor.For me the Java's are great sounding reed's but i find them to soft at the tip and they dont last as long and for me V16'S are the top reed for that rock,blue's style in your face attack sound,you can push them hard as you like and they keep on going with you.La voz are atad darker sounding but again there strong and hold up to alot of force so on tenor i use V16 3'S, ALTO LA VOZ M'S,SOPRANO LA VOZ M'S.

 

[Taz]

Hi Alan, I play Rock 'n' Roll mainly and find that standard Vandoran 2.5 do me very nicely. I use a Runyon Quantum mpc with an Eddie Daniels lig. The horn is a very basic student model Amati. I want to achieve a dirty gravely rock 'n' roll sound and I think this set up suits my needs. When I want to, it'll play soft and mellow too.

 

[dooce]

I've just gone from a Conn 10M, which I played as raucously as I could using Java 2.5s in a Lawton 7 piece, to a Cannonball Raven which, to be honest I am still exploring. Currently I are mostly using standard 2.5 Vandorens or La Voz in an Link STM6 which gives a much more mellow sound than the Conn, but the instrument responds to almost every mouthpiece/reed combination I have tried (oops, in danger of wandering off-topic and babbling on about what a fabulous sax the Cannonball is - again )

Did I mention I recently bought a Cannonball Raven tenor?

))

 

[Chris Jones]

I also play tenor, two options here.

Berg Larsen with LA VOZ M'S for rock and lifting the volume and projection. For the Ballads Selmer C90 with Jazz Select M'S

 

[Chris Jones]

Did I mention I recently bought a Cannonball Raven tenor?
))

Me too. Still prefer my Yanagasawi.

 

[dooce]

Me too. Still prefer my Yanagasawi.

It was down to a Yani or the CB with me.

Bling won.

 

[Saxlicker]

For tenor (as my main axe) I find La Voz MH very consistant and I am able to manipulate the tone and expression and the way they project for a long time before they feel too soft and dull. That said I don't enjoy the first 3 or 4 blows so much as it's a tad hard but the benefits that follow outweigh that issue.

 

[Chris Jones]

It was down to a Yani or the CB with me.

Bling won.

Know what ya mean, Selmer or flash for for my second tenor.

 

[Jules]

Hi Alan, I play Rock 'n' Roll mainly and find that standard Vandoran 2.5 do me very nicely. I use a Runyon Quantum mpc with an Eddie Daniels lig. The horn is a very basic student model Amati. I want to achieve a dirty gravely rock 'n' roll sound and I think this set up suits my needs. When I want to, it'll play soft and mellow too.

if your quantum is anything like my old runyon smoothbore any reed, regardless of make or (to some extent) strength, plays exactly the same on it!
as Jon F, he's got it now....

 

[Nick Cook]

I've got a Hanson SA5 Alto and use a standard Vandoren 2 strength reed with a Meyer 5 mouthpiece.

I'm quite happy with any sound that comes out!!!

 

[Col]

I play tenor and used to swear by Jazz Selects until I discovered Plasticovers. They are more expensive but generally more consistent and last longer. Also they don't go mushy during a long gig.

I use 3.5 with a metal Otto link 7* on a Borgani (pre-Ponzol). Gives the volume and bite when needed but also allows for smokey ballads. Gotta say I've never been happier with my tone.... just wish everything else would match.

 

[jonf]

if your quantum is anything like my old runyon smoothbore any reed, regardless of make or (to some extent) strength, plays exactly the same on it!
as Jon F, he's got it now....

Yup, it rocks, regardless. The only reed I've found which makes much of a difference was a synthetic Fiberreed carbon fibre thing. That was just a little bit tooooo much.

I play Rico Jazz Selects on all my saxes. Just suits me.

 

[Col9]

My main sax is a Walstein Bari prototype with a Yani lig and yani hard rubber 5 mouthpiece and Rico jazz select 2m reeds. Not sure what my perfect sound is yet but I'm really happy with one coming out at the moment.

My alto is a Hanson sa8 with alternating between a vintage Buscher truetone and a vintage berg larsen (100/1/m) mouthpiece's. The TT is all soft mellow and lovely while the Berg is a bit loud and more exciting both played with Rico royal 2.5's

I'm quite sure when played by someone better or more experienced than me they will sound different/even better untill I can prove it myself no real plans to change.

col.

 

[thomsax]

I played differnt Dukoffs and Berg Larsens metals on tenor for many years and my reeds were LAVoz MH/H and lately Vandoren V16 3½/4. For half a year ago I decided to try something new. My new setup on tenor is: Rovner Deep-V D40 with Massload ligature. I use Rico Royal Plasticcover baritone reeds 3½-4 depending on how much I play. This setup is powerful and the bottom tones is very good. It's easy to play "barilines" on my tenor!! The high notes is harder to controlle. I just play two notes out of the range of my sax: F# and B. Blues, R&B and Rock 'n' Roll are my type of music. I like the greasy and fat sound of Noble "Thin Man" Watts.

On baritone: Dukoff D9 (refaced), BG std lig and Rico Royal Plasticover 3½. I have a recording with Big Jay McNeely on bari. Wild playing on baritone. He played the bari more like a tenor!

Thomas

 

[griff136]

I use la voz, and fibracells, but alos ricos too but never vandorens especially now you cant see what theyre like before you buy em individually as theyre now in a sealed bag.

 

[AlanB]

Wow, what a wonderful response! That has given a great idea of what people want out of their sound and what they are using to get it. Of course my opriginal question doesn't make a great deal of sense unless one says what Mpc they are using, everyone noticed that and included mpc as well, thanks. I myself am using a Otto Link STM 7 (metal), which i love and is a great allround piece, but maybe lacks the danger and volume, of the music i like to play (really getting into Ska-core at the mo).

But your set-up's have really got me salivating. For sound-type (although of course i haven't heard you) i am probably going for the Jules, Dave, Taz, Thomas type of music. I really like my Javas (2.5) but you guys are right, they don't quite cut-the-mustard on stage with 10 musicians (all primadonnas and amps set to 11). I'd love to try some V16s, La Voz (m) and even plasticovers (though i had never entertained such an idea before). As for mpc and set-up i am really excited by the following. So Here is my wish list -

• Dukoff Metal D? with Rovner Eddie Daniels – Piercing funk horn-section clarity
• Runyon Quantum (+ spoiler) with Rovner Eddie Daniels – Raunchy Rock ‘n’ Roll
• OL STM 7 with Rovner Dark – Expressive Jazz and mellow ballads (present piece)
• PPT with (Rovner dark?) – Should be a great all round piece

Also looking at maybe trying 110 openings (and having a go on a 115 for fun)

Now then, anyone got a tip on a good horse or some lottery numbers?
Keep 'em coming this is great.
Al

P.S. Do you know anyone with a Cannonball Raven and are they any good?;}))

 

[griff136]

Wow, what a wonderful response! .....

P.S. Do you know anyone with a Cannonball Raven and are they any good?;}))

I had a blow on a new raven in one of the shops I work for -
it was a nice blow - the sax was IMHO blingy with its lazer etched angular keyguards, and crooks - yes 2 crooks and lumps of rock on attached to the crook and on l hand palm key's

it was very heavy and I didnt think the price was warranted either especially when you can a decent well blown in secondhand selmer super action 80 series 2 for around the same price.

but hey - whatever floats your boat!

btw re reeds it will be worth the money buying a fibracell reed £12 ish but they last a long time and are consistent in my experience.

 

[AlanB]

P.S. Do you know anyone with a Cannonball Raven and are they any good?;}))

Just poking a little fun at Dooce - but I would love to try one if i get a chance, since he speaks so highly of them.
Al