Alexander Reed Life

[Sigmund451]

I continue to retun to these reeds as I feel the performance and sound they help to produce is worth the extra expense. However, being economically mindful (ok, cheap may be the right word), I wonder if the price is also offset by extended reed life. Here and there people have suggested longer reed life, especially when the breakin method is employed. I thought a poll might be nice to assemble the views but I cant seem to make poll work. Opinions would be nice.

If someone who knows how to make a poll wants to, go for it.

[Hurling Frootmig]

They seem to last longer than Hemke's.

[Toni Linder]

The first packages of Superial didn't last very long, probably because I let them soak too long (10 to 15 minutes).

After that, I started to soak them for no longer than 1 to 3 minutes and they seem to last longer than Hemke, La Voz or Rico Jazz Select.

[Randall]

I know this is going to make some of you doubt me, but I used a 2 1/2 tenor Alexander reed for almost 8 months.
That was playing the horn twice a week for a total of about 6 hours a week (in a practice setting).
The reed peformed superbly (within the nrmal range of playing), even at the time I retired it.
I retired it only when I started having trouble with altissimo.
The reed I am now using has been on my tenor for 3 months.

[Dweekie]

I know this is going to make some of you doubt me, but I used a 2 1/2 tenor Alexander reed for almost 8 months.
That was playing the horn twice a week for a total of about 6 hours a week (in a practice setting).
The reed peformed superbly (within the nrmal range of playing), even at the time I retired it.
I retired it only when I started having trouble with altissimo.
The reed I am now using has been on my tenor for 3 months.

When I first started alto, I got a set of 4 classique reeds, 2.5 strength. I used the set for a year on a selmer s80 c*. Then I thought I would move up to 3's. When I got a box of 3's, they were all softer out of the box than the 2.5's I was using. It's amazing how much harder these alexander reeds get over time with proper care. I stored them in the vandoren case with dessicant, and rotated reeds every time I played. I guess with 4 reeds over a course of 12 months, that would be 3 months per reed. That's atleast 3 times as long as any other reed (vandoren, rico, australia) under the same care and usage. I've heard good things about the gonzalez and zonda but haven't tried them yet. I don't think I can touch Randall with his 8 months though. How does the reed look now? :roll:

[Vortex]

They seem to last longer than Hemke's.

True, but what doesn't last longer than a Hemke?

Randall, I've had a Classique 2 (!!) on alto last for about 3 months without any rotation (i.e. it was my main reed, the only one). I've got it sitting up with a bunch of my Taekwondo trophies, I think I've done enough to it and it's earned its rightful place in reed heaven. Last time I played it, it still played perfectly with no signs of weardown. I'll leave it in that state.

[Sigmund451]

Vortex, have it bronzed so it matches your collection.

[Vortex]

That actually isn't a bad idea. I bet it would have a killer bright sound :D

Of course I could always soak it in vodka and give it the treat(ment) of its life (but I might accidentally get it dead drunk)

[Randall]

Dweek,
The reed still looks great...I have it in my tin marked "oldies but goodies"...it will play again!
Vortex, if you bronze your reed, be sure to get Jason Dumars to engrave it too! :lol:

New Frico Bronze Cover reeds! The last reed you will ever need! (**Frico assumes no responsibility for any lacerations to the tongue or lips that you may receive from this product**)

[Mike Cesati]

I'm using both DC Superial and Rico orange reeds. Depends on the mood and whichever I got on the mpc. A good reed stays on till its dead. Thats my method (I know you cats rotate/store/rate/number/stroke/ etc etc.) I play the reeds, a good reed of either seems to go about 25 hours tops. A couple of 4 hr gigs plus practicing 2 hrs a day for 7 days or so and I'm jonesing for a fresh reed. The new reed is usually bigger and more resonant so I retire the used one. Seems to be the same no matter which brand to me.

[Rev. D]

Yeah, I'm into month 9 on a 4 reed rotation of Superial 2.5s. They have lost little bits at the tip, which is now serrated, and have this sick waterlogged gray look to them. Definitely not as lively as they were a few months ago, but still way better than the 5 tins of stuffy new ones I bought in the new year. I've done the Bootman drill procedure on them, patiently sanded the rails a few strokes at a time: duds every one. I've used nothing but Superials for the last 3 years and my first dozen tins were spot on, but this batch flat out sucks.