filled and unfilled

[yellow]

Can somebody tell me the difference between unfilled and filled reeds
please :?:

[Chris S]

Well, if you're talking about Rice Jazz Select (which I assume you are since those are the only reeds that I know of that come in both filed and unfiled), the unfiled are a bit darker (meaning they produce more of the lower sounding overtones than the high ones) and the filed are a bit brighter (meaning the opposite of what I just said). If you're asking which works better, buy a box or two of each and play them and find out what you like and what you don't.

Chris S

[Razzy]

I believe the filed are french cut, and the unfiled are american cut.

[Vortex]

Do a search please.

[Adam]

I think the real question here is what exactly are these reeds filled with!?!?!

[kcp]

I believe the filed are french cut, and the unfiled are american cut.

I'm not so sure about that. For sure though, those Rico Jazz reeds are the most confusing ever (my bf plays them and I'm always the one who wind-up having to go buy some reeds) - Everytime I go to the store to buy reeds, everyone has this look on their face that says: "God help us!!!" because they know that I'm comming to buy those reeds

First, it takes an eternity to say what you want e.g. Rico Jazz Select filled (or unfilled) # 3 hard for tenor saxophone... now imagine saying that in French! :shock:

I never got out of there with the same thing twice but the good thing is that each time I'm able to fool my bf and persuade him that those are the exact same reeds he had the previous time :lol: But lately he's been starting to notice a difference... Some are smooth to the toungue he says and other are rough. Now, wich is wich?? I have no idea cause he scatters and mixes his reeds with others pretty quickly :oops:

From what I been able to understand so far, the unfilled reeds have blue sticker on the box and the filled ones have a pink sticker. None of these boxes say "French cut" on them though I remember seeing one of these boxes that said "French cut" :dazed:

So if someone can explain this to me (and all of us) that would greatly be appreciated

[Vortex]

Go to www.superial.com. The Superial is an unfiled reed, while the DC and Classique are filed.

[TJS]

Kim,

I just got a new box of Rico Jazz Select filed reeds and it says "5 filed reeds" on the bottom of the box. Hope that helps.

[Scottysax73]

Not Filled or Unfilled....FILED. They are filed down not filled with something.lol.
When you file a reed, you take wood of, therefore making it thinner and easier to blow on.
Filed is softer and unfiled is harder. Sheesh, like talkin bout porn.lol

[Vortex]

On an unfiled reed, the vamp of the reed meets the bark directly. Examples of these reeds are Javas, Rico orange box, V16, ZZ, LaVoz, Superial, etc.

Filed reeds (also called French file) don't hit the bark straight on - instead, there is a section past the vamp that is filed down partway (this is difficult to describe). Examples of these reeds would be Vandoren Traditionals, Classiques, DC's, Hemke's, and Rico Royals.

No, reeds aren't 'filled' with anything.

[JJ]

I hear you.
But when you want a dark sound you are adviced to use reeds like Vandoren traditional and Superial DC. And they are filed. But dark and full imho, and not thin sounding like Scotty says a filed reed is. Is it because the heart of the reed is so thick, that they file them? Maybe they would be to dark and hard to play if they didn't file them?

[kcp]

Tanks for the clarification TJS, Vortex and all

[Vortex]

I wouldn't classify a filed RJS or Alexander DC as 'dark' at all. The difference is in the response - classical players tend to like filed reeds because they have a different (for them, better) response than unfiled reeds. Rock/jazz players generally go for unfiled reeds b/c they have more power. These are GENERALITIES, not all inclusive at all.

[Spaz Johnson]

Filed reeds can be found under "R". Theres no telling where you'll find the un-filed ones!

[Vortex]

Filed reed can be found under "R". Theres no telling where you'll find the un-filed ones!

Huh? :?

[gary]

This is almost like a laquered vs unlaquered instrument conversation :?
When I play, the filed reeds sound darker to me. Whew. Now I feel soo much better.

Reed manufacturers do not make their reeds exactly the same as reeds of another manufacture. Therefore, is it possible that one unfiled reed by one manufacturer might sound darker than a filed reed by another; or vice versa?

Seems to me one of the only true tests available to we unwashed masses is to take a box of Rico Select Jazz filed and another of unfiled, play all reeds in both boxes and then come to some conclusion about which sounds darker, has more body, more response, etc. Then, since they're from the same maker, use the results as a generalization when selecting reeds.

My Rico JS filed and Hemkes (filed) sound to me darker than my Vandoren ZZ's and V16s.
And I'll stand by that until you pry them from my cold, dead hands! :twisted:

Whew! Now I reeeeeeaally feel better.

[Bill Mecca]

Therefore, is it possible that one unfiled reed by one manufacturer might sound darker than a filed reed by another; or vice versa?


Yes. :wink:

Filed or unfiled is only one part of the equation, just like the tip opening is only one part of the equation when we talk mpcs. The rest of the cut of the reed is more important (IMO) than whether it is filed or unfiled.

You can easily make a filed reed from an unfiled by removing some of the bark. It tends to free up the reed a bit, much like drilling etc.