Best brand of reeds?

[fusionjazzmadman]

What do you guys use? I've been trying around lately but haven't really found what I'm looking for so please tell us all what kind of reeds you use!

[Hurling Frootmig]

Alexander's are very nice, Hemke, Rico Royal, Rico Jazz Select.

[Funky Chicken]

I started Playing(tenor) Lavoz Medium after i played for a long time on rico royals.. It's great and currently the best brand for me..

[T-MAN]

LaVoz and Vandoren V-16

[Gaijin-san]

How do LaVoz run comparatively in hardness to Rico, Hemke, Vandoren Javas?

[T-MAN]

I'm not sure about Hemke's, but I find LaVoz Mediums to be equivalent to a Rico 3 or slightly stronger. LaVoz Medium Softs are btw a Rico 2 or 2.5.

I find Java reeds are a little stronger than their Rico numerical equivalents. In other words, a Java 2.5 is stronger than Rico 2.5.

[Lowell]

If there are 200 brands of reeds, you will find 200 people who like them and 200 others who hate them. VanDOren V16 in 2.5 strength works for me.

[Funky Chicken]

I always thought that LaVoz MED are similar to Rico's 2.5..

[gary]

If there are 200 brands of reeds, you will find 200 people who like them and 200 others who hate them

LOL!!

Regarding LaVoz' , it's my understanding that the mediums are a bit between a 2 1/2 and a 3.

I've had the most consistency with LaVoz's. I have had an excellent (darker) sound with Hemkes but not the consistency. I've had excellent (dark) sound and control with Alexander D.C.'s and some of the worst problems with them, as well. I just got a box of Vandoren ZZ's and the first three out of the box were all winners, both in control and in sound. Absolutely no problems. The sound, however, is different than the above-mentioned reeds, but I'm gravitating towards this sound, anyway. I would say give the ZZ's a try.

I've just got to laugh at Lowell's quote, though. I've seen, just as an example, folks extol the qualities of upper-end reeds like the Alexanders and then watched Dino Govoni slap an el-cheapo Rico orange on his sax and make your eyes water. Go figure!

[woodwindmaster06]

I use Vandoren 3 Bluebox and ZZ #3

[Saxaholic]

Never liked the Vandourens......well, for classical they are nice. For jazz I can't stand them. Never know why though.

Rico Jazz Select, Rico Plasticovers, and good ol' orange box Rico's are my choice. Rico Plasticovers have good projection, alot of flexibility in tone, and they last a long time....I find the RJS to be the best (when you find a good one), and they can really sing. A brighter sound....good for lead alto. If you're doing some solo work, the orange box rico's give a nice dark tone, which I prefer.

Saxaholic

[ZenBen]

I'm currently using LaVoz MH on tenor. I find that they are just a bit harder than Rico 3's. (just like rico's strength chart says). And they are a bit softer than Superial 3 1/2.

[popsax]

Vandoren #3 Java with a Vandoren A35 Java mpc on alto.

[Giganova]

I think the Zonda reeds are the best ever made.

[Karl Dunkel]

Even though I've been out of the game for a while, I just couldn't resist jumping in.

I belong to a few motorcycle discussion groups on the Net, and there is one question that always manages to spark a heated debate:

"What is the best brand of oil to use for my bike?"

900 members, and 900 different opinions about oil.

It seems to me that the reed topic is very similar. Granted, I imagine that there are "bad" reeds out there, and every box probably has a few candidates for the landfill. When I played regularly years ago, all I could get my hands on were Rico, LaVoz, and occasionally Rico Royal. Now, I feel like a kid in a candy store, going to the music store and just gazing in wonder at all the brands of reeds. I went a little crazy and bought pretty much every brand and type I could get my hands on, a few of varying stregths (And of course, a box of the ol' Ricos...) and now I'm playing (well, can't really call it playing at this point :? ) trying out the different reeds on two different mpc's.

Eventually I'm sure that the novelty will wear off, and I'll get tired of switching different combinations every 20 minutes. Then I'll settle on a reed. I'd love to do the same for mpc's, but due to the expense, I think my dear wife would beat me senseless if she happened upon a box full of them, since I already told her what they generally cost...

That reed, whatever brand or strength, will be the "best" for me. I figure it's the same for everyone here, and I'd like to think that many of you went through much the same process.

So, the moral of this rambling essay? Try different reeds. Maybe one or two every month. Experiment with different strengths. Play around with reed modification, if you feel brave. When you find something you like, I mean REALLY like, stick with it.

Until you find something better.

Take care,

Karl

[saxy_rich]

Alexander's... absolutely nothing like them. I use the DC 3.5s, but all the reeds are very high quality and which ones you use just depend upon what sound youre going for.

Vandorens are always a safe bet, and i was very surprised by the ZZ's. They play decently compareable to the DC's. Both of those companies make just outstanding reeds in terms of quality, and how many good ones come per box;)

[Vortex]

Alexanders are really nice, a bit pricey, but definately worth it. Javas are decent, and regular Vandorens are good for classical. Sometimes Ricos can be pretty fine. I'm really not a fan of the V16 reeds except for very loud playing. Chances are if you really dislike V16, LaVoz, Zonda's, or ZZ's, you'll hate all those i just listed as well.

I'm waiting for some Hemke's and Rigotti's to get here, ill tell what they're like once i get 'em.[/list]

[Minatar12]

I like Rico Jazz Select. I won't touch any other kind of rico reeds though. La Voz is good as well. Vandoren I find good for classical, but not really for jazz. I'd really like to try an Alexander reed, I've heard great things about them, but I'd have to order it from WWBW or something, as no music stores here sell them.

[SopranoSue]

Everyone is different. For me, Hemke 2.5 is THE REED to have, when you can get a good one. Consistency is a problem, but when I find the good ones, I can't beat the sound I get with any other reed.

Your mileage may vary...

[JfW]

Since switching from LaVos and Rico orange box a few years ago, I've been pretty much a Vandoren bluebox guy.

I've recently tried some rico orange on my recently aquired tenor, and I am not pleased with their lack of resonance and feel to my tongue, same on my alto.

I've recently tried other Vandoren reeds:

Java: More vibrant tip, bright sound, but perhaps a little to bright and 'reedy'. rather free blowing compared to regular vandoren. A box produces a nice yield of usable reeds

V16: Good dark sound and about .25 - .5 harder than their rating would indicate when compared to other Vandorens of same hardness. Stiff with poorer response than other types. This may be tied to consistency issues. Speaking of which, these reeds are the most consistent reeds I've ever seen. Unfortunately, they are consistently bad. They look like they use second rate cane reed stock and have it hewn by a brute of a drunk lumberjack. Just look at a box and you'll see what I mean.

ZZ: They have more meat on them than the Java's but are just as free blowing. I really like the core and non-reedy sound they produce. They're presently the only reed that works well with my new Berg (which sounds squirrley on practically everything else). Presently they are my choice of reed at 2.5.

[clem]

Thanks for your comments JfW. I am currently looking for something to use instead of the Plasticovers I've used for years and am now getting frustrated with. I tried Javas and bluebox Vandorens in the past but didn't get the edge I wanted. I'm now trying V16s and will certainly try ZZs.

My problem in getting some kind of consistancy in my sound up and down the scale. Generally the Plasticovers give me what I want in the low and middle registers, but poop out on the high notes. I can use a loose embouchure on the high notes and they will play easy enough, but they sound thin and weak. If I go up a strength the high notes are better, but I lose the big Plas-like tone on the low notes. I use a big chambered Dukoff on a 62 Yamaha for R&R and R&B stuff.

[pinoysax]

I used vandoren V16 for a long time but now switch to Fibracel (synthetic) - both for soprano and alto.....

[AltoRedux]

I went in for some mouthpiece patches the other day, and decided to try some Rico Jazz Selects ( I usually play Rico Royals). Only played one, just doing exercises, and playing some jazz, but I kind of like them. Seem to be a little softer, helps the subtone, helps the altissimo. Going to play some R&R and some pop tonite, so I'll see how they do.

cheers,

John.

[TenorTrane]

I use...
Vandoren ZZ's 3 strength
Vandoren V-16 3.5 strength
Vandoren aged Blue box traditionals 3

And, I'm gonna get me some Alexander DC's pretty soon..

[BrandyLee]

I use Vandoren bluebox 2.5 for alto (I used to use 3 until I realize I was just sanding them off to 2.5 strength anyway. Save the hassle.)

And Rico Royal 3 for tenor