v16's

[altosaxguy1]

are vandoren v16's consistant i use vandoren traditionals and they are not

[AbrahamFackle]

They're better then bluebox but still not great. Unfortunately there's nothing else quite like a v16 so if you like them you're stuck with the inconsistancy.

[Scottysax73]

for me, the v16's have been very consistant. at least the last 4 box's have. my only complaint is that i cant file them right, i guess i take off to much and they go buzzy

[SaxJazz12]

V16's are incredibly bright...I've never had much luck with them, but it is up to the player.

Right now I'm using the javas on tenor and have found them to work pretty well.

[hgiles]

They grow out of the ground -- does anyone really think there can be that much difference in the manufacturing that would make one brand more consistent than another.

It's not like they're as complex as a grand piano (action) to manufacture.

Maybe I am being naive, but I cannot justify that one brand might be more consistent than another. You might like a cut better than another...

[altosaxguy1]

i have not bought anything yet i have the blue box and they are very inconsistant i am trying to find the best reed for me ive looked at but never tried alexander supials and the cassiques and the v16's i want a reed that is pretty consistant but maybe that is asking too much i don't know????????????????????

[zorroperro]

Yes they are... but they are hard reeds. Yes. Hard. A 2.5 strength is as ZZ 3.5. You are going to find a reed that feels thick. This allows you to feel it very consistent at the low notes and may require you to be very prepared to blow altissimo with attitude, not just reaching them.

These reeds may take the best of you to blow.

The result? Great sound! Though you may find that it is not as flexible as Javas or as fast to respond as Traditionals they are a Big Difference because you will sound as the best you can blow because they are very demanding.

Kindest Regards,

JI

[MM]

As stated they are quite hard for a "jazz" reed and one of the brighter reeds, but in a good way. They are very responsive not squeaky. The last few boxes I've gotten for tenor seem to be very good reeds.

[JL]

Maybe they're not for everyone, but the V16s are my first choice reed on the tenor. I use a size 2.5 on a .115 RPC mouthpiece and also on a .110 Ponzol. I've experimented with many other reeds, most recently Rico Jazz Select unfiled, but I keep coming back to the V16s. They seem to have a bit extra punch that I don't find in other reeds. The Rico JS comes very close and gives a bit warmer tone, but I still went back to V16. I play a lot of blues and funk, and for that kind of sound, the V16s work very well.

They are just as consistent as other reeds, meaning every reed in the box is different, but most of them work out after a break-in period.

[TJS]

JL. Do you have a high baffle .115 RPC? What ligature are you using with it and the V16's. Thanks.

[JL]

JL. Do you have a high baffle .115 RPC? What ligature are you using with it and the V16's. Thanks.

Yes, it's the high baffle mpc, although the baffle really isn't all that high. It's higher than the rollover version, of course, but not as high as some of the step baffles I've seen on metal mpcs. I use a Francois Louis lig and it works great. But the standard 2-screw lig that came with the mpc also works very well. It think the FL lig is a slight improvement in response, but the difference is subtle.

[TJS]

Thanks.