Rico Jazz Filed or unfiled?????

[tenormelodies]

Hello everyone,
I'm looking at ordering some Rico Jazz 2.5's for a tenor. I play on a meyer 7. I've tried the Lavoz med soft and the thickness gives me a nice tone but those are a bit too thick and it makes me have to work too hard. A step down in size wont help either. I like Java's (2.5) because they give me a clear sound and quick response (and they're easy to play) though they're not as dark as Lavoz. I think that I like the Java's a bit better but I don't like the price.
That's why I've been interested in the rico Jazz. I just don't know what the filed or the unfiled 2.5's are comparable to. Any feedback would be appreciated.
Thanks

[Michael Ward]

The unfiled are going to be closer to the Javas and Lavoz as they too are unfiled or American cut. 2M's are about 2 1/2 equivalent.

[Sasquatch]

I was using filed 3's untill they became unavailable in the shops locally (I guess when I want a box of reeds, I want it right now. So, I haven't gotten the habit of buying reeds online .............. yet.)

When AB-ing filed vs. unfiled, I found the filed to be more free blowing, a bit brighter, and easier on the altissisqueaks. However, I think the prudent advice here would be to buy a box of each and try them out yourself. We all seem to have a sound unique as our preferences. I fully expect your results would vary from mine.

I am currently using #3 Vandoren ZZ reeds (readily available locally) which is close to what I was getting with the filed Rico Jazz Selects.

Good Luck!