What reed strength is best? - Switching to Plasticover

[ddeg10]

I have played on Vandoren Java's and Normal Vandoren's for my Tenor in the past year. I have read some good and bad things about the plasticover reeds but want to give them a shot... I just don't know which strength to buy.

With the Vandoren's I usually play on 2.5's. Are the plasticover reeds softer or harder than cane reeds? I was planning on buying the Plasticover 2.5. I don't play a whole lot but when I do play, it's usually for a long period of time and my chops can get tired and unstable.... causing vibrato so I was thinking about trying a softer reed anyhow.

Also, is it true that the lower strength reed I use, the harder it will be to hit the altisimmo notes?

[hamilton]

For me, I use a 2.5 for java,v16,regular blue box and plasticover.on a ZZ I will go up to a 3. As for the altisimo if you go down in reed strength It will just take getting used to staying more relaxed and not blowing as hard as you normally would.Just hear the sound in your head and it will come out.

[super20dan]

i find plasticovers to be 1/2 strength stronger than regular reeds. if you play 2.5 -i would buy plasticovers in 2

[badfella518]

Vandorens are a a half strengh to 3/4 harder than a regular rico. plasticovers are around a 1/4 to half strengh harder than ricos. So i would go with like a 2.5 or 3. All they are is a cane reed dipped in plastic.

[dirty]

My experience with plasticovers has been that they start out a little stiffer than rico royal, then they soften almost immediately to be significantly softer.