Gonzalez Reed Strength

[3 Olives]

I've read several posts concerning Gonzales reeds with different comparisons to reed strength of other reeds. I ask Gonzalez Customer Service how they compare to Vandoren Traditional 2.5's. I received the following QUICK reply:


-----Original Message-----
From: info@gonzalezreeds.com
To: catsmaul@aol.com
Sent: Tue, 15 May 2007 5:48 PM
Subject: Re: (www.gonzalezreeds.com) - English


Dear Jeff,

Our alto sax 2 1/2 is like Vandoren´s 2.5. What you should take in account is that our strengths are divided by quarters, so each box contains a smaller range of strength variation.
What I mean is that if you are used to vandoren 2 1/2 those reeds range from 2 1/4 to 2 3/4 , so you should try Gonzalez 2 1/2 and if it seems too hard you should also try 2 1/4 or 2 3/4 if they are too soft. What we do by dividing the strengths in quarters is make sure that at least 80% of the reeds in each box are playable, they are all the same.

I hope I´m clear.

Thanks for contacting us.

Have a nice day!

Gabriela Barón
gabriela@gonzalezreeds.com.ar
www.gonzalezreeds.com
Argendonax S.A.
Tel: 54 261 4454864
Fax: 54 261 4458283

http://www.gonzalezreeds.com
Fecha de la consulta: 11/05/07

[Saxland]

It sounds like a roundabout answer but it is accurate. I play Zonda 3.k substrength K on tenor and used to play that strength on a Mark VI alto as well. Thats about a 3.75 strenth with other brands. Once you find the right substrength they are consistant and worth the extra money on trial reeds. Let them sit in a drawer for a year to 18 months and then play them. They come aged but extra aged is a really fine sound.

[Markus]

On tenor my feeling is that Gonzales 2 is like Vandoren V16 2.5

Markus

[awholley]

I'd agree with that reply, based on going back and forth between Vandoren and Gonzalez several times.

Furthermore, you can use it to extrapolate whether you want to try 1/4 stronger or weaker:

Most reeds in the Vandoren box die after a week = try 1/4 stronger Gonzalez
Most reeds in the Vandoren box are too stuffy = try 1/4 weaker Gonzalez

[albop]

Gonzalez 2,5 are like la voz Medium or Rico jazz select 3M for tenor sax.

[MM]

Just curious whether anyone has gone to Gonzales on alto and if so, what strength compared to other brand/type. Ditto with soprano.

Thanks.

[3 Olives]

Just curious whether anyone has gone to Gonzales on alto and if so, what strength compared to other brand/type. Ditto with soprano.

Thanks.

According to the Gonzalez Customer Service Rep - Gonzalez 2.5 = Vandoren Traditional 2.5 for Alto.

[ZenBen]

I usually play a V16 3 or Superial DC 3.5 on tenor. I just bought a box of gonzalez 2.75 and after briefly try 2 reeds I found that one was maybe a bit too stuffy and the other felt like it would break in nicely. I'll report more as I play them more.

[Dr_sax]

I usually play vandoren v16 #2.5 on tenor and just switched to gonzales 2 1/4 and just love then. I now rotating between 2 reeds and they play alike.

[retread]

Just curious whether anyone has gone to Gonzales on alto and if so, what strength compared to other brand/type. Ditto with soprano.

Thanks.
I use both Gonzalez 2.5 and LaVoz MH on alto and tenor. They are similar in strength.

[ZenBen]

I ordered a box of 2.5 to go with my 2.75s. I think I'll go with the 2.5s for a bit. They do take a couple of days to break in, but once they do, wow, they've got a great sound. And I really like the look of the packaging too.

[hulszsax]

What would be the Gonzalez equivalent to a tenor Rico Select Jazz 4S ??

Also could someone comment on the differences between Select Jazz and Gonzalez.

Thanks

[Henshaw]

Thought this might be of some help. It's a new comparison chart that includes Gonzalez sizes. Can't say how accurate it is but hopefully it will be useful.

http://www.reedsandmore.com.au/comparison_chart.pdf