What Strength Reed Do You Use?

[bluesaxgirl]

Just curious. :)

And also, I want to know if the size reed I use is common.

I am aware of factors that strength varies. (For example: Rico 2 is an equivalent to a Vandoren 3)

[Bill Mecca]

2.5 or 3 fibracell or plasticover or V16. ( I voted 2.5 as that is what I have been using lately)

[altosaxguy1]

Vandoren Traditional 3's

[52Conn10r]

It really depends on whos reed I'm using at the time. Rico Plasticover #3 right now.

[saxmanglen]

Java 3.5

[jmm1713]

I use bari plastic " Mediums " so like 3- 3.5

[brianincairo]

Right now, Rico Royal 2.5

[jmathesonjr]

Rico (Orange Box) 3 or 3.5 (I voted 3 here).

[Grumps]

3's on all horns, whatever the brand.

[wersax]

2.5 Fibracells on an old 130/2 Berg, (on tenor).........where'd you find the sax-playing squirrel, anyway Bluesaxgirl?......;^)

[ianhart]

Mainly I use Vandoren 3's. Any version of them, they are all pretty similar.

[trahansax]

I use a size 5 vandoren, but I work on all of my reeds to get them to the strength I desire, usually right under a 4. A reed must have a good heart to be sweet!

[BobbyC]

Rico Royal 3's on everything including Clarinet.

[SAXISMYAXE]

My reed strength preference depends on what setup I'm using and for which horn. However I rarely ever dip below a Vandoren 3 or comparable for any of them.

Most of my mouthpiece tip openings work out to be around the Link 8* or .115 to .120 range. A bit smaller on some of my Alto and Soprano setups.

[RootyTootoot]

Alto and Tenor. Soft/med soft La Voz or 1.5/2 Vandoren.

[bobsax]

3 1/2 for alto(Runyon 6) and tenor(metal V16 9)
Legere 3 1/4 Clarinet with a 5RV 2 1/2 with a 5JB

[DXCamp]

Currently using plasticover 2 1/2 for Alto Saxophone. :)

[Canadiain]

Horses for courses innit. I'm all over the place....Plasticover #2 or 2.5 on a beechler #7 alto, rico royal 3 for alto S80 c* , and wet lettuce strength Rico royal 1.5s on my .130 tenor link.

[silvin]

See below ...

[BKauth]

Vandoren 4's for soprano, alto, and baritone. Vandoren 5's for tenor.

[stefank]

Vandoren Traditional 3 on the Morgan 3C
Java 2.5 on the Morgan Excalibur

[newjazz]

just switched my tenor setup from vandoren metal v16 t95 to vandoren t10 HR w/ rico select jazz no.4 soft reeds.

[Birdman]

Rico Royal 3's

[bandmommy]

On clarinet: Vandoren V12's 3.5 or 4
Alto & Tenor: Hemke 3 or 3.5

[Cannonball & CmelGuy]

Vandoren JAVA 3 on alto and Rico Royal 3 on tenor & Cmel.

[gearaholic]

No offense, but I think the poll is moot, as grades among brands differ, the proper reed strength for particular mouthpieces vary, player preferences vary, etc. For example, if I were to use Vandoren Traditionals for everything, I would use:
3.5 for classical alto and soprano
3 for classical tenor
2.5 for jazz soprano, alto, and tenor
If I used JAVAs, all those would go up a half step. Also, this is only using my main mouthpieces. Using one of my backup mouthpieces would alter the results. There's no universal best reed strength, although around a 3 is most likely/popular. No one call tell you exactly what reed brand and strength are best for you, though an experienced saxophonist could put you in the ballpark.

[MPL]

Medium (3-ish) Fibracells on baritone...in my experience, most versatile for big band/combo/R & B work. Works OK for concert music on a bigger mouthpiece like a Selmer F.

[Ruediger Kramer]

allways 2,5 (Rico and Vandoren)


:)

[ThunderWhale]

On alto,

-Fibracell 3 on my RPC 90v
-Vandoren Java 3.5 on my Selmer Soloist C**(classical playing)

Tenor:

RJS 3M on my Barone Jazz 7*

Soprano:
Fibracell 3 on Rico Metalite 9

[silversax12]

I like Zonda 3's or Marca 3.5's for my Yamaha 875 alto, for tenor I like rico royal 2.5's and Zonda 3's, soprano vandoren 3.5's, and for bari vandoren 3's. I usually pick a softer strength reed when I play jazz.

[HeavyWeather77]

I'm loving RJS 4M filed on tenor and RJS 3M filed on alto.

(tenor piece is Excalibur 8E or JodyJazz HR 7*, alto piece is vintage Berg HR 100/1M.)

Also, I know people say that Vandorens run harder than Ricos, but I don't find this to be universally true. I find that Vandorens are so inconsistent, for one thing, that it's impossible to predict how hard a reed is going to be out of a given box... I used to use Vandorens all the time until I discovered how much I like the Rico Jazz Selects. Many players I know, admire, and love play Vandorens, and I use them for the (VERY) occasional classical thing, but I can't use them for jazz now that I've beens spoiled by the Ricos.

[JL]

I am aware of factors that strength varies. (For example: Rico 2 is an equivalent to a Vandoren 3)

I think you might have the Rico/Vandoren comparison backwards. In my experience, the Vandorens (or the V16, at least) are harder at a given numbered strength than Ricos. So a Vandoren 3 would be roughly equivalent to a Rico 3.5.

Many factors to consider, which makes the poll rather irrelevant. One huge factor is the tip size on the mpc. I like V16 2.5 on an RPC .120 tenor mpc. I'd probably want a 3 or harder with a smaller tip, depending.......

[Mope]

At this point: 101 poll participants
44 use 2.5 or less 44%
57 use 3 or higher 57%

Yet of 32 total posters: 26 (80%) of all posts told us they use 3 or higher

Is it a macho thing or what?

[Nopunonsax]

I hand-carve my own from the panels of Grimsby kipper boxes. Coupled with an appropriate mouthpiece, I find they impart a uniquely "smokey" timbre to my sound. Their strength is dependent upon the sharpness of my tools, the steadiness of my hand, the amount of seawater and kippers to which the wood has been exposed and the quantity of alcohol which I have imbibed prior to the cutting process. Please do not pester me with requests for these unique objects, which I only produce for my personal use.

[Pete Thomas]

I used to use 4s, then gradually worked towards softer reeds. I now use 2½s (Rico, Vandoren, Lavoz, Alexander, whatever is around in the reed drawer)

[bluesaxgirl]

We people playing even 3.5's are totally outnumbered. I never thought I would be a near outlier.

[saxtek]

I use number 2 reeds most of the time, and I've been playing saxophone since 1961, but I tend to use VERY large mouthpieces.

I play lots of tenor and baritone, and I use #2 reeds on a .120" tip on both horns. If the gig gets extremely loud, I use #2 1/2 reeds.

As I move toward smaller or larger horns (like alto or bass), I use smaller tip openings on my mouthpieces but I still like soft reeds and a very loose embouchre. On alto I usually use a Meyer 7 or 8 with a #2 reed.

My myspace page has mostly bass sax recordings using number 1 1/2 reeds! The exception is the recording of the 1861 Adolphe Sax baritone solo. On that horn I used a 100 year old wooden mouthpiece with a small tip and a number 3 reed.

My MYSPACE page:
http://www.myspace.com/saxpsychosis

Starving bass saxophone player video using an old Conn bass mouthpiece (about a number four) with a very soft reed:
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=24332577

[Dog Pants]

On alto

For practice in the apartment, I use a 1.5

For teaching the kids, a 3

For the big band gigs, where I'll be knackered by the end of the night, (hot stage lights and free beer) 2.5

It all depends upon the situation.

I adjust my reeds, so I usually by them a little harder than the above and fiddle them down.

[Perry]

Nice poll! Even if one can argue that ANOTHER player's setup doesn't say anything about how YOUR setup should be, I think this topic is very interesting.

I also think that the "macho" thing about harder reeds does not apply. A harder reed may require more musle power - a softer reed can make you sound better but is more difficult to master (more flexible).

Anyway - my setup:
Alto: Rosseau JDX 6 or 7 (like a Meyer) - Java 3,5 or Fibracell med./med.hard.
Soprano: Link 8 - Java 3.
Baritone: Link 7 - Any reed from 2 to 4.
Clarinet: B45 - Legere synthetic 3 or Vandoren 3.

[retread]

Numbers? I don't need no stinkin' numbers!
LaVoz medium hard (well broken in) on alto, tenor and bari.

Well, I do use Gonzalez 3 on clarinet.

[Wailin']

Depends on the mpc. The higher the mpc the lesser number reed. I have a Berg Larsen 110/2 which only works with a 2H for me. With my Jody Jazz 7* which is a 105 a 3 or medium soft La Voz works.

[Augman]

I was always told that the reed thickness didnt matter so that if your secure that you should just use whats comfortable. Well after 25 years of rico royal 2.5s I switched to 3s no problem and way better sound . huge difference

[SaxColossusJR]

RJS 3H and Java 3.5 on tenor
RJS 3M and Java 3.5 on alto
2H on sop

[LateNiteSax]

I use a size 5 vandoren, but I work on all of my reeds to get them to the strength I desire, usually right under a 4. A reed must have a good heart to be sweet!


ditto, but I work mine down to just above a #3.

[Colin]

rico royal 2.5 on alto and jazz select 2.5 on bari

Col.

[amoram]

Trad 3 for alto
Trad 3,5/4 for baritone

[Ralfy]

Right now, Rico Royal 2.5

Same here.

[ZenBen]

Marca Jazz 3 1/2 on an hr Link 7.

[Saxplayer67]

2.5 Vandoren Java on alto (Meyer 6M but #2 on Dukoff D7), sop (Berg HR) and tenor (Tone Edge 5*).

[bostonsax93]

Rico 3's for my alto

[BariSaxzinger]

Vandoren 4

[altoplayer]

rico royal 3's

[saxomania]

Lazarro #3 - cheap and great

[playitfunky]

I like a V16 #3 broken in to be like a 2.85.

[jacobeid]

Soprano: RJS 3M
Alto: RJS 2H, Java 2 1/2, V16 2 1/2, Alexander 2 1/2
Tenor: RJS 3S, ZZ 3
Clarinet: Alexander 3

[fluteypiccolosax]

vandoren 3.5's ususally
but sometimes 3's

[bluesaxgirl]

Nice poll! Even if one can argue that ANOTHER player's setup doesn't say anything about how YOUR setup should be, I think this topic is very interesting.

I also think that the "macho" thing about harder reeds does not apply. A harder reed may require more musle power - a softer reed can make you sound better but is more difficult to master (more flexible).

Anyway - my setup:
Alto: Rosseau JDX 6 or 7 (like a Meyer) - Java 3,5 or Fibracell med./med.hard.
Soprano: Link 8 - Java 3.
Baritone: Link 7 - Any reed from 2 to 4.
Clarinet: B45 - Legere synthetic 3 or Vandoren 3.
Thanks! I thought the same way too.

[RegSopAlto]

Rico Royal size 3 on Tenor

Vandoren size 3 on Alto

Soprano size 3 Rico - Orange box ( I think I will go harder 3 1/2 or 4's soon)

[musicteen098]

Well on my Link 7* I use 1.5 Rico and for my Yamaha mouthpiece i use 3 Vandoren.

[oldbluesman]

Vandoren Java 2 on a rico royal graftonite c5 tenor mpc.

[ssleb]

Just WHO uses 6+ size reeds!?!?!?!?!? you might as well get metal reeds!!!

Anyways, I'm using size 3 Fibracells nowadays..

[hakukani]

Just WHO uses 6+ size reeds!?!?!?!?!? you might as well get metal reeds!!!

Anyways, I'm using size 3 Fibracells nowadays..

I've never seen 6 plus reeds. I think somebody confused popsicle sticks and roofing shingles for reeds.;)

[ssleb]

or organ reeds.

[bluesaxgirl]

Hey now...You never know.
If giants played saxophone, they would use shingles.

[bluesaxgirl]

:o someone actually uses a 6 or higher reed.

Whoever you are, you're not a giant.

[WinstonGA]

#2 because that's what was recommended by my tenor's seller when he found out I was a complete beginner.

I figure for the next few months it'll be whatever strength the (not-yet-selected) instructor recommends, until I've got the knowledge and experience to judge for myself.

[jazzbluescat]

#2 because that's what was recommended by my tenor's seller when he found out I was a complete beginner.

I figure for the next few months it'll be whatever strength the (not-yet-selected) instructor recommends, until I've got the knowledge and experience to judge for myself.
Very, very wise, indeed! Lots of luck, practice, study, keep using your noggin. :)

[Berko]

i use on lavoz med - med soft or rico 2.5

[SaxmanTC]

Vandoren 4's for soprano, alto, and baritone. Vandoren 5's for tenor.

Crap! Do you also remove bottle caps with your mouth? What about cracking nuts at Christmas...no need to use a nutcracker at your house I'd think. :D

Hats off to you man...I thought I had a decent set of chops....but a 5 on Tenor...wow :line2: :line3: :line4: :space5:

I use 3 on Soprano and 3.5 on Tenor and Alto...haven't gotten my Bari yet, almost.

[JustMason8]

Screw hard reeds I use a 1.5 Vandoren.

[bluesaxgirl]

Screw hard reeds I use a 1.5 Vandoren.
Exactly...on baritone.

[kingsaxello]

Keep in mind folks that reed strength depends on mouthpiece dimensions. Open tip = softer reed and vise-versa. Personally I have to use size 4.5 and 5 reeds but that is a result of my choice of large chambered mouthpieces.

[wersax]

Keep in mind folks that reed strength depends on mouthpiece dimensions. Open tip = softer reed and vise-versa. Personally I have to use size 4.5 and 5 reeds but that is a result of my choice of large chambered mouthpieces.
Absolutely. And furthermore, it's what you do with your set-up that counts; who cares what reed, (or mouthpiece, or whatever), you use if you suck?
And I think you need to be open to changing your set-up over time, depending upon your playing situation. For example, I just picked the soprano back up after a several years. Back when, I was playing hard reeds with extremely open mouthpieces, trying to hear myself in blues, R&B and rock bands. I don't need that now, (and don't want a coronary!), so *7's with a 2 1/2 reed work just fine. And the tenor seems to be working better with 3's instead of 2 1/2's these days..........

[warp x]

well, on tenor I use legere 3.5, also on bassclarinet. 3's on clarinet.
when I play banat on tarogato, or the G-clarinet I use wooden reeds, 0.5 or 1.

[bluesaxgirl]

well, on tenor I use legere 3.5, also on bassclarinet. 3's on clarinet.
when I play banat on tarogato, or the G-clarinet I use wooden reeds, 0.5 or 1.
They make 0.5 reeds?
:o

[warp x]

nah, I sand them down..

[piwikiwi]

Rico royal number 3

[Roger Aldridge]

one's reed strength is largely relative based on the mouthpiece facing (ie, tip opening and facing curve) and at times the horn's level of resistance.

That said, my reed strengths are given in my signature below.

Roger

[10r Man]

I use whatever reed that I can find in the ashtray left over from the last player's gig.

[SaxerEd829]

I play on Vandoren Blue Box and ZZ 3's for Alto and Tenor. I work on em dependiong on whether I play on my opened up Link, my C* Soloist or S-80. For those that are interested in working on reeds, there are some great resources to be found on how to adjust your reeds. I learned alot from Larry Teal's The Art of Saxophone Playing. Look into it!

[Saxaphonist5]

3, 3.5 or 4 depending on make.. usually a 3.5 rico royal or a 3 vandoren (my oppinion rico is better.. and half the price of vandoren)

[Mal 2]

I couldn't answer this because it isn't the same on every horn! I'm using a 2 on tenor (with Link 8*), a 2.5 on bari (with Link 7*), a 3 on alto (Rousseau JDX8), and a 3.5 on clarinet (Langenus, don't know the model), because they all have very different mouthpiece facings. (And that's blue-box Vandorens all around.)

Also what I play and what I buy are two different things lately. I play 3's on alto, but I buy 3.5's because it's much easier to soften up a reed than it is to clip a mushy one. I'd rather have 3 that play and 7 that I have to work on than have 4 that play, 3 I have to work on, and 3 that are mushy junk. Regardless of what the stamp on the back says, they're 3's by the time they get used on stage.

[clarnibass]

Since I don't play much saxophone I usually use my clarinet reeds on saxophones.

Vandoren V12 3 on soprano clarinet and sax. Vandoren bass clarinet reeds 3 or sometimes 2.5 on bass clarinet and tenor sax. Vandoren alto clarinet or alto sax reeds 3 or 2.5 on alto clarinet and alto sax.

[Mal 2]

Aren't bass clarinet reeds just a shade narrower than tenor sax reeds? I've heard of people using them (with a good fit) on C-melody mouthpieces.

[saintsday]

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i262/saintsday/00001025.jpg

These work great. Just cut 'em in half and you get two for the price of one.

[zxcvbnm]

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i262/saintsday/00001025.jpg

These work great. Just cut 'em in half and you get two for the price of one.

Only on a vintage Buescher mouthpiece.

[steakboy]

rico 3 on both alto and tenor. i'd love to find some new-old-stock r. maier tenor reeds...which probably sounds like an odd wish, coming from an admitted orange-boxer.

[Mal 2]

rico 3 on both alto and tenor. i'd love to find some new-old-stock r. maier tenor reeds...which probably sounds like an odd wish, coming from an admitted orange-boxer.

If your boxers are orange, you might want to consider cutting back on the screwdrivers...:drunken:

[bfahle]

Starving bass saxophone player video using an old Conn bass mouthpiece (about a number four) with a very soft reed:
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=24332577
That bass sax seems to put out almost subsonic sounds. What is the frequency of its lowest note?

Oh, I use Vandoren 2's on my Tenor C*, but I'm thinking of going to 2.5 or 3 or at least adding a new reed to the rotation, because I couldn't hit the low notes today, and I think it was due to a mushy reed.

[Mal 2]

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i262/saintsday/00001025.jpg

These work great. Just cut 'em in half and you get two for the price of one.

I seem to recall a brand of reeds called "KRE", though I can't seem to find them in a web search, which we always joked were made of oak planks slightly thinned at one end.

I never knew anyone who actually used them, but they would turn up in old cases from time to time.

[steakboy]

If your boxers are orange, you might want to consider cutting back on the screwdrivers...:drunken:

boxers?! feh. life is a commando raid.:D

[Jolle]

3 for Rigotti Gold
2.5 or 3 for Vandoren ZZ
3S or 3M for Rico Jazz Select

All on a 115/2/SMS BergLarsen, all on tenor.

On soprano and Bariton : Rico Jazz Select 3M

[Selmer Cindy]

Normally a 3-3.5. But with the Vandoren reeds I'm hovering between 2.5 - 3.

[PhoneSax]

Alto Vandoren ZZ 3
Alto Hemke 3.5 for classical
Tenor ZZ 3
Clarinet V12 4.5 or 4 sometimes

[Axel Kalland]

Alto: Vandoren V16 3
Soprano: Rico Jazz 2

[saxmanjoe]

Alto - Hemke 3 -
Tenor - rico select jazz 3 filed

[Dr_sax]

I voted 2.5 since I use Gonzales 2.25 and they run a bit stiffer than Vandoren. I was coming from V16 2.5 reeds and long ago rico royal 2.5.

[KennyD]

Just WHO uses 6+ size reeds!?!?!?!?!? you might as well get metal reeds!!! Anyways, I'm using size 3 Fibracells nowadays..

Well, this darn new Bari S that I'm whittling the living daylights out of might as well have been marked a 6! I've easily shaped half of it away and it's still sitting at least as a 3.5... Should have just put it in my toolbox to use as a screwdriver! :evil:

My pomarico mouthpiece is pretty open so I'm aiming to get it to a whisker above 2.5 or so...

My Bb clarinet gets Vandoren 3.5s when I'm not using a Bari on it.

[Jagigda]

I use Mostly vandoren fours, but if i feel like getting a rico, i try to get a higher strength, just to even it out.

[Stealth Swimmer]

depends. On alto a 3 is perfect IMO.

On tenor, 4 for the C*, 3 1/2 for the S90, and 3 for the Otto Link STM 6*...unless it's a ZZ reed, then I'll use a 3 1/2. Played bari a few times but can't remember what size the reed was.

oh and these are all Vandoren reeds

[j3rry85]

Vandoren V12's 3 for Bb Clarinet and V16's 2.5 on alto....

[cpete]

3's seem to be most consistent among brands. Royals for now.

[Jazz House]

3 on everything. It's the best compromise.