Lenny Pickett and Bass Clarinet reed...why?

[GeneraloftheSaxArmy]

So I've heard Lenny Pickett has or does still use bass clarinet reeds on tenor.

Why? What are the differences in cut and shape of the reed? The advantages?

I'm just curious.

[Swampcabbage]

So I've heard Lenny Pickett has or does still use bass clarinet reeds on tenor.

Why? What are the differences in cut and shape of the reed? The advantages?

I'm just curious.

The bass clarinet reed is slightly shorter and slighty thinner in width. Some people feel they can be more focused. However, I think it just comes down to the quality of cane. He doubles a lot so he may have come across a good stock of quality cane and cuts.

[bobsax]

I've seen some that are identical. I always use tenor reeds on bass clarinet because they are usually cheaper.
I am pretty sure Legere are identical.

[J.Max]

I think it has a slightly different profile which supposedly helps with altissimo.

[StittsIt]

I have a big Berg SMS and it absolutely does NOT play well at all with bass clarinet reeds. But I have always heard he uses those blue box 3s.

[SaxColossusJR]

I sometimes use bass clarinet reeds on my Link 4****. The advantage, with these specific reeds, is that they are thinner on the outside and fatter in the middle. It might just be that the reeds are aged nicely though

[bobsax]

In "Sax Lessons with the Greats" by Bruce Mishkit, There is a great interview with Lenny. One of the interesting things he says about reeds is he leaves them on his mouthpiece after playing, something about being like a double reed. The reed conforms to the mouthpiece and should be left on until it's to soft to play.
something like that?
:tweety:

[SuperAction80]

But I have always heard he uses those blue box 3s.

I heard the same thing so I figured that I'd give them a try. They worked great with my Link. The altissimo popped out just a little easier than the tenor reeds, but the low end looses a little "omph". If you're playing in a rock setting, the Bass Clarinet reeds are beneficial. Using them is just a little trick to give you an extra edge. I'm sure that Lenny could use tenor reeds and still do what he does.

[MojoBari]

I have a client who claimed: "Lenny uses 3.57 (three point five,seven strength)
bass clarinet (vandoren blue box) reeds to do his thing. They're hand-
picked and measured by someone at the factory."

[more useless trivia]

[SuperAction80]

[more useless trivia]

Lenny makes more money than I do.:D

[heath]

What about the window/rails being narrower on the metal berg then on most other mouthpieces.

I'm not sure if LP plays a fatboy/large body berg or not.

[sinkdraiN]

Ralph Morgan always maintained that the tenor V16s are basically a bass clarinet reed. In fact all the V16 reeds had a clarinet reed design to bring out some edge. I remember he disliked them and would always ask with sarcasm why I play a clarinet reed on my excalibur back when I was using the V16s.