Vandoren Jazz too hard, How to make them playable?

[Durand]

I have bought a box of Vandoren Jazz #3 reeds for alto. After 4 days preparing two of them I have found that they play well (a little muffled) but they are extremely hard to play. They respond well on all registers but with too much resistance. I normally play Superial 2.5 or Plasticover #3, or plain Ricos #3 without problems. It is any form to make them softer?

Thanks

[ShedShark]

I scrape a little bit of the cane away from just below the shoulder, kind of between the lower blade and should. Just a little bit at a time, though. If that doesn't do it or it feels unbalanced I do one lite scrap down the reed on both sides. I'll attach a pic to show what I'm talking about. "1" is the first scrape I'm talking about, "2" is the second.. "down the sides" scrape. Please excuse my lack of skill with a pen, my ability with a reed knife is better.


Edit: actually, I drew the first box a bit high, you might want to scrape a little bit lower than that.

[tanbark813]

Buy 2.5's. ;)

[Durand]

I scrape a little bit of the cane away from just below the shoulder, kind of between the lower blade and should. Just a little bit at a time, though. If that doesn't do it or it feels unbalanced I do one lite scrap down the reed on both sides. I'll attach a pic to show what I'm talking about. "1" is the first scrape I'm talking about, "2" is the second.. "down the sides" scrape. Please excuse my lack of skill with a pen, my ability with a reed knife is better.


Edit: actually, I drew the first box a bit high, you might want to scrape a little bit lower than that.

Thanks for your input, I am going to follow your advice. I know that maybe low to 2.5 may resolve but I don't want to waste these #3's.
Thanks for the pic
;)

[saxmanglen]

I just bought a box of 3.5 tenor ZZ's. I, too, have found them a bit stiffer than Java's of the same strength. I'll have to work mine down also.

[Canadiain]

Thanks for your input, I am going to follow your advice. I know that maybe low to 2.5 may resolve but I don't want to waste these #3's.
Thanks for the pic
;)

If that doesnt work for you, you could send them to Kush in India (care of Cymru97) and they wouldnt be wasted....

http://forum.saxontheweb.net/showthread.php?t=88063

[Durand]

I have made some adjustments and ...what a diffrence!
I am just "practicing" because I don't have skill.

[ShedShark]

I'm glad that helped...

:)