Your favorite reeds and why

[dave2sax]

Thought it might be helpful if there was one thread containing a brief synopsis of your positive experiences with different reed brands and types. We'll assume the ones you don't list are the ones you don't like.

Please just post the reeds you've played enough to evaluate fairly, and briefly what you like about them. I've played lots more than just the ones listed, but they're not listed because either I hated them, or haven't played them enough to judge them fairly.

Since I started playing alto in chronological order, oldest to newest:

LaVoz
Pretty good consistency, natural sound with a hint of brightness, matched nicely with Meyer HR pieces. Just a great all-around reed that I stuck with for over 10 years - this was my comfort reed from the beginning. What I would call a neutral sound, which has always been my goal.

Hemke
Experimented with these off and on for a few years. Definitely a darker sound. I liked them well enough quality-wise, but in the end the darker tone was just not me. However, if I want to go a lot darker I could play these easily. I may experiment with them yet again. I guess I liked them sometimes just to change things up, but always went back to the LaVoz.

Vandoren Java
A similar sound but more consistent quality than the LaVoz. I switched to these mainly because the 2-1/2's seemed to be slightly softer and I found more playable reeds per box, and the LaVoz medium softs were too soft. I still think I prefer a good LaVoz over the Java though. Played these ever since leaving LaVoz, but still never liked them quite as much. Java's have a pretty nice neutral/natural sound that let my voice speak instead of the reed.

Alexander Superial & DC
Discovered these not that long ago but have been playing on them ever since. I like them both better than the Javas and the LaVoz. They have a pure sounding tone and a powerful feel, especially a good DC. The regular Superial makes my Lamberson 6m sound much better than any other reed. I don't know why but it's just got more character and grit with this reed - it makes it a different mpc, in a good way. With a Java on there, it's just another HR piece - the Superial makes it something special. A great Superial or DC is better than the best of any of the others. But cost and availability are negatives, and I really can't judge consistency that well yet, but I know I love the sound.

Vandoren V16
I've tried these off and on for a while and they have been really growing on me lately, although I didn't care for them at first. What I like most about these is the longevity - they don't get mushy after playing for more than an hour. The sound is a tad darker, but on a metal alto piece this is a good thing for me, the jury is still out using this on HR - not as neutral sounding as I like, it's going more towards the dark side. They say these have a stronger tip, and I think it really makes a difference. You can play a softer strength, but yet still blow quite hard - this is what I like about these the most. If I ever find a metal piece and stick with it on alto, these would probably be the proper fit and sound for me.

...and that's about it for me in 18 years of playing. The LaVoz and Java's have been played far more than any of the others, but within the past year I've been shifting towards the Alexanders and the V16's.

[Jeff C]

I agree with you on all counts, especially the DC's. Definatly my #1 go to reed.

[JoAnnPeeler]

In the past I've always preferred Zonda or regular Vandorens. I generally preferred these reeds because they help me produce the darkish tone that I shoot for without too much buzz. I've recently tried Branchers and Rico Jazz Select based on recommendations from this forum and they were pretty good -- especially the Branchers. The RSJ, while they played okay, they were generally a step away from the types of reeds I normally play. Plus, for whatever reason, the RSJ tended to mold faster than the other reeds I've tried in the Florida heat and humidity. I need to find a system that will prevent that blackish mold from growing and any reed. Regardless, I think I'm going to play Legere synthetics for a while. They are starting to grow on me.

[SaxyJ]

When I was using cane reeds, the best results I had were with the Rico Reserves. In short, they played better than any cane reed I have tried. In every box, all the reeds were guaranteed to play and to also all play superbly.

Of course, when I switched to synthetic reeds, there was no turning back. I have been using Legere reeds for several months and have been highly impressed. They seem slightly brighter than the Vandoren Classical and Rico Reserves and even have a higher up-front cost, but the numerous long-term benefits heavily outweigh them.

In a list, here are some benefits from synthetic reeds:

-"Breaking-in"- Just play! Unlike cane reeds, all you need to do is play them for some hours to have them go to their designated strength.

-Temperature & Humidity - No matter what condition, these reeds will play! Hot, cold, misty or whatever, they will play in conditions that cane cannot.

-Longevity - I was talking to some owners and a number of them have noted long life from the Legere reeds. One owner even had confessed that (2) two Legere reeds he alternates has lasted for 2 years! (7-10 hours of use a week)

-Sterilization - Unlike cane reeds, synthetics can be washed and sterilized repeatedly. Promotes excellent hygiene and health!

I know I am forgetting some other benefits, but this short list shows how crucially valuable synthetic reeds are, especially when compared to cane reeds.

[sax-ony]

Thought it might be helpful if there was one thread containing a brief synopsis of your positive experiences with different reed brands and types.

Excellent idea.


Alexander Superial & DC
Discovered these not that long ago but have been playing on them ever since. I like them both better than the Javas and the LaVoz. They have a pure sounding tone and a powerful feel, especially a good DC. ...A great Superial or DC is better than the best of any of the others. But cost and availability are negatives, and I really can't judge consistency that well yet, but I know I love the sound.

I used to like Alexander Superial DCs a lot, but found they were too expensive, especially given the relatively low proportion of really good ones in a box. This was about the time of Grumps' "Done with Alexander Superials" thread: http://www.saxontheweb.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=76574.
I was also a bit disappointed with how long they lasted, but I agree that it's hard to beat a good DC.

Looking for something fairly similar but more cost-effective and consistent, I switched to Gonzalez - on the basis of comments at SOTW. I have been very pleased with them so far. I've had two boxes of tenor reeds from the 2002 harvest, and two from the 2004 harvest and haven't found a dud yet! The experience has been similarly positive with alto and soprano, though I haven't used as many reeds. They certainly last longer than Alexanders, in my experience.

I look for a solid, "singing" core tone in a straight-ahead style, and I feel that Gonzalez give that consistently for a fair price.

[Twombles62]

I use Hemke's at the moment. They are nice and dark with a full tone, but are not stuffy like Vandoren traditional. They're also a more jazzy tone than classical, and when I found out why my idol Kenny Garrett uses them to get his tone, I realised why.

[Roger Aldridge]

My preference in reeds is for a thick cut -- with more "wood" in the heart. For a long time I used Vandoren Traditional and for around 4 years used Alexander Classique. At the time, I tried other classical style reeds (such as Hemke) but they didn't do it for me like Alexander Classique did. Classique gave me superb tonal qualities, response, and projection. It was everything that I wanted in a reed.

However, around 3 years ago I encountered a kind of perfect storm with having problems with the Classique reeds I was getting and becoming frustrated with them, playing a series of summer outdoor gigs in Maryland heat & humidity, and having a classical clarinet buddy suggest I try Legere reeds.

I spent a period of time experimenting with Legere, adjusting my chops to them, and making some adjustments with my set up to get optimal results with Legere. I became so impressed with the quality of sound I get with Legere -- regular cut on tenor sax & bass clarinet and the Quebec cut on clarinet -- that I gave up on cane reeds and have been using Legere exclusively for the past 3 years.

There are times when I do a reality check and try cane reeds again. I haven't found a cane reed yet that makes me want to switch from Legere. That said, if I went back to cane I'd probably first try Gonzalez.

PS, I think it's difficult to discuss reeds without taking into account one's mouthpiece set up. The characteristcs of a given mouthpiece may result in some reeds working better on it than others. It often comes down to finding a good MATCH between the pieces of our equipment and us as players.

Roger

[harmonizerNJ]

On the alto, I have used LaVoz for about 30 years (medium, on a large tip opening HR mpc). Until I recently tried Rico Jazz Select, I had never found another reed type that enabled me to enjoy the combination of high end punch, low end responsiveness, and quiet playing at the same time.

I just started trying RJS a few months ago, and then I picked up an RPC 1 month ago, so I am now in an experimental phase again and I'm not sure which reed type I will stay with.

dave2sax, I find it interesting that you found the LaVoz to be consistent, since for me they have been the opposite - in a box of 10, I typically find 1 or 2 really great reeds which keep me coming back for more, along with others of varying capability and hardness. Maybe it is me: perhaps I need to use the LaVoz at the edge of their capabilities in order to get my sound where I want it to be? I have found the RJS to be more consistent than the LaVoz so far, and the RJS seem to offer alot of the good characteristics of the really good LaVoz reeds.

I have tried Vandoren reeds in the past, and they never did a thing for me. But I have never tried any of their modern products such as the V16 or Javas. If anyone thinks they are a good match for an RPC 90R, I suppose I should give them a try.

[SaxJazz12]

Rico Jazz Select, specifically the filed. For whatever reason, these work for me just about every time.

[bstrom]

I have been using RJS unfiled. It seems to be a darker , huskier sound which works for me, are fairly consistent (for a reed) and they last quite awhile. Before that it was the orange box Ricos for a long time which is kind of an economical student reed that doesn't seem to hold up for me. Although I was not a real student anymore I was frugal but they are just to wimpy. Your result may and probably will vary.

[jdaddy]

Alexander D.C. they have an instant responce time and they last. they can play low and high both pretty well, and they dont require as much effort. when i first discovered them i went crazy... the one bad thing is they are expensive and pretty hard to get

[Saxapwn1]

Ive used the Vandoren Javas/V16's for a while but couldnt get that deep fat warm tone with a edge that i could call on when i wanted it. It was with those reeds either there, or not there. Then i went back to trying Rico Jazz Selects Unfiiled, big deep warm fat sound with an edge you can call upon! Never switchin back! Now i see why Chris Potter/Gary Foster support these reeds!