Any way to thin out a Legere reed?

[LUEshi]

I just bought a Legere reed thinking on the same strength scale as normal reeds, and got a 3.25 strength. The sucker is way too hard to even play on, and I threw out the package by mistake so I can't return it with their policy. And way to make the thing a bit softer and easier to play on?

[Spongebob Saxpants]

People on here have talked about sanding their cane reeds to make them softer. I would assume that a similar process would work fine for synthetic.

[zxcvbnm]

Legeres have a break in period, like cane reeds. Just play on it for a while and it will get softer.

[mbarnard]

Heat up some water in a mug to near boiling (pretty hot), then dip the reed into the water for no more than a second or so. This reduces the strength of the reed.

[Sigmund451]

If you send it to the company they will exchange it for you if you bought it from an authorized dealer. They know there are issues with finding the right strength.

[gearaholic]

My teacher talked to Legere's founder and he said DO NOT sand them, but the boiling thing previously mentioned is the best way to soften them. But, if they're way too hard, you should probably try sending them back.

[Spongebob Saxpants]

My teacher talked to Legere's founder and he said DO NOT sand them

Do you know why? I'm just curious...

[bandmommy]

Because they're NOT cane. Plastic-like rubbery substances don't sand, they tend to shred.

[Roger Aldridge]

The ATG Reed Finishing System can be used to make adjustments to Legere reeds. I've used it in the past. That said, the cost of an ATG is about that of 3 new Legere reeds.

Personally, I think it would be better to chaulk this up to experience and get a new Legere reed in a softer strength and remember to keep the box and sales receipt in case the reed needs to be exchanged for a different strength.

Putting the reed in hot water will soften it. If you're stuck with the reed, this might be okay purely as an experiment. But, it's important to understand that this approach is not going to tell you what strength to try next time. Also, it's my understanding that after a Legere reed is left to rest for a period of time it will return to its original strength. Thus, using hot water is only a temporary solution.

The Legere studio alto & tenor reeds are closer to a comparable cane reed strength. However, I don't like the Studio's quality of sound as well as the regular cut. For me, I found a #2.5 regular Legere to be pretty close to a stiffer #3 Alexander Classique.

Good luck!

Roger

[gearaholic]

Bandmommy's got it.

...and RA's right about the problems with boiling.

[saxmanglen]

What about wet sanding?

[heath]

Is it just me or does it seem silly that the company require you to send the reed back to them for replacement. Couldn't you just fax a copy of the receipt or would it be asking to much to even have them send you out a reed based on your word that you actually bought one.

[oldcorollas]

or would it be asking to much to even have them send you out a reed based on your word that you actually bought one.
in that case, why would you ever buy one in the first place?

[heath]

They could keep records to see who's requested a different strength.

Really how much does one of the reeds cost to make. They sell for $11-15. That's a lot of dough for a little piece of plastic.

[Mope]

You can scrape them with a single edge razor blade on the top and along the sides on top. Scrape towards the tip but stay clear of the tip. It is easier to work on these than cane.

[KennyD]

They could keep records to see who's requested a different strength. Really how much does one of the reeds cost to make. They sell for $11-15. That's a lot of dough for a little piece of plastic.

You can get 'em for $11 to $15? :shock: $30 is the cheapest here in Oz. :cry: And imagine the postage to get one to and a replacement back from Canada?!? It's not gonna happen, despite the large up-front...

They've all got serial numbers on them. How hard would it be to keep a registry of them? Oh, that's right - they already do!

So let us register our original wrong strength and write it off and send us a different strength (with photo of original with receipt, if needed...)? They state they never re-use so they are just going to junk any sent back anyway...

That said, I've now got a wide enough scope of alto 'pieces to match reeds to that I can probably use every strength they come in anyway. Not that I ever had a realistic chance of doing the swapsies.

[DaddyRabbit]

Legere has a chart on their website for comparison of reed strengths. I found it to be pretty accurate.

[heath]

You can get 'em for $11 to $15? :shock: $30 is the cheapest here in Oz. :cry:

I think they're closer to $20.

[oldcorollas]

They've all got serial numbers on them. How hard would it be to keep a registry of them? Oh, that's right - they already do!

So let us register our original wrong strength and write it off and send us a different strength (with photo of original with receipt, if needed...)? They state they never re-use so they are just going to junk any sent back anyway...
good point, i forgot about the serial number :) shouldn't be an issue.. except then you can just keep the old one and use it anyway...
should at least be able to send in without receipt, and if it still looks like new, they replace?

hmm, 2900yen here in japan (= about 31 aussie peso's)
not really much point ordering from OS unless you have things coming anyway