Do I have to prepare Plasticovers?

[Durand]

I know that there are several preparing methods for reeds. My question is about plasticover reeds. Do they have to be prepared before playing? or they are just made to be played out of the box? I have bought a box of Tenor #3 plasticovers and I want to know this.

Thanks for any input

[Agent27]

I've been told that there might be a light film on the black plastic part that could be somewhat toxic. A friend of mine washed them (just rubbed them under streaming water) before he first played them. After that no prep, just play.

[Canadiain]

I play them gently for a little while a day for about a week before going on them fullout, just as I would any other cane reed. That seems to result in more stability and longevity in their performance than just wailing on them out of the box? You can just wail on them new out of the box if you have to, but they dont seem to last as long, but if you are in a bind and need a reed that works, whatareyagoingtodoeh.

I honestly cant see Rico selling anything with remotely toxic properties, or them being allowed too, but as with anything different, there will always be weird rumours and prejudices come up about them.

I have found that plasticovers respond well to sanding to even up the response, just like cane reeds in fact. You lose some of the black covering, but the plastic seems to impregnate the reed a fair ways anyway, so other than the cosmetics, it doesnt hurt the reed any if you need to sand or work the reed to get the best from it.

Only thing that seems pointless with plasticovers in terms of preparation is that thing where you rub your thumb down the vamp to seal the reed structure, as thats effectively what the coating does anyway.

[Pete Thomas]

They'd better not be toxic, I don't think Rico will last long in business selling poisonous reeds.

I don't do any prep. Put them on and blow. Life's too short to be messing with preparing Plasticovers, that's the point of those reeds IMO.

[Durand]

Well Thanks for you comments guys.
I see that even plasticovers are coated, they respond better after playing a while. Seems that the plastic cover doesn't avoid entirely the humidity to enter the cane.
I am going to play them just a couple of minutes at soft to medium volume for a week and see what happens after.

Thanks

[Durand]

They'd better not be toxic, I don't think Rico will last long in business selling poisonous reeds.

I don't do any prep. Put them on and blow. Life's too short to be messing with preparing Plasticovers, that's the point of those reeds IMO.

Thanks Pete:
I am going to keep a couple of them just to play them right out of the box.

I have a Jumbo Java T75 and I have seen that tends to squeak with normal reeds mainly on D2-G2, it seems that plasticovers avoid the squeaks a little. And I have several gigs this week.

[BlueTrane2028]

I agree with Pete.

I play on Plasticovers only a few days a year, for very specific purposes. Not having to prep is the best part about 'em.

[cjmdsax]

Durand,

I have had best results if I match the shape of the reed tip to the shape of the mouthpiece tip. Use fine sandpaper. I get better response that way. Maybe it will help with your squeaks.

[kerry]

Dont need a prep, but I do put them under water for a minute tops, and lightly run my finger on vamp and on flat side actually. There is some kind of film on them(mostly flat table side) that makes them a bit stiff for about 5-8 minutes of firt play unless I do this.

[Doghouse Riley]

If you use a plated mouthpiece don't pull a plasticover reed off the table if you've let it dry overnight, you can sometimes pull bits of the plating away as plasticovers can stick quite hard.

As others have said, just wet them a bit under a running tap, give them a wipe and then play. I find they are excellent if you've only a few minutes to practice, several times in a day.

[kerry]

Ya the plastic will come off, even on your lips. I guess you swallow it and dont even notice cause some times a big area will be gone. Hope I dont get cancer

[Durand]

Thanks to everyone.
I have played my first reed today just after 3-5 minutes of putting it under water. It plays nice, and I don't get any squeaks. I like also that I don't listen the reedy buzz that I have been listening with traditional Vandorens, I don't know why but I haven't been succesful with Vandorens. I think that Platicovers are going to be very useful because I have to double on alto and soprano.

[kerry]

Thanks to everyone.
I have played my first reed today just after 3-5 minutes of putting it under water. It plays nice, and I don't get any squeaks. I like also that I don't listen the reedy buzz that I have been listening with traditional Vandorens, I don't know why but I haven't been succesful with Vandorens. I think that Platicovers are going to be very useful because I have to double on alto and soprano.

Thats strange, the plasticovers are one of the loudest, buzziest, bright reeds available, if not top of the list.

[Durand]

Thats strange, the plasticovers are one of the loudest, buzziest, bright reeds available, if not top of the list.

Yes, you are absolutely right. What I was trying to say is like an airy sound, not buzzy. I like the sound of Plasticovers, mainly because I play latin music (cumbia, merengue, salsa) and I have to play a lot of staccato and rhythmic phrases, not so melodic and then I need a lot of clear and loud voice on my sax. With Vandorens I get too many squeaks, and that's not a problem with Plasticovers (one or two per Gig, lol)

[Doghouse Riley]

Ya the plastic will come off, even on your lips. I guess you swallow it and dont even notice cause some times a big area will be gone. Hope I dont get cancer

Surely more chance with the nylon spatulas used when you're frying eggs in a pan? The missing "end" after long use will surely have been "eaten?" At least with the plastic on a reed, it's "travelling in the other direction."