Back to the orange box

[John Tenor]

Been trying out some different reeds to see if I can get improvements. I normally use orange box Ricos (3.5 Tenor) but thought I'd try others. Tried 3.5 Hemke - they squeak in the upper register. 3.5 Marca - too hard. 3 Hard RJS - too soft. So back I go to some of the old Ricos I'd tested before and thought they were no good, and lo and behold they play really well and one or two of them have become my mainstays. So maybe you can't go by first impressions and have to test them again a while later - to see whether by that time they've decided to perform.

[bflateflat]

I always save reeds that don't work at first, over time some seem to come alive, I don't know why, mabe aging has something to do with it.

[SaxerEd829]

Is there a reason that you haven't tried Vandoren's?

They work really well for me, and I know that it's a matter of personal preference, but they work really well for me.

The Blue Box and Java's are my fav's. I've tried v-16 and ZZ's but they didn't work so well.

[John Tenor]

Is there a reason that you haven't tried Vandoren's?

They work really well for me, and I know that it's a matter of personal preference, but they work really well for me.

The Blue Box and Java's are my fav's. I've tried v-16 and ZZ's but they didn't work so well.

Yes, I've tried Vandoren 3.5 (Blue Box) but they seem to lack 'body' in the sound. I've also tried La Voz Med Hard but found them pretty stuffy. I like to get (don't we all) a good reliable and full tone up top with ease of access in the lower register but it is difficult to achieve both of these with the same reed. Orange Ricos seem to come nearest. Actually I've been using them 20 years or so so I guess I've just got very used to them.

[Adam]

I know what you mean, I haven't found anything that works for me on bari other than orange box Ricos... And unfortunately, the newer ones are completely useless to me... I'm constantly looking for these:
http://members.cox.net/sideman7/Rico.jpg

[quackattack]

Rico orange box reeds in size 3 are good for me on some setups which require a flexible reed, I have used them with good success on a metal STM on alto and another metal piece I'm experimenting with now. In the past I have ultimately moved onto a 'better' reed, like the RJS. But the orange box are not like the RJS, they have a full fat sound with a bit of roughness / grit. RJS, otoh, to me are more buzzy and free-blowing, but the cane seems better.

[John Tenor]

Rico orange box reeds in size 3 are good for me on some setups which require a flexible reed, I have used them with good success on a metal STM on alto and another metal piece I'm experimenting with now. In the past I have ultimately moved onto a 'better' reed, like the RJS. But they are not like the RJS, they have a full fat sound with a bit of roughness / grit. RJS to me are more buzzy and free-blowing, but the cane seems better.

Yes, I think you mean that the Orange box Ricos have a full fat sound with a bit of roughness/grit and I agree with you - which is why I like them. I agree too that RJS are free blowing, but the 3H I've bought have a thin tone quality, so I'm going to try one thickness up just to see. By the way, I have a metal piece, about 4.5, a one off I bought from my technician who made it for himself.

[John Tenor]

I know what you mean, I haven't found anything that works for me on bari other than orange box Ricos... And unfortunately, the newer ones are completely useless to me... I'm constantly looking for these:
http://members.cox.net/sideman7/Rico.jpg

Agreed. The latest boxes I've bought aren't as good as the older ones. The writng on the back is also slightly different and the older ones had a treble clef on them as well. Cost cutting no doubt.

[quackattack]

I agree too that RJS are free blowing, but the 3H I've bought have a thin tone quality, so I'm going to try one thickness up just to see.

I want to try the Rico orange 3's as an alternative to the Jazz Select 3S filed I've been using... I am thinking maybe this will help my intonation problem on one open mouthpiece I have, since the orange box is less free-blowing, but still has a soft, flexible feel to it compared to something like a vandoren 3, but not thin sounding like a vandoren 2.5 (for comparison.)

[John Tenor]

I myself will be trying a harder RJS to see if it has a fuller tone while still remaining free blowing. Why not try that?

[E7sus4(b9)]

Orange box 3 1/2 Rico reeds. Best jazz tenor reeds....ever.
I too have tried just about everything and I always to back to my Ricos.

[Razzy]

Orange box ricos, or La Voz, are the name of the game. Continue to hope that Rico doesn't make the same horrible mistake as Vandoren and start individually wrapping their reeds.

[John Tenor]

Orange box 3 1/2 Rico reeds. Best jazz tenor reeds....ever.
I too have tried just about everything and I always to back to my Ricos.


Nice to find a kindred spirit. Old or new I do always find they are about 90%. I'm still going to try to some harder RJS or softer Marca but I guess I'll still end up with the Orange.

[John Tenor]

Orange box ricos, or La Voz, are the name of the game. Continue to hope that Rico doesn't make the same horrible mistake as Vandoren and start individually wrapping their reeds.

Hi Razzy. I tried La Voz but without success. I think we communicated on 'cutting the changes' in the performing/improvising section nearly a year ago.

[magical pig]

I agree too that RJS are free blowing, but the 3H I've bought have a thin tone quality, so I'm going to try one thickness up just to see.Sometimes, the answer is less not more... I wouldn't believe it but you CAN get a bigger/fuller sound with a softer reed setup. I'm not sure how it works though. The only drawback is that you can't push'em as hard in terms of volume.

And LaVoz are great reeds and a cheaper alternative to Rico Orange than any other brand.

Victor.

[John Tenor]

Sometimes, the answer is less not more... I wouldn't believe it but you CAN have a bigger/fuller sound with a softer reed setup. I'm not sure how it works though. The only drawback is that you can't push'em as hard in terms of volume.

And LaVoz are great reeds and a cheaper alternative to Rico Orange than any other brand.

Victor.

Yes, quite possibly. But blow hard in the upper register and won't you get a loud screech?

[magical pig]

Yes, quite possibly. But blow hard in the upper register and won't you get a loud screech?Not if you keep your lower lip loose enough. It's hard to kick the habit. I know I'm in rehab right now.

Victor.

[quackattack]

Rico Royal 3's fixed my intonation problem, now I want to try the plasticovers.

[John Tenor]

Not if you keep your lower lip loose enough. It's hard to kick the habit. I know I'm in rehab right now.

Victor.

May try it one day. Thanks for the idea. But after many years playing my gut feeling is that it won't work, or I won't be able to change my embouchure and keep getting the tone I'm happy with.

[hakukani]

I always save reeds that don't work at first, over time some seem to come alive, I don't know why, mabe aging has something to do with it.

I have vandoren's that I've had since the 70s. They don't seem to improve.

[3 Olives]

They have old 2's at Marsh Woodwinds
http://www.marshwoodwinds.com/Images/Item780/382900590972222.jpg

[John Tenor]

I have vandoren's that I've had since the 70s. They don't seem to improve.

Give them another 30 years. You may be surprised.

[bstrom]

I have vandoren's that I've had since the 70s. They don't seem to improve.

Yes, only MKVIs from the 70's have improved :)