Alexander Sizes Comparable to Vand. Java

HandaMan · 04-01-2003, 01:46 AM

I play Vandoren Java 3, and I'd like to try to Alexander Superials, but don't know if they are comparable in strength. I read some reviews on wwbw, and two said Superials run on the light side and that a half size up is recommended. Input?

Mike Cesati · 04-01-2003, 11:43 AM

I haven't played alot of Javas (some)but I think they would be comparable.I would go with the #3 Superial.

Gregg W. Jackson · 04-01-2003, 04:39 PM

I'd go with a Superial 3 too, based on my experience with the tenor reeds. I've found that Alexander Superial and Superial DC reeds are comparable in strength to Vandoren Java and V16 reeds, about a half strength softer than Vandoren Traditional reeds, and about a half strength harder than Rico Select Jazz reeds.

Tears June · 04-02-2003, 03:41 PM

Gregg W. Jackson

You mean Java no. 2.5 = Superial 2.5, same hardness? If so, Superial should be 1/2 softer than V-16 because my experience is V-16 & Traditional is much harder than Java in same strength.

Gregg W. Jackson · 04-02-2003, 04:04 PM

Tears June,
With brand new V16s that I've just broken in, I would agree. They seem to play a half strength harder than brand new, just broken in, Javas or Superials. The difference is that after some playing, the V16s seem to soften a half strength, while the Javas and Superials seem to retain their strengths. So they end up comparable in strength, in my opinion.

Tears June · 04-03-2003, 04:29 PM

Gregg W. Jackson

In your experience, how long you play a V-16 then it come softer? I found V-16 (No. 2) is still very hard even playing for totally 2 (about 2 sessions). May be not because only the hardness, but I don't feel as comfortable as Java (2.5) or Trad (2). Can't descript it, there are some factor, may be more wood on the vamp & heart.

Yes, I think it sound more as brilliance as Java so that I don't feel good.

Gregg W. Jackson · 04-03-2003, 05:07 PM

Tears June,
I haven't kept track of how long I play the V16s before they start to soften. My guess is that it's after five or six sessions, maybe longer.

As far as feeling comfortable with a reed, I also find that some reeds are more comfortable than others. And some reeds that are more comfortable for me on one mouthpiece are not as comfortable on another. For example, the V16 3 is my favorite reed on my Vandoren Jumbo Java T95, but the V16 in any strength doesn't work for me on my Phil Barone Fusion 8.

MM · 05-04-2003, 08:32 AM

I find a Java 3 to be between the Superial DC 3 and 3 1/2.

shortwhite · 05-04-2003, 11:02 PM

I used Java # 3's for many years. When I switched to Alexander Superial DC reeds I had to move up to # 3 1/2s.