The Best Synthetic Reed

sessionsax · 04-02-2003, 06:56 PM

Anyone want to give their favorite and why. I currently use Harry Hartman Fiberreeds when I can afford them, and Fibracells the rest of the time.

I hate baris and havent tried Hahn or legere. Please join in.

mostly alto guy · 04-02-2003, 07:21 PM

Hahns are great--not cane, having a bit more buzz and a bit less richness, but very consistent. Strap it on, blow, and zoiks, it plays!

If you have to leave your horn on the stand a while then immediately play with no warm-up, you need a Hahn.

GottaSax · 04-02-2003, 10:05 PM

Go w\ legere.

Big Nick · 04-02-2003, 10:32 PM

I use Fibracells (alto, tenor) and Baris ( soprano, baritone) mostly. Occasionally Hahn, but I'm not over keen on their sound.
I got thoroughly fed up with the inconsistency of Legere - and they're a bit dull for me.

MojoBari · 04-03-2003, 02:37 AM

I went through a Bari phase. They are good for brightening up darker mouthpieces. Later I went to brighter mouthpieces with Fibracells. I love Legere on clarinet.

Mike Ruhl · 04-03-2003, 03:29 AM

I've used Fibracells and the regular clear Baris on soprano and tenor. I prefer Fibracells. But sometimes I'll stick a clear Bari on my clear plastic Kleartone tenor mpc, just for funny looks I get.

I want to try the Bari * and the Legere on soprano.

Mike R. :USA:

RS · 04-03-2003, 06:30 AM

Fibracells are the best I've found but I only use them on bass clarinet.

singlereed · 04-03-2003, 07:01 AM

I find Hahns very usable, they are consistent and work better, right ot of the box, for longer than 8 out of 10 cane reeds. They ultimately lack the finesse of a good cane reed working at its best, but do perform well, especially in the palm key and altissimo area. I found little difference in strength from 2 to 2.5 to 3 on tenor (all feel a little too soft) yet a 2.5 on alto was too hard.

Stencilman · 04-05-2003, 12:47 PM

I've en trapped in reed hell for quite a while with boxes and boxes of cane reeds everywhere but only a couple that play well. Synthetics seem the way to go so I went ahead and ordered some PlastiCover, Fibrarcell and Bari reeds for my soprano.

The PlastiCovers were surprisingly inconsistant in strength considering that I played these exclusively some 15 years ago with good results. Out of 2 boxes (10 reeds) I found only 4 that were playable. On both of my mouthpieces they did not sound anything like a good cane reed. Bye-bye PlastiCover.

The two Bari reeds were identical in strength but the Mediums were just a little too soft for my mouthpieces. I cut one back but it felt very "springy". Pitch was everywhere - kind of what happens when a soft reed is used on a long facing mouthpiece. Very bright and a little too much buzz. Trimming the reed seems to tone things down so I should trim it again. The jury is still out but it doesn't look good for Bari's and me.

Both of the Fibracells played very well. I accidently ordered the same strength for both reeds but they worked perfectly for my mouthpieces. Very much like a good cane reed. I've only played on them for about 4 hours so far, but I like these better than any cane reed I've played on soprano.

BTW, my mouthpieces are a Dukoff D8 and a Graftonite C7 reworked to a 68 tip opening and a baffle and chamber the similar to the Dukoff.

Knight Ender · 04-07-2003, 07:29 AM

I just got a few synthetic reeds to try out. I tried Bari(med), Legere(2.5), and Fibracell(med hard) all for alto. The Legere was amazing from the first note, I really love it. The fact that it is clearish was a bit of a throw off, as I have played only on cane til now. The Fibracell had more of a cane feel and also played better than a fresh cane reed. The Bari reed is the one I'm not sure about. I keep getting this twangy kind of buzz.....it's hard to explain. I don't plan on throwing it out however, I might work on it and see if I can't get it to play. I will definately try some on my tenor next time go reed shopping.

Bill Mecca · 04-07-2003, 02:36 PM

I've played almost exclusively on Fibracell for that past 9 years or so
(? time is passing so quickly as I get older ;D)

I have some Bari and a Bari*. I find the Bari reeds a bit "colder" sounding and a bit stiffer/harsher than the fibracell, though they do play extremely well in the upper atmospheric ranges. The fibracells just work. I have some Plasticovers and some Vandoren V16's. The V16's play very much like the Fibracell. But since they are so close there is no need to change as I am sure the synths will last longer, and be less expensive in the long run. For me the differences in sound out front are not really that noticeable, its more about response and consistency. I used to work cane reeds, but found I would rather be playing than sanding reeds.

Oh, I play only tenor.

tomsch · 04-07-2003, 04:34 PM

I've used Bari reeds on tenor and soprano for years. Last year I did switch to Bari * for tenor. I do end up sanding some on all the Bari reeds I use which reduces the buzz and also removes the sharp edges.

sessionsax · 04-29-2003, 04:32 PM

Just wanted you guys to know that I have been using the same Harry Hartman reeds that I bought in December till now (May) and they still work great. I have sanded the tips back a bit, but with that little modification, they are still singing.

Rarely do quotes of a reed lasting 10 time longer than cane actually deliver. I play at least 4 hrs a day also.

My fibracells never made it that long. Usually about a month -- which I used to consider a good deal.

Hey has anyone tried the studio cut legeres? They look similar -- from what I can see -- to the fiber reeds. Are they bright and full?

mr00420 · 05-02-2003, 05:23 PM

How much do one of these Fibracells go for in the U.S.? In Japan they're going for almost $30! I just took a look at one... is it treated or coated reed cane, or completely synthetic?

Mike Ruhl · 05-02-2003, 06:13 PM

Completely synthetic. Kevlar fibers embedded in a special resin. Check out http://www.fibracell.com/history.htm

mr00420 · 05-03-2003, 04:24 AM

What's the general retail price for one alto sax fibracell?

Bill Mecca · 05-03-2003, 04:33 AM

check www.daybreakenterprises.com or www.gigdust.com, best prices I've found and great service!

sjabariiii · 05-03-2003, 04:53 AM

How about the Codera and Codera carbon toptone? Or the BG Hybrid??

mr00420 · 05-03-2003, 07:47 AM

Well thanks for the link, but I was just wondering off the top of your head what was the usual price you've paid at a shop for a fibracell reed. I'm not going to mailorder it from here in Japan.

KingConn · 05-04-2003, 04:19 PM

The fibracell is the ONLY choice for me. Gives me THE sound I want,
plays very easy, much easier than the soft or med. Bari. I get
mine directly from the manufacture. They seem to be more
consisitant. Also, they are the latest generation. The number
on the back shows which lot they are. 94 or higher are the
best. ANY number lower does not compare. Even at $14, they
are a steal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!