Bright reed?

fusionjazzmadman · 05-16-2003, 10:03 PM

Are there any type of reed that is more bright and edgy than another, are filed reeds brighter than unfiled and so on......

MojoBari · 05-17-2003, 12:34 AM

Bari brand plastic reeds, Rico Plasticover.

FunkySax · 05-17-2003, 12:46 AM

A lot depends on how your mouthpiece matches up to the reed. Different brands are different on various mouthpieces. Obviously the platic covered reeds are bright, in cane try the Java Vandorens.

**TJS** · 05-17-2003, 04:15 AM

I agree, Rico Plasticover.

**Bootman** · 05-17-2003, 09:58 AM

The Plastiocovers aren't necessarily bright unless youuse a soft one. I have been favouring the 3 1/2 of late and found that these play with a big resonant rich tone. Bari reeds are very bright as are RJS. The Java and the La Voz can have a nice buzz to them etc...

Test out a whole bunch of different brands and see what comes up as the best choice for you. You may be very surprised and at least you will get a whole bunch of practise in at the same time.

FunkySax · 05-17-2003, 01:46 PM

Yeah it's all about your sound with a particular setup. I can't stand plastic covered reeds, but for other guys they work well. Play a bunch of reeds and pick the one you think sounds brightest if that's what you are looking for. I play Java's and when I have a good one I love them. It takes some time to make sure you always have good reeds, broken in, and ready to be played. I keep some soft and others harder, depending mostly on how hard I have to blow that night. The one thing I will say in closing, is that sax players get too caught up in reeds and mouthpieces. Find your sound, and develop it. Don't go thinking that if you play the same reeds and mouthpieces as your favorite player that you will sound like him. But if you want bright, I would say Bari or some other plastic reed, on the soft side, should be bright

MojoBari · 05-17-2003, 03:46 PM

Fibracells can sound bright and buzzy on the softer strengths. Like 2.5 and softer. Reed strength does have a lot to do with it.

sessionsax · 05-19-2003, 02:59 PM

The Harry Hartman fiberreeds are the brightest I have found. They work best on tenor though.

Mike Ruhl · 05-19-2003, 05:02 PM

Any of the synthetic reeds are going to sound "brighter" on a given setup. Cane reeds "dampen" some of the higher frequencies as the sound waves reflect first off the mpc baffle, then off the reed, on their way down the tube. The harder, smoother surface of the synthetics (and Plasticovers) don't dampen these frequencies as much, if at all. Kind of like playing a ceramic-tiled bathroom.

MojoBari · 05-19-2003, 05:35 PM

But Legeres are very dark. Like playing in a padded cell. (I'm much better now...)

colibri · 05-20-2003, 12:02 AM

If I remember correctly, Legere's cut was designed for classical music.

Mike Ruhl · 05-20-2003, 01:00 AM

I'll have to try a Legere then. Dark is good.

**Hurling Frootmig** · 05-20-2003, 02:24 AM

The regular Alexanders seem very bright and edgy to me (not the classique or DC's) as well as the Rico Jazz Selects. I've also been able to brighten up some Vandoren Java's by drilling them with the Bootman process.

colibri · 05-20-2003, 03:49 AM

Mike,
You might want to try a half strength softer. My experience was that it plays a whole strength harder than the V16s.

Mike Ruhl · 05-20-2003, 01:25 PM

Thanks for the tip!

Mike :USA: