Hemke vs. Vandoren Trad.

CodyW · 03-03-2003, 12:36 AM

These are both labeled as classical reeds. I like the vandorens. They seem to have a nice solid core. How do the hemkes compare to vandorens?

DocSax · 03-03-2003, 06:04 AM

Well, my experience with Hemke's hasn't been all that great. If you find a good one, then it's really great. Nice dark, full, rich tone. Problem is, it won't stay good for long! They go soft pretty quickly.

Another problem is that you're lucky if you can find one truly good reed in each box of 5. I've gone through 3 boxes, and found 3 good reeds, 12 stinkers.

As a result, I'm looking for a gond legit reed. I just ordered some Alexander Classiques from ww and bw, and I'll let you know how it goes!

Andrew · 03-03-2003, 08:47 AM

I feel that Hemke isn't as consistant as the Vandoren Blue box (Traditional). Also, the Vandoren blue box gives me a much fuller and darker tone than the Hemke's do.

peter stockton-smith · 03-07-2003, 11:14 PM

I found hemke great reeds, and pretty consistent. By the way I tried Alexanders and I found them less versatile and blew out quicker so who knows.

Cameron Wigmore · 03-08-2003, 08:48 PM

I used Hemke for a year or so. Nice reed. Vandoren classical are too dark/stuffy. I shave and adjust most of my reeds, and hemkes seemed to work out well for me. Everyones set up is different, so go see for yourself.

John Scorgie · 03-10-2003, 08:18 AM

Although I use Vandoren, Hemke, LaVoz, Rico, and even some plastic reeds, I play Hemke more than all of the other brands combined.

I find them similar to Vandorens in response, slightly softer in strength, and far more consistent in quality.

One nice thing about the Hemkes is that they come in those little boxds of 5, so you can experiment with different strengths without spending a fortune.

If you play a Vandoren 3, you may want to buy both 3 and 3 1/2 in the Hemke. If you play a 3 Rico, or a LaVoz M or MH, you may want to buy both 3 and 2 1/2 in the Hemke.

I'm with Cammy -- I work over ALL of my reeds, and begin my process as soon as the reeds come out of the box.

IMHO, if all sax players would learn to adjust their reeds, they would find MANY more keepers in each box, and their reeds would also last far longer.

Vortex · 03-11-2003, 01:18 AM

If you ask me, Vandoran traditionals are probably the best. Short break in time, long life, nice tone, and if you take care of them they last a LONG time. Just my 2 cents

Joseph Boucher · 03-24-2003, 03:50 AM

I agree with Vortex. I use to use Ricos in the orange box and royals too. Then I switch to Vandoren Javas. When my local supplier ran out of Javas I bought Vandoren blue box and have been using them ever since. The Vandoran Trads are a little harder than Ricos or even Vandoren's own Javas. BUT, the Vee Trads do last a long long time, and that saves money.Not to mention the nice darker sound.

bcnsax · 03-28-2003, 10:27 AM

I agree with joseph and Vortex. I like Vandoren at best, and I've tried a lot of brands before (Hemke, rico, la voz, etc...).
I use blue box or v-16. Javas sound just too open for me.

White Willie · 06-09-2003, 06:14 AM

All the discussion about how few reeds on a new box can actually be played reminds me of all the frustration I experienced for 35 years of professional playing. I would buy boxes of 25 reeds, and feel lucky if I could play 2!

Then, about 5 years ago, I discovered that I can, with a little effort, turn about two-thirds of the reeds in a box to being perfect.

I start with the assumption that no reed out of the box is a finished product. In fact, they aren't. If you can feel grain on the top or bottom, the reed isn't complete. As a matter of fact, if the flat side of the reed has any grain you can feel, then it is going to have micro leaks while you play. The surface between reed and mouthpiece (under the ligature) should be air tight.

I begin with 400 grit sandpaper, sanding top and bottom virtually glassy smooth. I then wet the reed and try it. I often soak the reed while sanding. After the reed plays well, I finish off the sanding with 600 grit paper for a glassy surface. Make sure the paper is on a flat, hard surface.

Sometimes the reed may sound too dark for my taste. I sand down some of the heart, being careful to keep the curved contour, and this changes the tone. I can continue working with it until it plays just right for me. The only caution is to check it often; you can always cut it down more, but you cannot add to it. Also, blow it at different volume levels and pitch ranges. I can play altissimo register notes really easy with a reed that is too hard; I can play low notes easily with a reed that is too soft. I WANT ALL OF THEM TO BLOW EASILY !! And with proper sanding, I can have it all.

It may sound like a lot of trouble, but I don't need more than 5 minutes or so to get one right.

Also, it helps to have the right mouthpiece WITH the right ligature for you. For me, I do "wrong" things. Current wisdom says the reed should not be too tight, or it cannot vibrate freely. This sounds backwards to me. I tighten mine down as tight as my finger can stand so the wood is in more contact with the mouthpiece. This also ensures a better seal between mouthpiece and reed, so you have no leaks (which is the purpose of sanding the bottom of the reed to a glassy smoothness).

Further, play around with how far down or up the reed you have the ligature. Don't pay attention to any rule you have been given; your mouth, bite, and muscle structure is unique, and you don't care what it takes for someone else, no matter how famous, to play; you're interested in getting yourself to play the way you want to sound. Ligature placement, for some people, can have a dramatic effect on tone.

Since I play soprano, alto and tenor (all Selmers), I did not want to feel any difference in what it takes to play any of them, as I am constantly having to switch , even in the middle of songs. I use the same ligatures (Rovner) on all three. The soprano plays much better with a Couf rubber mouthpiece. But because I have focused on it, all three horns require the same pressure and effort to blow, so my mouth does not have to readjust when I switch horns.

With a little practice you can probably get a lot of reeds that you have rejected to be just what you need. And if you're like I was a few years back, you have a lot of rejected reeds to practice on.

BTW, if you're curious, I use Hemke 4's. Thick reeds can stand some sanding before they would be too thin, and every reed needs some sanding, so go up on the strength a little at first.

singlereed · 06-09-2003, 08:36 AM

I've found Hemke less consistent. My real find for an alternative to Vandoren is Rico Grand Concert Select. These seem to be consistent and they play right out of the box. I have had one or two that shine for a short while and then just burn out but on the whole I have been very happy with them. The profile feels slightly different than Vandoren, but they give me better control of soft attacks.