2003 RICO REED catalog

[Bryan Kendall]

I have been looking in the new 2003 RICO REED CATALOG. There is much reed terminology that I do not tnderstand. Can this stuff actually be quantified? What is true and what is “marketing”?

RICO says: More wood in the heart of the reed for a classic sound that is pure and warm.
Question: How would more (thicker) wood in the heart produce a warmer sound?

RICO says: Tradional “BLANK” for clarity of sound and flexibility.
Thick blank for a darker, richer tone quality.
Question: What is a blank?

RICO says: Shorter vamp for dark tone.
Question: How will a shorter vamp produce a dark tone?

RICO says: Balanced reed tip profile designed for quick response and articulation.
Question: How?

RICO says: Thinner tip for ease of play, quick response and articulation.
Question: How?

[Les22]

Good questions.

[singlereed]

Well it is a load of jargon! Have a look at Larry Teal's Book 'The Art of Saxophone' for a run-down of the anatomy of a reed and how its aspects affect the sound. Some of what Rico is saying means that they are claiming accuracy and quality, the other factors are design issues and these are what makes the different types and makes of reeds play differently.

Its worth comparing a few different reeds on your horn if you have never done it - but I think its fair to say that if you took a Vandoren Traditional, a Java and a V16, OR a Grand Concert, Rico Jazz Select and a Lavoz, you would have a good cross-section of the most common profiles available. It is a bit of a journey to find the best reed for your style and mouthpiece.

[ronet-tenor]

Singlereed,

Can you tell me more about reed profiles, or where on the web I can read about the subject? I played Fibracells, not because they were great, but because they were consistent. I was failrly satisfied until Fibracell changed the "profile". Now, I can't play their reeds with the new profile. I'd like to find out which cane reed has a similar profile to the old Fibracell and what I should be looking for to match the reed profile to my mouthpiece and playing style. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.