Rico Royal question

[MB-913]

1) For tenor, compare to Vandoren Blue Box Traditional 2.5, Rico Royal 2.5 is same hardness or softer? I realize Vandoren Blue Box Traditional is much harder (at least 1/2 or 1/3) compare with many same reed in same strength.

An example is Vandoren Blue Box 2.5 is much harder than Java 2.5 (at least 1/2 or 1/3 harder)

2) For tenor, Rico Royal vs Select Jazz, which is more bright ?

3) Does Rico Royal tenor reed sound dark or bight ?

[Mike Ruhl]

1) Rico Royals are noticeably softer than Vandoren Traditionals, for all strengths.

2) Rico Select Jazz are brighter than Rico Royals.

3) Rico Royals are a "middle-of-the-road" reed, neither very dark nor very bright. They are basically the same as the regular orange-box Ricos, except Royals are French cut.

[MB-913]

meruhl

Thanks for information. If Rico Royal sound very close t Orange Box, what about LA Voz? Does La Voz tenor also sounds like Orange Box ?

I heard Dexter Gordon is using Rico reed but don't know if it is Orange Box, Rico Royal or La Voz? Any idea ?

[Mike Ruhl]

LaVoz are made by Rico, but they're a different grade of cane and a different cut than regular Ricos.

What Dexter Gordon played may have been regular Ricos, but back then they came in a different box. The orange box has only been around for 8 or 10 years. In fact, Rico just changed their packaging this year.

I think most of your questions could be answered by your visiting the Rico website: www.ricoreeds.com

Mike

[jazzman]

I am a freshman in high school. I have been playing the alto sax for seven years. I just started usind Rico Royal this year. I really notice a difference in the quality of sound I get from the Royals. I play in the Jaz on concert bands in my school. I don't get as good of a sound in Jazz as I do in classical. I was thinking about trying out the Rico Jazz I was wondering who recommends them.

[Hurling Frootmig]

You should give the Jazz Selects a try. They come in two flavors - Filed and Unfiled. Buy a five pack of each and see which one you like better. It might take some hunting to get the correct strength as they are in soft, medium, and hard within every number strength.

[MB-913]

Hurling Frootmig

Frankly, I still have 3 box of SJ reeds in different strength not yet to use.
My personal comment on SJ is it sound nice & rich, some edge but not too bright. However, after playing an hour, it's more & more difficult to control the articulation. usually I have to use anther reed after max. 90 mintues.