V16,jaZZ,Java or Traditional?

[Robb_P]

can pick multiple choices.

What Vandoren reed do you think is best or find works best for you?

I'm using Trad. 2.5s at the moment ..... I'm a beginner (2years) but looking for a change. I like Vandoren a lot, just a case of brand loyalty really. I play classical and jazz.

[Robb_P]

sorry, i seem to have posted 3 threads :shock: could someone delete those which are not polls? thanks.

[BertieB]

I've been playing soprano sax for last 7 months, and recently tried all the vandorens, bar the Trad., as a change from my Rico royales. Preferred choice is java which sounds great in my berg larsen mpc on my Rampone & Cazzane straight - lovely with classical, and silky with jazz. V16 next, but takes more puff and less refined, but characterful. zz too bright for my taste, even on the Rampone. Other option tested was Rico special jazz, which is also great - just ahead of java!

[maestroelite]

For me, the Traditionals work pretty well for classical and Javas work best for jazz. The ZZs are pretty similar as well, but they tend to add a bit of their own character to the sound. For me, the Javas are a pretty tonally neutral reed and allow the mouthpiece to speak naturally. The V16s and ZZs seem geared towards a certain sound. I'm sure someone else could say the same thing about Javas and love V16s or ZZs though.

[Jeff C]

I love the javas on my Tenor. Have been using them on my alto, but just ordered come ZZ's to try. (cheaper G.A.S. cure)

[joshdog]

recently i always play with v16 2.5 on my alto . I never tried jazz, java or traditional. But v16 really work for me.

[Bari Gordon]

I use 2 1/2 V-16, 3 ZZ, and 3 V-16 on both alto and tenor. Since the ZZ is a little softer than the V-16 this gives me an in-between strength. This range of reeds suits my current mouthpiece arsenal:
Tenor: Lamberson 8DD, Link STM NY 9*, Rast J .118, EZ'ed Dukoff D7 (.109)
Alto: Lamberson 7M and 7SB, EZ'ed Gale 5L (.069)

[selmer]

V16,jaZZ,Java or Traditional?

I prefer Italian coffee

[RootyTootoot]

They all have their virtues (although i'm not so sure on the ZZ) I like V16s at the moment..

[estagro]

Love Javas on my sop, but use trads for my alto and bari. Should try the Java for alto one of this days...

[JL]

I've played the V16s on my tenor for years. Every once in a while I try something else then go back to the V16s. They seem to have a bit more punch (as advertised) and last longer than other cane reeds.

[Graftonsax]

I put all, I use trad for classical, java on alto, zz and v16 on bari and v16 on tenor.

[magical pig]

It's how you play the reeds not the reeds themselves that are important. I'd even say the combination of those 2 is definitely what you want to give some thought to. If you strive for a darker sound but blow bright, something like the trad will be perfect. If you find you don't have enough core to your sound, try the V16 they will center your sound. The Javas and ZZ will add some edge to your sound. I find the ZZ to be kind of middle of the road.

The V16 and Trad don't have the quick response of the Javas and ZZ but they seem to last a bit longer and once they're settled keep their core sound and strength throughout their lives.

Anyway, that's what I personally found using those reeds and I guess everyone has a different opinion on reeds and how they play for them.

Me? I play Rico Lavoz :shock:

Victor.

[ChuBerry47]

I know I am guilty, but I play all of them. I believe that each has their own specific abilities. I play Traditional for Classical, Jazz for swing and Big Band, Java for Rock and Funk, and I play V16 for mostly, more modern, big band tunes.

[martysax]

The V16 #3 is the balls for my Tenor with the Dukoff 8, it stinkuss with the Floriduss Linkuss who demands LaVoz.

[trowpa]

V16 3.5 on my tenor
V16 3.5 on my alto
traditional 3.5 on my soprano
V12 4 on my clarinet

Guess i'm a vandoren nut?

[stefank]

Traditional 3 on the Morgan 3C for community band.
Java 2.5 or 3 (depending on whether I want to be raucous or not) on the Morgan Excalibur 7EL.
Java 2.5 on the Dukoff D7 for reminding people with electric guitars that I'm present.

[ZenBen]

Traditional blue box are working quite well for me on tenor with my Otto Link Tone Edge.

[McNeeseTenor]

Traditional for classical and ZZ for jazz

[dstack79]

In the rare event that I play orchestral/legit stuff, the blue box trads are the bee's knees. I like the ZZ's and occasionally the V-16's for jazz. I absolutely hate the javas. Never found one that played for me.

-Dan

[milandro]

I am playing the Javas at the moment and although I liked them very much in the beginning I am probably having second thoughts now. I think I'm finding them actually a little bright (and getting brighter as they wear out) on my Java t55 Vandoren mouthpiece (and optimum ligature, a true vandoren appreciator!). The blue box don't really cut if for me, at least perhaps they would if they would be more reliable (I have had boxes going all over the place the last year). The ZZ are very nice too. I tried the V16 on alto. I thought they wore out very quickly.

[Vandal Sax]

I use traditionals (3.5) for concert and JAVA (2.5) for jazz. I'm gunna try to bring the JAVA's back up to a 3 but a new mouthpiece and bigger opening forced me to bring it down.

[danielnz]

JAVA 3.5 all the way!!!

[raiderjazz]

Im going to have to go with the ZZ's. I like v16, but once i tried the ZZ i never went back. i dont know why. And i just dont really care for javas.

[tanbark813]

I've been playing Javas for years but recently tried out ZZ's on alto and soprano. I don't dislike ZZ's, they're good reeds, but I still prefer Javas. The Javas seem more edgy to me while the ZZ's seem more neutral. I'm not sure why the ZZ's are marketed as their new jazz reeds but then I prefer a brighter sound.

I've also noticed that Javas don't warp as easily as ZZ's.

[dave2sax]

The V16 #3 is the balls for my Tenor with the Dukoff 8, it stinkuss with the Floriduss Linkuss who demands LaVoz.

Marty - is that an alto Florida Link? I've been playing Superials on mine, but am thinking about changing to V16 - thought it gave it a real strong, focused sound, the Superials were definitely brighter. I think I just like the feeling of extra wood on the tip of the V16, makes it feel like it won't wimp out when you're really blowing.