Best Reed?

[bluesaxgirl]

So, tell me, what is your favorite reed? I prefer 2.5 Vandorens. I use 3's when I know I don't have any high or low notes, which is a major disadvantage.

[CircaRevival]

bluesaxgirl- If you are using the Vandoren's in the blue box in strength 3, keep in mind they run hard, and are equivalent to most other Vandoren (and other companies) 3.5's.

I use Vandoren ZZ strength 2, I like soft reeds...they just work for me.

[saxymanzach]

Use the search button. This question has been asked quite a few times. It's OK, you're new, just don't let Gary catch you. :)

[BertieB]

My favourite varies between a 2 V16 and a 2H Rico Jazz Select on my medium Berg Ebonite on Sop. Now adding an Alto to the equation, I've initially opted for the Rico JS. Don't like Rico Royales much, and never tried Van trads at all.

Get a little tired of the old lags banging on about using the search button:
1. There are too many threads to peruse.
2. Most of the titles are unhelpful or unstraightforward.
3. I'm more likely to want to contribute to a new thread than be weighed down reading others wisdom and feeling like a small fish in a large pond.
4. You have to do a vast amount of reading to find what you want - for example about jody jazz classic mouthpieces or which finish to go for on the Ref 54 (I've gone for the matt!).

So, good on yer for asking a question about reeds, and not just spending your time searching through the archives. No offence to the well seasoned sax dudes who've been there and done that many times

Love & Cuddles
BertieB

[Dog Pants]

My favourite varies between a 2 V16 and a 2H Rico Jazz Select on my medium Berg Ebonite on Sop. Now adding an Alto to the equation, I've initially opted for the Rico JS. Don't like Rico Royales much, and never tried Van trads at all.

Get a little tired of the old lags banging on about using the search button:
1. There are too many threads to peruse.
2. Most of the titles are unhelpful or unstraightforward.
3. I'm more likely to want to contribute to a new thread than be weighed down reading others wisdom and feeling like a small fish in a large pond.
4. You have to do a vast amount of reading to find what you want - for example about jody jazz classic mouthpieces or which finish to go for on the Ref 54 (I've gone for the matt!).

So, good on yer for asking a question about reeds, and not just spending your time searching through the archives. No offence to the well seasoned sax dudes who've been there and done that many times

Love & Cuddles
BertieB

Here's a hint. Hit the search button and type in the words "work ethic."

If you aren't willing to put in the tiny bit of work required to read and research, how the hell do you ever hope to play the saxophone?
If you don't do at least some research and study, you won't have anything woth contributing to any thread. As for feeling like a small fish in a big big pond, get used to it. Gary aside, we're all small fish here. If you continue to revel in your ignorance and laziness, you won't even be a small fish. You'll be plankton, which is only a small step away from being whale s***.
No one minds beginners asking questions. But when you come out and say "bugger it, I couldn't be bothered," you're not exactly inspiring anyone to respond favourably to your questions. Turn off the Playstation and start reading.

[Forty5]

Turn off the Playstation and start reading.

"AMEN"

Don

[sycc]

I like Hemke Preemiums. Most play right out of the box and last about a month. I think tge filed cut helps makes the sax respond easier. Rico Royals are good too but have a brighter sound then Hemke's.My daughters use Hemke and the ocasional vandoren.

[Hurling Frootmig]

Fibracells most of the time.

When I use cane I gravitate towards Rico products. I prefer Rico Royals or I take the time and finish plain old Rico's. If I play Vandoren's then it's ZZ's. The only decent Vandoren since it sounds like a good Rico to me :D

Vandoren Blue Box are my least favorite of any of the major reeds made. They just sound dead to me. I know they work for a lot of players but I've never had any desire to spend much time with them.

[M Exner]

I personally like the synthetic Fibracells. I know they may not be the best but they're easy in reed selection consistency, reed preparation, and reed life. These qualities take the headaches out of reed surprises.

DP- Let's lighten up on your comments to newcomers. If we are sarcastic and impolite to these, that would serve only to squelch them and others. Did you not read the "No offense to the well seasoned sax dudes who've been there and done that many times" ?

Everybody deserves a voice on this web no matter how green they may be. If everyone had to complete an exhaustive search before posting then I believe we can all stop posting now. Mike

[JL]

There are actually two questions being asked. The title of the thread is "best reed?" The answer to that is there is no best reed (although in any given box I suppose we all find one that we consider best).

The second question was "what is your favorite reed?" My answer to that is Vandoren V16. The V16 seems to outlast other reeds and it has more punch than other reeds. But of course that is totally subjective and it is only my favorite. It may not be yours.

Then the question that wasn't asked, but will come up, is what hardness of reed should I use? That's a very good question for the search function, since you will have to wade through a lot of verbiage if you want an answer, and even then you'll find little agreement. And who are you going to believe?

Some of these things, you just have to sort out for yourself, through your own experience. There are really no shortcuts, but you might get lucky and discover what works for you early on.

[jazaddict]

Vandoren V18 #2 on .108-.110 MPC openings.

I, for one, don't mind you asking rather than searching.

[BertieB]

The point for me as a beginner is that there is so much to learn about all aspects of sax playing etc that it is nice to feel that there are others to offer some personal help. It is also nice to join in current discussions rather than be referred to previous discussions between other sax players. I personally put in about an hour a day on non sax playing activities, and find it nice to 'relate' to others and not just be guided elsewhere. Before buying my Ref54 and Jody Jazz mpc I put in immense time and effort, but searching through endless documentation to find answers to certain questions could feel frustrating at times.

I mean no harm to anyone, but find the routine 'press the search button" comment a little offhand at times, especially in the beginners section.

Keep on trucking!

[Ruediger Kramer]

Vandoren ZZ + JAVA 2.5

[Canadiain]

Legere Studio Cut 2.5 for me on Alto (and Clarinet), or Plasticover 2.5s. Its a personal preference, there is no "best reed" for everyone, and those work on my current favourite mouthpiece (Beechler Bellite 7), but no so good on my old Selmer S80C*, which prefered Vandoren Blue box 3s. I'm still figuring it out on Tenor (both mouthpiece and reed).

If you dont like a thread cos its been asked umpteen times before, IGNORE it. Jumping on people (apart from being plain rude) drives people away and we lose the benefit of their contributions in future, and they lose the chance to learn from others here.

If everyone ignores it, then the original poster might just stumble on the wisdom of the ages hidden behind the search button for want of an answer.

[Dog Pants]

I don't mind newcomers asking questions at all. I often answer them as helpfully as I can and also email a lot of stuff to beginners. I do stand by my earlier post, in stating that if a beginner doesn'ty have sufficient initiative to search through past posts, they perhaps don't have the work ethic required to learn to play the saxophone. Most of what you need to know, you have to work out for yourself. Others can guide you along the path but you have to make the journey on your own efforts. Yes there is a lot of stuff to learn and absorb. It's hard work but so is anything else worth doing. I was responding more to what I must have mistakenly perceived to be a lazy attitude than to the fact that the questions had been asked before. I stand corrected. My appologies to you BertieB.

[JL]

Most of what you need to know, you have to work out for yourself. Others can guide you along the path but you have to make the journey on your own efforts. Yes there is a lot of stuff to learn and absorb. It's hard work but so is anything else worth doing..

This is so true, and it's pretty much what I got out of Dog's original post here. It did come off as a bit harsh, but sometimes it's easy to forget that many folks are rather sensitive. One of the best things you can do as a musician is to develop a thick skin, but that's easier said than done. With very few exceptions, I've noticed that most folks who take the time to answer beginner's questions on this forum, do so with the best of intentions, even when they refer to the dreaded "search button," or point out some rather harsh reality (ie. it takes a lot of commitment and hard work to learn to play a saxophone, etc.).

[BertieB]

Cheers Dog Pants! Hope we can be good friends.

Lots of love
BBx

[danyo]

Here's a hint. Hit the search button and type in the words "work ethic."



guess what come up... just guess :D, thats actually fairly amusing.

anyways, right now i'm using 3.5 v16s, but this summer i'm going to go on a reed hunting adventure... aka try out a bunch of different types of reeds. so in a month or when ever i get to it ill be able to better answer this question.

and hey, if absolutely everyone used the search button, then there would be like 2 new posts a day, at which point everyone would get bored and not check the site as much, so those very few new threads would barely get any new posts and then eventually the cost of keeping the forums up wouldnt be worth it and then there wouldn't be a sotw forum any more.

[saxymanzach]

and hey, if absolutely everyone used the search button, then there would be like 2 new posts a day, at which point everyone would get bored and not check the site as much, so those very few new threads would barely get any new posts and then eventually the cost of keeping the forums up wouldnt be worth it and then there wouldn't be a sotw forum any more.

And if nobody used it anymore, then there would be the same damn posts every fricken' day and the forum would die a quick painful death. All of the old guys wwould go away and it would be a bunch of n00bs all asking the same question, but nobody would have the right answer. Why do you think they teach History in school? It's pretty much along the same lines.

Anyway, enough of this, or this will be the fate of the forum, debating the coseqences of usig the search button. All I did was ask Bluesaxgirl, politely, to use the search button.

:director: "OK, everyone, BACK TO THE SHED!!!!"

[Randall]

I can answer this for you without pussyfooting around:

Alexander Superials.

I have played virtually all the brands out there, and have never found a brand that was so consistent and always playable.

There are no culls in a box, and you never need to work on them (filing, etc...). Superb quality.

I have turned a lot of Japanese players onto them and they all have switched and never go back to their Vandorens and Ricos, etc...

They cost a little bit more, but you waste no money, and lose a lot of worry.

[Grumps]

I actually like this question as well. Gives me another opportunity to gripe about how Rico broke my freakin' heart. Tried Alexander Superials right off the bat when my old stores of Rico ran out; and only because they came highly recommended from some of the good folks here. Been workin' fine since.

[disgruntleddave]

Ive grown quite fond of a decent fresh java 4 on my alto (0.074 facing jj esp)

[CSharp]

Alexander Superial "DC" reeds. I like these better than the "plain" Superial reeds - they seem to be a bit richer in tone.

[saxyguy92]

i absolutely love Rico plasticover reeds they are simply amazing when it comes to durabilty, playability, and reed life. They are great for jazz and classical

[AuntSaxophone]

There is no such thing as the BEST reed. It all depends on the player, the mouthpiece, etc... One reed might be perfect for one sax player, while for another, it would be considered the worst thing they've ever tried.

[saxgrrrl]

I go with the Legere Studio Cut - any size from 2's to 3's.
I do a fair amount of busking, and so love the fact with the Legere that its always ready to play. Doesn't need breaking in, or wetting or anything, just ready and reliable.
They last for ages, and even work great when they are old, split, chewed up or whatever.
You can wash or scrub them really easily (or wipe it down on your jeans), so keeping crud down is easy, if thats a problem for you.
Best of all, the Legere's come with a 30 day guarantee, so if you try it (and 30 days is a good try) and dont like it... you can get you money back!
This is IMHO - I don't work for Legere or anything. Maybe there are better reeds for special effects or other sounds....But for me its a great all round solution for all my playing and practising needs
Just so you know:
Alto Keilwerth EX 90, Selmer C* (but looking around) with Rovner ED lig, Legere's 2 3/4 give or take.

[Mope]

Alexander Superial "DC" reeds. I like these better than the "plain" Superial reeds - they seem to be a bit richer in tone.

Huh? How about that. I agree, those are the best.

:Rant: :dazed: :? :banghead:

[CSharp]

See Mope - I told you that I liked Superial in the past. It was just the last 3 tins I purchased that were bad. Very likely you'll find other threads where I express how much I like Superial....including the thread where I shared my horrible experience with returning these bad reeds to Superial (See http://71.6.135.46/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=48318) Notice in that thread, I said "prior to this, I've never had any problems". I even underlined it to be sure people read it!!! Hahaha - so much for your "dissing" theory - eh?! 8-)

[worskeletor]

I know about the "search" function and don't wish to annoy anyone , but the reed question is very confusing for a 2 week newcomer !
All the manufacturers seem to say their particular type of reed is best for light jazz, another type for classical , another type for modern etc.. etc.. -- can any of you tell me why the plasticover type doesn't seem to be reccommended for newbies , as it would seem to take a lot of the trial and error out of the equation - and just allow a newbie to concentrate on strength of reed ??
Thanks in advance !

[worskeletor]

Apologies to you all !!! --- I've seached more and found all I was looking for !! --- SORRY

[sax to the max]

It`s just personal epinion?

[DXCamp]

A Rico rep once told me that almost every big brand name reed is owned by Rico. I've xperienced both filed and unfiled reeds as well as plasticover and enjoyed the time spent with those. Currently enjoying a box of Rico Jazz Select (Select Jazz?) #2 med filed. 2 saxophone players in different parts of the U.S. listened to me play (after I asked if they had the time) and both told me that I would get the best sound w/my fave mouthpiece using a #3, and I have used 3's in the past per their recommendation. Current situation in ensemble work has me focusing on a wider dynamic range and 2's are good for blending with clarinets, flutes, or brass instruments. 8-)

Cane can grow in other places of the world, but the majority of folks I've talked with insist the highest quality grows in Southern France. IOW, if it isn't on the box if might be grown somewhere other than France!

[Martin Williams]

I have a large variety of reeds here, in fact, a huge drawer of many kinds in many strengths

Most of the time I play on Vandoren JAVAs for alto and tenor, they really help to give me the most of what I want, In a 2.5 - 4 strength

Soprano, usually a blue box 2.5, and on Bari I use plasticovers, sizes 3 - 4 or I'll use La Voz medium hard or hard most of the time

I have tons of others though, and i'll switch to other type just on how I feel on a given day or week etc. I think I have about 40 open boxes of reeds for all 4 saxes and clarinet in different brands and strengths. (Talk about reed GAS!!)

[mjfox]

i,ve been playing for 25 years and tried just about every reed there has been..(i even have some of my grandfathers pre WW2 reeds i dont think they will play though just for sentimental keepsakes)
i have been using rico royal jazz select for a few years, but i changed to alexander superials about 12 months ago and i can say these are the best reed i have played. i haven't had 1 duffer. they play right out of the box. and last..
i know everyone is different, but its worth trying as many different types as you can.. and my advice to you is this. if you play a 3 try a 2 and if you play a 2 try a 1.. i found most students who come to me play and a reed that is too hard..

[Eric Bessette]

I can answer this for you without pussyfooting around:

Alexander Superials.

I have played virtually all the brands out there, and have never found a brand that was so consistent and always playable.


I was amazed this week when I can upon my first bad Superial reed out of about 20 reeds since I switched from Ricos. It wasn't even that it didn't work, it was just no fun to play.

The Superial's have been getting a bad rap on another threat but I just love them. Use the tenor 2.5 Superial and the D.C.s with a Jody Jazz HR 7* and now, as of last night, a Dukoff H 7*. Trying some ZZ 3s also and I can't play them on the Dukoff but on the JJ they are nice for a very smooth sound with few raw edges and very ffull sounding upper register.

Amazing consistency and freeblowing quality. That one bad reed will be my first attempt to work on a reed.

I too would like to put in my vote for new dialog on old issues. "Just ignore" is great advice. I also think the search function is one of the best sax resourse in the world (short of private lessons with Sonny Rollins).

[Sax.Geek.And.Proud]

I personally prefer the Rico Royals size 3.5 because they tend to last longer than any vandorens. I have a question to all of you reed knowledge keepers, is there any particular reed strength/brand that plays louder than others without breaking? Whenever I try to play louder on my current reed circle, they break. Does this mean my embouchure is screwed up or do I need a differernt reed/strength? :?

[saxymanzach]

I personally prefer the Rico Royals size 3.5 because they tend to last longer than any vandorens. I have a question to all of you reed knowledge keepers, is there any particular reed strength/brand that plays louder than others without breaking? Whenever I try to play louder on my current reed circle, they break. Does this mean my embouchure is screwed up or do I need a differernt reed/strength? :?
It means that you have a chainsaw attached to your lower lip! How do they break? If you can put enough air through the horn to split your reed in half, man you mush be like a blue whale or something!

[G-dawg]

I personally prefer the Rico Royals size 3.5 because they tend to last longer than any vandorens. I have a question to all of you reed knowledge keepers, is there any particular reed strength/brand that plays louder than others without breaking? Whenever I try to play louder on my current reed circle, they break. Does this mean my embouchure is screwed up or do I need a differernt reed/strength? :?

LOL - Maybe you should try Vandorens... :D

[AuntSaxophone]

My favorite happens to be whatever I can afford at the time. Rico 2.5's have always done the job for me. I don't think I can play well on anything lower than a Rico 2.5 (since I tried a 2 on my friend's Tenor but then again, I'm pretty sure that it wasn't just the reed causing me to squeek when going higher than a middle C. (I also could have sworn I told him that 2.5's were a good start, not 2's)) I don't have a lot of money, and when I do, I need to be saving it for really important stuff like going to see my friend in California next summer.

[Master.America]

I've tried various Ricos. For whatever reason, I don't like them; they all sound and feel the same. From the brown-box Ricos to the Hemkes, I haven't been able to discern one from the other, nor find any favorable. For whatever reason, I keep a plasticover handy, even though my Vandoren Javas seem to be able to outplay it volume-wise.

And that's the one reed I keep falling back on: the Vandoren Java 2.5. If I'm in a boisterous setting with a rhythm section that doesn't understand the purpose of dynamics, I'll move up to a 3 or 3.5, but no other reed seems to cut it for me. I've tried every other Vandoren cut, too, but the Javas are the only ones I find preferable for jazz.

[renegade]

Java #2 is my first preference for my alto althought La voz medium is just as fine as the Javas.

[mrhiatus]

I also like the vandoren javas (#2 I'm a newb) for tenor. I recently had a long practice session and the Java I had finally expired. I tried a #3 rico...ahhh no good. Then a regular Vandoren 2, 2.5, ahhh still no good. I sped down to the music shop and got a box of the Java 2's. I screwed one on.......ahhh YES, just like comfortable shoes.:)

[saxyguy92]

i use Francois Louis Excellence #3 Reeds on my alto, they are amazing

[Consultant]

Hi All,

Only just started playing again after nearly 2 decades away from the Sax, and I'm very much a beginner, so this post should be taken with a large pinch of salt. When I got my sax over a week ago (wow!! that long ago!!) the guy at the store recommended that I grab a bunch of different reeds of the same strength, and try as many as I could to see which I liked the best, he said everyone is different, also told me not to rely on just one if I had a bad experience because reeds have a high attrition rate, and I could probably expect to find at least one bad or inferior in every box or two perhaps more in some cases. So I followed his advice. Here's what I found, and if I'm talking garbage please let me know so I can learn something :D

My Sax came with a Vandoren 2.5, which was my first ever reed, it wasn't bad and was pretty much as I remember when I last played, I bought a box of Rico Royal 2's at the same time as it was suggested I might want to start with 2's rather than a 2.5 for my first few weeks, the royals were easier to play but not a huge difference for me. I bought some Vadoren 2's and these were the nicest for me by far so far. After about a week of playing I decided to go and buy some Rico Jazz Select 2 (Med) I was told these were equivalent to a 2.5 (which confused me) and I bought a box of Alexander Superials 2.5 having heard one player in the store ask for "a box of the good stuff" :)

Alexander Superials for me were by far the easiest, most comfortable and vocal of all the reeds I played. If I had to put it into words I'd almost call it "buttery" :D my next favourites were Rico Jazz Select, they sounded really dark and played really easily, but not as easy as the superials. The others I would all class as similar, but these two for me stood out.

So that's my 2 cents. I'm happy to be put straight on anything I goofed on, because that's all a part of learning.

Happy New Year everyone!!

Cheers

T.