Fibracell ... Rico Plasticover...

[sassofonu]

Hello all,

I use Rico Plasticover 2.5 together with a Vandoren Metal mouthpiece V16 (T45).

I wonder if it's worth the expense trying out Fibracells instead? I would have to mail order as I don't find these here.

I am looking for a soft, sub-tone sound - maybe you might suggest me an alternative mouthpiece+reed combination?

Thanks and sorry if this is a dumb question... :D

[sassofonu]

Can you at least tell me if this is a good combination for a beginner saxophonist? (Vandoren T45 + Rico Plasticover 2.5)

Thanks

:)

[Baje]

I'm not familiar with the T45 so can't comment on that. Usually hear good things about Vandoren mpcs.

I used Plasticovers for some time but got a few which weren't responding. Have switched to Fibracells for tenor and soprano and so far they work for me. Not as good as a really good cane reed but it's a lot less hassle to find one that plays well.

I got mine from Paul Coats whose address should be somewhere around. He also advises on mouthpieces.

[Canadiain]

Alto? Tenor?

Almost anything will sound softer than a Plasticover.

Its $20 expense max, drop the dime and see if it works! For a synthetic you might consider a Legere, at least then if you get the wrong strength you can send it back and exchange for a different one at minimal cost.

I use plasticovers and legere studiocuts on Alto, the legere is a little less bright. (Bellite or Selmer Metal mouthpiece), and am still playing around on Tenor to find the best thing for me.

[sassofonu]

Sorry - forgot to note down that I'm using a tenor sax.

[Kessler Custom Tenor]

[sirtim]

I just start learning sax on my own about a month and experienced lots challenges, from embouchure, tones, and reed issue. I use this forum religiously to help me find solutions. Learn saxophone on my own is enough of a challenge; I experience a terrible inconsistence with my Rico reeds. I bought a box of 10 Rico #2 reeds and haven’t got much success out of it out of the first five reeds. I spent a lot of time messing with reeds which really cut down my practice time. I decided to try out the Fibracell #2 synthetic reed after lots of readings on this forum. My experience with the Fibracell is outstanding. The tone is full and vibrant. Personally, I think it’s an excellent choice for beginner like me. I don’t have to concern about cane reeds related issues such as testing, wetting, and other quality and focus to my lessons. I can just pick up the sax and start playing. I may go back to using cane reeds after I advance in my playing skill, but Fibracell is my choice for now.

I haven't try out the Plasticover, so I can't make the comparsion.

[Russ]

I've played Vandoren ZZ's for years, but thought I'd give the Plasticovers a whirl.

On Tenor, I'm using an Arb Custom 7 with Plasticover 4's. Needless to say, the ZZ's are in the drawer not being used.
The Arb is a very bright piece, but the Plastcover's take that edge off, so I get the soft subtone when playing laid back stuff, and the brightness when pushed.

[olhonker]

I have found that after many years of going crazy with reeds, rico Plasticover iss the best !! I use a Brillhart 4 and Plasticover#2 Tenors. I have full easy range from high to low.. I have found them much harder in strength that their numbers indicate. I think a #2 is like anything else in a 3. Good luck Olhonker

[LANDRUSAX]

I thought I'd try out some sythetic reeds last week because I've heard so much about them lately. I tried the Fibracell and the Legere. I must say they sound half way decent, but nothing close to a cane reed. I would NEVER consider using one on a gig-any gig.

[jd]

i also have a t45 metal and use fibracells on them. after using fibracells i would never go back to cane. the fibracells soft work great for me. they are a little harder than cane soft reeds but they last a long long time. ive played thousands of gigs using fibracells. when i go back to plasticovers they usually dont work that great for me. might find a player out of a box of 10 but then they only last a short time without going bad. my 2 cents

[hgiles]

I've tried FIBRACELLS and they're a pretty good. You could buy 10 cane reeds and find maybe 2 that are better than the Fibracell. The MEDIUM Fibracell tends to be a bit edgy and the tone isn't quite as good as good cane, but in a pinch will work consistently well.

If I am short on good cane I will use a FIBRACELL, but cane is still my first choice.

[LisaSimpsonWannabe]

I'm a beginner on Alto and purchase a med-soft Fibracell reed for my 4C Yam Mouthpiece. I have to say, the difference between the #2 Orange Rico's and the synthetic is amazing!!!!

I no longer sound like a kazoo (as previously posted), I don't get random ridiculous squeaks, I can play for longer, and I feel I can really work on building my embouchure without having to compensate for gammy reeds!!!

In one session on the synthetic I progressed more than in the previous week on the natural reeds.... wahey!!!!!!

[SaxPower]

Hi !

I did the test with my old 4C mpc on alto with a MS Fibracell ... way to edgy ... hard to control. Using for backup though. Plasticovers sound more like cane on the 4C.

[Jolle]

stepped from fibracell to normal reeds two years ago. Never been back ever since.

[SaxPower]

Are Fibracells constent ? I mean when you buy two reeds ... do they act the same way or its the same game as cane reeds or plasticover ? I like the Fibracell I have (got used to it) but I want the future ones to be the same :)

thanks

[Doghouse Riley]

I use both Rico plasticover 2.5s and Rico Jazz select 3s.

I get a much harder sound with the plasticovers, they are brilliant straight out of the box, but they seem to go downhill after a few sessions as parts the "cover" wears off, which does after a while I find, where my lip presses against the reed.
I also find that bits of the plastic come off the reed and stick to the table of my metal Link, if I pull the reed off when dry. So I try to remember not to do that.
The Jazz selects give a much more softer and more mellow sound.

[xuanvu]

The new Fibracells are GREAT, really great! The "medium" that I've tried long time ago wasn't that good... Lately, I've been using a Vandoren #2.5 with the JJ DV alto piece, and upon a recommendation from a member here, I tried a 2.5 Fibracell from FibracellDirect.com and instantly ordered 5 more... They ALL played the same, in a good way.