what reeds work well for a berg larsen metal mouthpiece

muman · 02-11-2008, 12:39 AM

what reeds work well for a berg larsen metal tenor sax mouthpiece 115/1?
It seems that my best reed so far is rico jazz select 2.0.
I always like to know that I can have a back-up brand if necessary.

zxcvbnm · 02-11-2008, 02:01 AM

Try some reeds out and see what works best for YOU.

McNeeseTenor · 02-11-2008, 02:03 AM

When I had a Berg I used Vandoren ZZ and V16 both worked very good.

**bari_sax_diva** · 02-11-2008, 02:30 AM

On my bari, synthetics actually work the best.

McNeeseTenor · 02-11-2008, 05:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bari_sax_diva

On my bari, synthetics actually work the best.

I noticed that on bari to, but I still prefer cane on tenor.

Grumps · 02-11-2008, 03:33 PM

If you're having trouble matching a reed to a Berg, it will probably be due to the need to find a reed as uneven and warped as the facing/table of the mouthpiece.

Alexk · 02-12-2008, 10:12 AM

Quote:

If you're having trouble matching a reed to a Berg, it will probably be due to the need to find a reed as uneven and warped as the facing/table of the mouthpiece.

And that folks, is advice as good as it gets. Some of these mpc's have "issues". My bari one does.

So I found a Lawton.

**JimD** · 02-12-2008, 11:08 AM

If your Berg is in good, or even decent, shape then any reed ought to have a chance. Rico seem to work the best but I've had good results with Alexander DCs and Gonzalez. I know good Bergs exist because I've got one but I also know plenty about bad Bergs exist because I've got one of those too. I was about to toss the bad Berg until I put an RSJ on it and it showed its potential which led me to think that either they are really designed with Ricos in mind or that Ricos are somehow more flexible and adaptable.

barker · 02-12-2008, 11:29 AM

I used a metal Berg on tenor for many years until recently. I used plain Rico reeds but later changed to Vandoren ZZ which seemed to add a little more character to the sound.

Sammy Selmer · 09-28-2009, 05:40 AM

I've had great success with LaVoz on my Berg.

kilter · 09-28-2009, 06:44 AM

I just use plain old orange box ricos on my metal berg. works great. I've found the mouthpiece to be pretty reed friendly.. you'll have to find whatever suits you best. for me cheapest = most suitable. (this approach doesn't always work though).

VintageSaxGuy · 09-28-2009, 06:45 AM

I actually like fibracell reeds for my vintage berg. I do second that there are good and bad among bergs...I too own an example of each!

**Michael Ward** · 09-28-2009, 09:38 AM

I use my regular plasticovers on my old 60's Berg 110/1/M. They play great but the piece isn't 110 it feels more like 100.

Sand3853 · 10-20-2009, 12:06 AM

For my Berg (alto) I use what works, which at the moment is V16 2.5's, ZZ 3's and Rico Jazz Select's 3M

When I played a Berg on tenor I found that the ZZ's gave me the best response and character of sound.

All in all, take some time, find what works for you and run with it.. I can't say I know of any "holy grail' of reeds (or anything for that matter)

saxmanjack · 10-20-2009, 01:06 AM

ZZ3.5 on my 110/2

Bonedaddy · 10-20-2009, 01:20 AM

I have recently acquired a vintage straight bill 115 0 sms Berg. So far, I have had the best luck with Rico Royal, Plasticover, and currently my fave is......believe it or not......................BARI Star H. The newer fibracells did not work as well with this particular piece. I haven't tried any but I suspect Vandoren Java Red would work well.