[Andrewplaysax]

So, I've done quite a bit of research recently on the newer American Cut Legere reeds. I play Classical Tenor and darker is always better in my eyes so I'm looking at purchasing the American cut to try out. My question is are the American cut reeds softer or harder than the Signature series? I see a lot of people buying 2's and 2.25's which seem extremely soft to me, do they naturally run very hard? Also, I'm currently playing signatures and my only gripe is the sound they produce is a little tingy or bright if that makes sense, do the American cut reeds sound closer to cane than the signature series? I love the durability and response from these reeds but the sound does suffer a little.

Thank you for all your help, Even though these reeds have been out for a while there still hard to find information on.

 

[Pete Thomas]

So Ive done quite a bit of research recently on the newer American Cut Legere reeds.

What kind of reserach? IMO the only reserach worth doing is to play them.

My question is are the American cut reeds softer or harder than the Signature series?

They are the same. In other words a sft one of either is soft, a hard one of either is hard. As you can but differentb strengths of them , it's up to you what strength you want.

I see a lot of people buying 2's and 2.25's which seem extremely soft to me, do they naturally run very hard?

I use 2.25 (of either) which isn't extremely soft. It is just comfortable and works well for me.

I would advise if you find them too soft, just get a harder one.

 

[rzzzzz]

not a question or answer, but observation that the new reed only comes in tenor and alto. have sopranos dropped off so much so soon? i know they were selling pretty well not so long ago. (and it seemed like you never saw a Hollywood rom-com from the '80's or '90's that didn't have a sop playing lead on the soundtrack.) oh well.

 

[Merlin]

I play Classical Tenor and darker is always better in my eyes so I'm looking at purchasing the American cut to try out. My question is are the American cut reeds softer or harder than the Signature series?

I doubt you'll like the new American cut. They're about the same resistance as the Signatures, but a bit freer blowing and brighter sounding.

 

[Merlin]

not a question or answer, but observation that the new reed only comes in tenor and alto. have sopranos dropped off so much so soon? i know they were selling pretty well not so long ago. (and it seemed like you never saw a Hollywood rom-com from the '80's or '90's that didn't have a sop playing lead on the soundtrack.) oh well.

Give them time. It's a lot of work to test and launch a new product. The alto and tenor Signatures came out before the soprano and bari, IIRC. These are going to be popular, and I'm sure they'll follow up with sop and bari.

 

[Canadiain]

From Legeres own site the American cut is described as brighter than the signature, which are themselves described as medium bright. The classic (of course) is the one they described as darkest. There is also a strength chart.

 

[Andrewplaysax]

From Legeres own site the American cut is described as brighter than the signature, which are themselves described as medium bright. The classic (of course) is the one they described as darkest. There is also a strength chart.
View attachment 4660 View attachment 4660

Thank you very much for the chart! I have no clue where you found it but ive been looking for one for a while.

 

[datsaxman]

Strength Charts

Premium Synthetic Woodwind Reeds

www.legere.com

 

[GHawk]

I don't find that there's much difference, if any, between the strength of the Signature and the AC. I had read that the AC was brighter than the Signature but I'm not sure that's the best description. I find the Signature to sound a bit "wetter" than the AC. I compare it to a Link vs. a Berg sound, the AC being "Bergish". I use 2.25's on my mouthpiece and they're very comfortable to blow (both reeds), and they give me great tone in throughout the range of the horm. I find that the AC is a bit easier on the extreme altissimo. The AC is just a bit more resistant, but not that bad, "blow your chops off" kind of resistance - just a little bit easier to control.

 

[Pete Thomas]

Just in case anyone is interested in comparing, I did a clip for the October TOTM. It was a bit of problem due to COVID attacking my breathing and not having played for several months, so I had to do it in two takes.

One half of it is using a Rico, the other half is a Legere America Cut - so does it sound like I suddenly switch from one reed to another during the take?

https://soundcloud.com/petethomasmusic%2Ftimes
(NB: I might not leave this on soundcloud for long as I'm not very happy with it, but may serve as comparison between the two reeds for those that are intersted.

 

[BrianMitchellBrody]

I just started playing on a 2.25 American cut after years of playing Studio and Signature and there is a huge difference between the three. I am playing the American Cut on a HR Berg and a Guardala Fat Boy, DGII Copy and a Vandoren T75 Metal and I must say that it is very ballsy sounding to me. It seems thicker in the middle and gives me more of an edge than the other type Legere's. I swear by Studio cut for traditional jazz but for R&B and Rock its a vast improvement. Easy altissimo, growling and flutter tounging etc...just sound stronger. The only thing I would change is the tip strength to a 2.5 or 2.75.

 

[Guto]

I agree with post #4. We had another thread comparing these here.
In summary, I find the AC quite brighter than the Signature and requiring the farthest from a cane reed embouchure IMO. Some of us found the AC about 1/4 point harder than the Signature.

 

[SaxBass55]

Relative to Pete's post #10, I don't hear a distinct change listening to the complete recording. Comparing time mark 0:21 to 2:02 did suggest a brighter sound in the former, and a bit darker and fuller in the latter. I'd guess the Legere was the brighter.

 

[BrianMitchellBrody]

I agree with post #4. We had another thread comparing these here.
In summary, I find the AC quite brighter than the Signature and requiring the farthest from a cane reed embouchure IMO. Some of us found the AC about 1/4 point harder than the Signature.

I didn't get the impression these were brighter. It just seems like all Legere's play on the bright spectrum for me.

 

[Guto]

I didn't get the impression these were brighter. It just seems like all Legere's play on the bright spectrum for me.

This makes me think how much does the mouthpiece impact how these two reed models compare to each other? I'd think that would be a big factor given how differently these reeds are cut.

My opinion on the 2 threads are based on playing them on a Link style mouthpiece.

 

[BrianMitchellBrody]

This makes me think how much does the mouthpiece impact how these two reed models compare to each other? I'd think that would be a big factor given how differently these reeds are cut.

My opinion on the 2 threads are based on playing them on a Link style mouthpiece.

I have the V16 T75 which is very much a link type piece and the American Cut sounds brighter than wood reeds for sure but I did not have the impression on that piece
that it was brighter than the Studio or Signature.

 

[Pete Thomas]

It just seems like all Legere's play on the bright spectrum for me.

Not the way it is for me. I just find the AC is maybe slightly more complex tone. You may think that means even more of a cane like sound than the Signature but no.
It may a may not be a good thing depending on what you want.

Disclosure: Legere endorsing artist.

 

[BrianMitchellBrody]

Not the way it is for me. I just find the AC is maybe slightly more complex tone. You may think that means even more of a cane like sound than the Signature but no.
It may a may not be a good thing depending on what you want.

Disclosure: Legere endorsing artist.

I guess I should have taken the time to validate my statement more. I think as is with all the Legere's I've played that the tone produced by the mouthpiece probably has more to do with the reed strength. I say that because with Signatures a 2.0, 2,25, 2.5 and a 3 get darker the stronger the reed strength just like a wood reed. My 2 cents.

 

[Pete Thomas]

I guess I should have taken the time to validate my statement more. I think as is with all the Legere's I've played that the tone produced by the mouthpiece probably has more to do with the reed strength. I say that because with Signatures a 2.0, 2,25, 2.5 and a 3 get darker the stronger the reed strength just like a wood reed. My 2 cents.

Fair enough, but I was comparing with all things being equal in that regard.

 

[BrianMitchellBrody]

Fair enough, but I was comparing with all things being equal in that regard.

That would be the best way to compare. Same horn, same ligature, same mouthpiece.