[Joeywhat]

Looking for help in finding a good place to buy reeds in the Metro Detroit area. Most places have Rico Royal and Vandoren, that's about it. Don't want to order box quantities right now, just singles...would like to grab some Rigotti Golds for sure, and possibly some other options that I may not know about...

Anyone in the area know of a good shop?

 

[bandmommy]

Do you have the Detroit area Yellow Pages?
Also buying singles really isn't the best way to try reeds. You never know if the one you get is a 'good' one or a dud.
Get a box. Most times the shops charge more per single so your money ahead going the box route in the long run.

A few members are in the Detroit area. I'm sure one of them will chime in with the names of a few shops in the Metro area.

 

[Joeywhat]

Yes I realize I could be getting a bad one, I'm planning on at least two of each...in either event I don't have the money to be buying boxes of 3+ types of reeds, but I can afford 10-12 individuals.

I've been to most every music store in the Metro area (and beyond) and most have a rather poor selection of reeds. Hence my post here, hoping that those more in the know have a secret spot where a wide variety of product is kept in stock.

 

[bandmommy]

I think you'll find that the poor selection is the norm for most shops. Most teachers recommend Rico and Vandoren so that's what they carry. Sad, but they can't compete with the online prices of some of the more 'exotic' brands.
Places like WWBW and Weiner Music have pretty good deals when it comes to ordering by the box. In some cases the price is nearly half of what my local shops charge.

Either way I hope there is someone local that can help you out.

 

[saxmusicguy]

I think you'll find that the poor selection is the norm for most shops.

This is true of mouthpieces also.

 

[Black Obelisk]

There used to be a great store, years ago, on Gratoit, called "Detroit Wayne Music Store", the owner was a teacher, pro player & big bandleader for many years, he kept up on the latest saxophone equipment developments & gear and stocked alot of them. It was a great store, but alas, the guy died quite a few years ago, his wife kept it going for a few more years, but then it closed. Royal Music was also a very good store (originally started by Herb Couf), but alas, it is also now closed.

I don't live there anymore, but I think the only "specialty" store that is left & thriving is "Fluteworld", which, if you dont play flute, wont do you any good....

Hit the Internet. That seems your only option, these days

 

[JimW]

Royal Music Center may still be there - it shows on Google Maps at street level. Might be worth a phone call, although they may not have much in the way of reeds anymore. I'm not local to the Detroit area anymore, but have a clarinet I got there as a kid.

 

[joshredman]

You could try Meridian Winds in Okemos, MI, which is between Detroit and Lansing.

Josh Redman
Rico Reeds | D'Addario and Co.

 

[bandmommy]

Meridian Winds is far closer to Lansing than Detroit. It would be about a 1.5 hour drive depending on which part of Detroit the OP is coming from.

 

[Black Obelisk]

Dude, Royal Music has been closed for around 1 year or more.
I was MI visiting this summer & went to a party in Royal Oak, drove past the VACANT store on the way & lamented its passing to the rest of the people in the car.

 

[mhegerjr]

Have you tried Cameron's Music on Middlebelt in Livonia? They specialize in all things saxophone. If Ken Cameron doesn't have it, he can get it.