[honkysax]

I hate to post a negative review, but just my experience and might help someone else
Received new Fibracell (Tenor 3 1/2) - I was afraid I might have ordered one a little too hard
But it played like a 1 1/2 or so (soft soft soft) - I guess Fibracell have gone down and no QC now
I think they used to be better
The good news I guess - they are cheaper than some other synthetics - think I just threw away about $15
I haven't had any luck with BARI brand synthetics either (haven't tried the new red reed - about $34)
LEGERE's are working for me, but more expensive

 

[10mfan]

You need to go heavy with the Fibracells now.

 

[B Flat]

You need to go heavy with the Fibracells now.

How heavy?
The last one I have left is size M.
And it's de-laminating as I write this.
If I want something close to Rico Royal 3 or 3.5 what should I order in Fibracell?.
I only use them on Baritone as the tenor reeds are too buzzy for my liking.

 

[10mfan]

I would try 4 and 4.5

 

[B Flat]

Thanks.

 

[1saxman]

The latest revision is called 'Premier' and is rated by the numerical scale instead of 'Soft', 'Medium', etc. They do run soft but can be okay for certain applications. The thing about the synthetics is it can be expensive and frustrating finding which one works for you but when you double, and cane reeds would dry out between uses, the synthetic reed can be the answer.
I used a '3' on baritone with a 9* Level Air for a few years and still use a '2' on alto - both are 'doubles' where the reed would dry out between 'pick-ups' so I had to find the synthetic reed that worked, and Fibracell did. I'm now using a Hartmann Fibereed 'Hemp' Medium on baritone but still use the Fibracell on alto.

 

[10mfan]

Order a couple heavy reeds and hopefully you will have one that plays great for you. I just ordered a 4 and a 4.5 for myself. They are not consistent, so when I order, I always order a couple in these sizes.
I look at it like this—-I order a couple of reeds and one always seems to be just right for me, and that will last me at least six months. For that price, I feel like it’s a steal. Think of how much money we have spent on cane reeds for six months of use. I also like the Hartmann.

I contacted Silverstein to see if they would send me a few reeds to check out and I will write a blog on my website about them.
If I do get some, I will let you know how those are for me.

 

[buddy lee]

The #3 I got last summer was pure garbage, felt thin as paper to play.

 

[10mfan]

Yes, if you normally play a 3 in cane, I would certainly recommend a 4 or 4.5 in the Fibracell.
They just run really soft nowadays.

 

[Sacks Of Phones]

Yes, if you normally play a 3 in cane, I would certainly recommend a 4 or 4.5 in the Fibracell.
They just run really soft nowadays.

Have they changed (on purpose)? I though the whole fiber reed thing was about consistency. :scratch:

 

[1saxman]

They have always run soft, but as I said, they did change their rating system from S, M, H, etc. to 1, 2, 3, etc. so there is no comparison possible between the two systems. I find them to be pretty consistently soft.

 

[10mfan]

Yep---
+1 to that.

 

[honkysax]

Thanks to all
LOL consistently soft - I guess that's better than downright inconsistent !!
I too thought the whole purpose of synthetics was consistency
Thx Mark, if I order again I'll go with your suggestions
Can you trim a Fibracell ?? I haven't had much luck trimming a Synthetic

 

[BarryIsaac]

I hate to post a negative review, but just my experience and might help someone else
Received new Fibracell (Tenor 3 1/2) - I was afraid I might have ordered one a little too hard
But it played like a 1 1/2 or so (soft soft soft) - I guess Fibracell have gone down and no QC now
I think they used to be better
The good news I guess - they are cheaper than some other synthetics - think I just threw away about $15
I haven't had any luck with BARI brand synthetics either (haven't tried the new red reed - about $34)
LEGERE's are working for me, but more expensive

I've found that currently sold Fibracells are not cut evenly. So yes, poor QC. I have a Perfecta-reed gauge, and one side is always measures thicker than the other. This being the case, they don't play optimally to begin with. After balancing, they are, of course, markedly softer. Moreover, my own experience is that they soften up within a couple of weeks of gigging, also. And they're difficult to clip when they get too soft. I have to use pliers to squeeze the clipper shut, and then there are all these little hairs at the tip that have to be trimmed off! So I mostly gave up on them (although I admit that I have a rare very good one I gigged with today on tenor!)

It's a pity they're so expensive, but I'm most happy on tenor with the Hartmann Carbon Fiberreeds. And they last and last.

 

[CashSax]

I wouldn't waste a dollar on a Fibracell..been there. Legs are iffy for me too. Hartmann's have become #1 in my book..they DO last, and BTW H's trim beautifully. Closest to real cane feel and tone..Good Luck:|

 

[GT]

Having played Fibracells for the last twenty years, this is a little distressing. I just got two 2.5's. One was too soft to play and the other was hard and stuffy. I'm thinking about working the hard one but I don't have a clipper to help the soft one.
Guess it's time to try a Harmann.

 

[B Flat]

Problem with trying Hartmann's is the cost if you don’t get it right the first time you order.

 

[SoulMate]

The only problem I have with Fibracells is that some of them delaminate over time.
But, to me, I prefer them in the whole group of synthetics. I haven’t tried Silverstein ALTA.
Légère is good, especially the signature. Still they don’t have the sound quality I get with Fibracells, although I know it’s a matter of taste.
The HH fiberreed is even more expensive (double the price of a Fibracell) and to me sounds good but is less controllable altissimo wise on tenor. On Soprano I find the HH fiberreeds uncontrollable. Intonation is all over the place except for the lower register. I don’t feel they “lock in”.

It would be nice to have a synthetic reed that combines al pros of the other synths.
Let’s hope the Silverstein ALTA or the new D’Addario Venn are some better innovations.

 

[B Flat]

I’d just like a synthetic that is somewhere near the strength they claim to be.
I like the Legere Classic but their strengths are all over the place.
Forestone Black Bamboo are ok also but they need a tonne of work to make them so.
I bought 5 of them in strengths of 2-3.5.
They all played like 4’s of any other brand.
The bottom side was nowhere near flat on any of them.
Once the bottoms are flattened they play quite well.
But I won’t be buying them again just so I can do the work that Forestone should have.
Fibracell are the only ones I’ve come close to liking, but if I have to buy one of each strength to find one that works, I’m out.
Looks like I’m back to the at least somewhat consistent Rico Royals.

 

[honkysax]

Thanks again to all It's all pretty discouraging (since we are all trying to break away from the bondage of cane)
I've found Legere Sigs to be very promising
I was going to ask someone if Hartmann Carbon (Tenor) played well in the altissimo but Soulmate says they don't for him
So, I may pass on the Hartmann Carbon
That leaves me these options I think: 1) Legere Sigs 2) Maybe try Plasticover again (with the new formula) 3) See what 10mfan says
about the Silverstein 4) I wasn't aware D'Addario has a new synthetic (Venn)
Thanks again