[Mando]

On the good advice of this forum, I have ordered some reeds of a lesser strength than I have been using. I recently bought a used Yamaha yas23, and it came with a hefty number of #3 Rico unfiled reeds. So as a complete beginner, that’s what I’ve been playing with. I’ve ordered a small selection of # 1 1/2, 2, and 2 1/2 reeds, but thought I’d spend a bit more and get Rico Royal reeds. I see they are described as “filed.” I’m anxious to try them out, but wonder in advance what the difference is between “filed” and “unfiled”? Do I treat the filed reeds any differently than the unfiled ones? If I knew what I was doing (I don’t....), could I make my unfiled #3s into filed #3s? Anything specific I should know about the differences? Thanks for sharing your thoughts and your wisdom.

 

[J-Moen]

So unfilled is just a way the Reed is filed down at the factory. If you look at your unfilled reed you should see smooth cane up until the Reed core starts to be cut and slant down all the way to the tip.

On a filed reed, there will be a clear straight across line where the smoothed cane ends, and it will look more like the area that had been cut.

I'm not super sure firing has a distinctive effect on the sound of a reed, I believe it can make the Reed more absorbent, and maybe provides a slightly better ability to vibrate. However, marketing hype will probably say it makes it darker/brighter, freer, etc - I wouldn't buy into that much - just find Reed's you like and play them. I tried this with Vandoren Java (Green/unfilled and Red/filed). I liked the unfilled more in the long run - just found them easier to play personally.

As for making your reed's filed, I would just say don't. If you want filed reed's, buy them that way. Otherwise, stick with unfiled.

 

[1saxman]

'French file cut' provides a more lively reed. Unfiled reeds, all things being equal, tend to be less responsive. So depending on your mouthpiece and how you want to sound, you use filed or unfiled. If you play unfiled reeds and you have plenty of 'buzz' for your needs, you might find the filed reeds too buzzy. The area where the vamp meets the bark seems to be a 'sweet spot' for any kind of reed alteration which is why the 'French file cut' is situated there.
But generally, going from Rico to Royal you will find the Royal to be similar to the Rico but much higher quality in all respects, plus it has the file cut.

 

[wanderso]

If I knew what I was doing (I don't....)

Jay Metcalf's Bettersax.com "How to Choose the Right Saxophone Reed."

 

[Mando]

“But generally, going from Rico to Royal you will find the Royal to be similar to the Rico but much higher quality in all respects, plus it has the file cut.”

That’s the sole reason I ordered them instead of the regular Rico in lesser strengths. Only later did I realize the filed/unfiled issue. I’m sure looking forward to giving them a try.

 

[AddictedToSax]

As a beginner I don't think you're going to notice any difference between a filed and an unfiled reed. As someone who has played a long time on and off but never advanced beyond an intermediate skill level, I can't tell the difference. It's more important to find a reed you can play. Starting out on #3s is going to make you work way too hard and take the fun out of making music. Play the 1 1/2 reeds until they get to feel too soft, you'll know when, then step up to a 2 or 2 1/2. You don't want to work so hard that you tire out and can't blow anymore after 10 minutes.

 

[Mando]

wanderso. — great link! Thanks for pointing me there.

AddictedtoSax — “take the fun out of making music” — Not a chance! But if I have even more fun on a softer reed, it’s probably going to be illegal.....��

 

[Oric Muso]

I was told by a reed rep that there is no difference between filed and unfiled. Some people just prefer one over the other. In terms of the cut of the reed, it's the part in your mouth which is important. The other bit, less so.

 

[AddictedToSax]

wanderso. - great link! Thanks for pointing me there.

AddictedtoSax - "take the fun out of making music" - Not a chance! But if I have even more fun on a softer reed, it's probably going to be illegal.....��

:mrgreen::mrgreen::mrgreen:

 

[Mando]

AddictedtoSax — “take the fun out of making music” — Not a chance! But if I have even more fun on a softer reed, it’s probably going to be illegal.....��

Somebody call the cops! I'm having WAY too much fun on these softer reeds! I've been breaking in a 1 1/2, a 2, and a 2 1/2. I love the 1 1/2 and the 2, but the 2 1/2 seems like a lot of work. I've gotta wonder how I could have been having so much fun blowing 3s! (but I was....) Thanks for steering me in the right direction, everyone. .

 

[harmonizerNJ]

When I was first wrestling with learning how to play on my new RPC90R alto mouthpiece, over 10 years ago, I found there was a real difference for me in that the RJS 2M reeds were more playable for me on that mouthpiece if I used the filed reeds, and I have continued using them since then. So for me there was a real difference, but that was just my experience.

 

[skeller047]

Every reed brand is slightly different (some more than slightly), just find one that works for you and don’t worry about whether it’s filed or not.

FWIW, I’ve been playing for 60 years, and while I do notice differences between brands and styles, they aren’t due to whether they are filed. Java Red and Green are different cuts in the reed’s profile, so there is a difference. However, for me, D’Addario Jazz Select play exactly the same, filed or unfiled.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Hassles]

I was told by a reed rep that there is no difference between filed and unfiled. Some people just prefer one over the other. In terms of the cut of the reed, it's the part in your mouth which is important. The other bit, less so.

The bark area of a reeds outer surface can lack degrees of uniformity - the double-cut / or filed reeds have a portion of this surface material removed which makes it a tad more uniform behind the vamp and as stated above - can make the reed a little more lively / responsive etc. It doesn't make the reed superior, it just changes it character. You will learn to prefer one or the other in time.