[patseguin]

I ordered a #3 and a #3-1/2 alto sax reeds. I tested out the #3 and it plays awful. Very stuffy and no liveliness to the sound at all. Is there a break-in period to these reeds? I'd heard nothing but good things about them.

 

[MM]

No break-in should be required. I have a couple which I would call very lively, a tenor 3 and an alto 3 1/2. The alto reed is too hard for my current mpcs but the tenor reed I sometimes use if I don't have a good cane reed or want the extra buzz.

In fact, the Hahn is the brightest, must lively synthetic reed I have tried. Do other synthetics work for you?

 

[mostly alto guy]

I've used Hahns in 2.5 and 3 on alto, tenor, and sop. They like certain mouthpieces, and properly matched can really blast. I'd never use them for ensemble work unless everyone had them, too.

 

[patseguin]

I use Fibracell, which play WAY easier. I'd heard Hahn were even better.

 

[soybean]

Gerald Allbright uses Hahn reeds on his tenor.

 

[saxdude48]

Are you sure about this?

 

[Jorns Bergenson]

Gerald Allbright uses Hahn reeds on his tenor.

His web site says he uses LaVoz on all his horns. http://www.geraldalbright.com/faq.htm

 

[soybean]

Are you sure about this?

Yes… at least he says he does. I met Gerald at the NAMM show on Jan 17. He was playing alto and tenor at the Cannonball booth. I asked him about his tenor set up. It was a Sugal mouthpiece with a Hahn reed. I asked him if he was just using it for the show, but he said that he used the Hahn reed for recording and touring. He prefers cane reeds on alto and soprano, but liked the Hahn for tenor. I asked him about fibracell and he says he likes those too. I can't remember what his alto mouthpiece was.

 

[thesaxguy]

Anybody out there play both Hahn and Fibracell ? I want to try the Hahn reeds, but don't know how they compare strength-wise to Fibracells. I play Fibracell Premier #2 on Alto and 3-1/2 on Tenor. Any idea what the Hahn equivalents would be ?? Thanks.

 

[tonfisch]

If #3 does not work go half a step down to #2,5. They are a bit harder than most other reeds-like Legere.I had to go down a whole step,than everything was ok

 

[Subbie]

I played a hahn many years ago. I then played some Fibracells. The hahn reed seemed pretty hard, but I wouldn't know how they were compared to each other, I changed too much and can't remember. Sorry.

Good luck and keep trying

 

[muman]

reeds for berg larsen piece

what reeds work well for a berg larsen metal mouthpiece 115/1

 

[DanF]

Anybody out there play both Hahn and Fibracell ? I want to try the Hahn reeds, but don't know how they compare strength-wise to Fibracells. I play Fibracell Premier #2 on Alto and 3-1/2 on Tenor. Any idea what the Hahn equivalents would be ?? Thanks.

I used to play Fibracell on both alto and tenor. I stopped using them when the "Premier" reeds came out. The Hahn reeds are much better than the new Fibracell. They play like the old Fibracells used to. The strength is slightly different. If you play a cane reed with a 2 1/2 strength then you would need a #3 Hahn.

 

[mellowmeyer]

I never noticed hahns playing "hard," but I did notice they puzzled me. On alto, I got a 3 and a 3 1/2, and the 3 seemed too soft...played bright as all get-out, which I can't stand...but the 3 1/2 played airy and stuffy. I agree that on tenor (a #3), it seems to be a better approximation, and it's nice and consistent (I could tongue lightly, quickly and quietly like it was nothing down to low B or so), but it's still too bright for me. It was cool playing quiet, but anything louder, I felt like a goose.

Has anyone played hahn and Legiere? I remember when I got the hahns...and I was toying between trying those or Legieres. I hadn't dared go near synthetics at all for ages since high school when I tried a Bari. Those are great for a joke on the band director...

 

[Heath Watts]

Anybody out there play both Hahn and Fibracell ? I want to try the Hahn reeds, but don't know how they compare strength-wise to Fibracells. I play Fibracell Premier #2 on Alto and 3-1/2 on Tenor. Any idea what the Hahn equivalents would be ?? Thanks.

I've played both Hahn and Fibracell on my soprano. I used 2s for both reeds and they were very close to the same hardness. I'm in a cane stage again...

 

[Jacques5646]

Ron Coelho mentioned to me a few days ago that Pete Christlieb was an enthusiastic user of Hahn reeds. I ordered one 2.5 and one 3 which arrived yesterday. First impression more than excellent: a bit brighter than the corresponding Fibracell; the 2.5 Hahn roars more evenly than the Fibracell from top to bottom (on a Morgan 7EL and a 10M); excellent subtones and clear high range. The difference between 2.5 and 3 is smaller than the corresponding difference between the 2.5 and 3 Fibracell: #3 Hahn closer to a 2.5 Fibracell.
Give them a try. I'm gonna order a spare 2.5...
Jacques

 

[MM]

Where do you get them? Sax Alley?

 

[Jacques5646]

MM,
No, from REEDS DIRECT, Cambridge, UK, www.reeds-direct.co.uk
Extremely fast shipment.
If you're in the middle range trip, buy a 2.5 and a 3 to compare.
Enjoy and keep swinging
Jacques

 

[mellowmeyer]

Does reeds direct ship outside the UK/change currency and such? Sax Alley claims to be the sole US distributor of Hahns, and from searches I've done it seems to be true.

 

[Jacques5646]

I frankly don't know. The do state they ship outside of EU (e.g. to Switzerland) and confirm this so
VAT will be deducted for orders outside the EU..

Check the price and give them a try.

J