[Jmceachern36]

Has anyone tried out many of the Harry Hartmann reeds for bari? My quick story is I’ve been using Fibracell reeds but a couple went dead rather quickly. I bought a couple of replacements and they feel much different. Struggling a bit to play them. Fortunately I have 2 I like. I bought a Hartmann carbon medium and with my Metalite mouthpiece the reed sounds super bright and hard to control. I tried it with my HR Otto Link and it’s absolutely wonderful! It brightens up the Link nicely. Was hoping Hartmann makes something not so bright that I could use with the Metalite mouthpiece. Any thoughts? The classic and hemp versions look like they might be right but they could be bright to. Was hoping someone had first hand knowledge. Thanks.

 

[1saxman]

I'm playing a Hemp Medium on a Level Air 9*. I was previously using a Fibracell 3 on it which did very well. I had the Hemp laying around after it didn't work with the previous mouthpiece. I thought the Fibracell was a little 'dull'. The Hemp seemed bright at first but either it broke in or I got used to it. It still has lots of 'sizzle' on the high notes but has a good bottom end. A lot of it depends on the bari you have and its characteristics. Mine is a Kessler 'Solist' which is a B901 clone.
But on the Hemp, I like it so much I bought another one, being used to Fibracells having a shorter life span (don't anyone get the wrong idea, they still last ten times longer than cane), but I'm still on the original Hemp after a year. Of course I take it off the mouthpiece and put it in a Fibracell 'jewel box' with the silicone rubber 'button' in the top holding the reed flat, so its flat and fresh for the next gig. And I'll wash my synthetics in hydrogen peroxide every so often.

 

[B Flat]

I haven’t tried the Hartmann reeds but I am a fan of the Fibracell on Baritone, or at least I was until I started to get the delaminating thing happening.
Lately I’ve been using Forestone Black Bamboo reeds.
They are responding reasonably well after I flattened the bottom of them.
Legere Classic can also work well if you can find a size that suits you.
They feel extra hard to me and I’ve wasted enough money on them trying to find a size similar to Fibracell 3-3.5 that I’m done with them now.
I’m sticking with my Rico Royal 3.5’s and Forestone Black Bamboo for now.

 

[Jmceachern36]

I’m wondering if my problem with the fibracell reed is I like them after they’re broken in. I may throw caution to the wind and give the hemp med a try.

 

[guidocreo]

Usually I'm playing a Carbon Medium on a Jody Jazz DV 7* but sometimes I use Hemp and Carbon Classic; both are less bright than Carbon.

As 1saxman say the Hemp is a little too "sizzle".

Ciao

 

[Jmceachern36]

Is the carbon classic less bright than the hemp version?