[Rickster]

This is my first synthetic experience. I have been playing a legere Studio on my alto for about 4 months. Something sounded a little wierd at the jam last night. Could have been my horn, but it felt like a reed thing. Do they wear out like a cane reed? What has been your experience?
thanks in advance

 

[Andrewplaysax]

I have been playing on a legere signature for 7 months now and it still plays like new! I think it really comes down to how you care for it.

 

[Jazz Is All]

Years if you don't play it all the time. But they do get soft, usually around the edges of the tip, and then start to wonk out on you. I like the way they sound it's just that as I have gotten older something has changed in the sensations that my lower lip feels and I find them too flat and uncomfortable. I prefer a rougher surface against my lip now, like cane or a synthetic that is not so plasticcy feeling.

 

[Taragot]

I play for years now on my soprano signature. First it was a little hard, no it's a little soft - but plays great.

 

[Jazz Is All]

Yep, like I said, Years. And all that for 24.50€. That's a bargain IMO when you consider that for just about the same amount all you'll get in cane is 5 reeds. Not all of those will play decently to begin with, or at all, and then they can break and wear out just by being fiddled with and looked at before actually being played to death. It's just too bad that I no longer find them comfortable to play. Old age is a big PITL.....pain in the lip.

 

[Fader]

The world may never know...

 

[Fader]

Joking aside - I find they do get softer over time. I get 3-5 months out of one - When my altissimo gets squirrely, it's time to toss it and move on. The first thing I notice with the new one is that's definitely a bit stiffer.

 

[JL]

This is my first synthetic experience. I have been playing a legere Studio on my alto for about 4 months. Something sounded a little wierd at the jam last night. Could have been my horn, but it felt like a reed thing. Do they wear out like a cane reed? What has been your experience?

My experience was at first I thought the Legere (signature) was great. But then after playing it on a couple of gigs, something did sound a bit weird, and it wasn't that the reed had worn out. I just realized that for me, it didn't have the tonal 'flexibility' of a good cane reed. So I went back to cane.

I only mention this, because what you are experiencing may be similar and have nothing to do with the reed wearing out. Then again, after 4 months of daily playing (assuming you've been playing it a considerable amount), it certainly could be wearing out.

 

[soybean]

For me they last about 26 seconds before being tossed in the trash. ;-)

 

[Jazzoetry]

My reed guards keep my Legere Signature Reeds playing consistantly. After playing they get cleaned and cool down in my (flat metal) LaVoz Reedguard to maintain perfect shape and strength.

 

[hakukani]

I think how long they last is a function of how hard you blow, what strength you use, and how open the mouthpiece tip is.

I think they will wear fast if you blow hard , a hard legere will last longer than a soft one, and the more open the mouthpiece, the more the reed has to bend to close off the mouthpiece, and will wear faster.

My experience is they last about four times longer than a cane reed.

 

[LostConn]

I think they will wear fast if you blow hard , a hard legere will last longer than a soft one, and the more open the mouthpiece, the more the reed has to bend to close off the mouthpiece, and will wear faster.

I agree with all these factors, which I think apply to cane reeds too.

 

[marton]

I've started a stockpile of synthetic reeds. When the apocalypse hits I'll be just fine.

 

[Sonso]

I have both Studio and Signature reeds that have lasted years. Yes, they do get marginally softer over time, but the are remarkably consistent.

 

[slisbin]

This is slightly off topic but I play fiberreed for about 2 years now. I rotate them (I have 3) and haven't they're still all good.

Fwiw, I have a Legere Signature that I haven't used for more than 10 minutes. Really don't like them. Amazing how personal this stuff is.

 

[Jazz Is All]

I have both Studio and Signature reeds that have lasted years. Yes, they do get marginally softer over time, but the are remarkably consistent.

And when they go too soft to play the baritone ones, at least, make good spreaders for soft cheeses and Nutella.

This is slightly off topic but I play fiberreed for about 2 years now. I rotate them (I have 3) and haven't they're still all good.

Fwiw, I have a Legere Signature that I haven't used for more than 10 minutes. Really don't like them. Amazing how personal this stuff is.

If you are talking about Hahn Fiberreeds they do last a long time. I have two and I think they must be made of steel because they are like the energizer bunny. The Legere by contrast can get soft at the tip, especially at the corner edges of the tip. It's downhill from there.

 

[Mezzzz]

I play the Legere Signature for Alto, Tenor and Soprano and they last if you take care of them. My Alto reed is going over two years and still plays great. And i play a lot nearly every day. Remember to clean them often along with mouthpiece. Once clean put them in a guard. Treat them like gold and they will be kind to you. Good luck!

 

[marton]

This is also slightly off topic...didn't want to start a new thread. Anyway, my Tone Edge 6 arrived today and paired with a Legere Classic 1.75 and my YTS 62 III - match made in heaven. I could wax lyrical but for brevity's sake, 'nuff said.

 

[hdemet]

This is my first synthetic experience. I have been playing a legere Studio on my alto for about 4 months. Something sounded a little wierd at the jam last night. Could have been my horn, but it felt like a reed thing. Do they wear out like a cane reed? What has been your experience?
thanks in advance

I play a tenor Signature series Legere 2.5

They are a bit stiff for the first few days and then soften up to being just right.

However after that they last for around 8 or so weeks before becoming too soft for me although they still sound OK.

So basically I change them every 2 months or so which equates to around 150 hours of playing time

Sometimes I see some striations or cracks developing from the tip too so would change them at that point especially if I see them growing

Aside from that I have only ever had 1 bad one which I returned and had replaced but have also noticed that there is some variation in inter new reed hardness but nothing that has caused me too much interference

Someone told me you can rejuvenate them by sticking them in your freezer for a minute but personally ant be bothered and just prefer to break in a new one

Just find them so much more convenient than cane and the sound generated is fine for a player of my limited ability and they certainly dont stop me from developing

 

[Rickster]

I replaced the reed and things sound and feel normal again. I probably should have done this months ago. Thank you for your generous input.

Keep on swingin'