[farmer mike]

Maybe go in with 3-4 other players each buy 2 different 10 packs and divy them up. As stated before, 3 packs on EBAY, or buy 10 packs on Ebay/ Amazon and resell/gift those that dont work for you to friends. There may be some good deals of partial packs if you look had enough. I think some of the newer synthetic reeds offer testing options sending 3-4 different strengths to evaluat then return the ones that dont work.

 

[farmer mike]

1 Agree with 3 packs on EBAY or partial packs or open box, some good deals.
2. Offer to purchase a single reeds from other players.
3. Form a buying club with a few other sax players each buy 2 boxes of 10 and divy up 10 boxes X 10 reeds = 100 reeds each gets 2 of each 10 ct box.
4. Synthetic Reeds might be offered as a sample group send back the ones you dont like.

 

[DavisConnArtist]

I am reminded of the light bulb joke: How many sax players does it take to change a light bulb?
Answer: Just one, but he has to go through 6 boxes of light bulbs to find a good one.

 

[mguevrem]

If you call some small boutique reed makers, some will agree to sell you a custom sample pack. I have had good luck with Roberto Winds and Boston Sax Shop and have been their client ever since.

 

[cpacitti46]

This might not be practical for too many people but if you could get 3 or more Sax players who want to sample various reeds, each person could buy a different strength/brand and give the others a couple of what they bought.

 

[B Flat]

The idea of sample packs is great in theory, but not reliable as to how a certain brand or type of reed will play.
A box of any given brand/type of reeds may likely have 2-3 different hardnesses and some will play way better or worse than others.
Many brands will have a three pack or similar that will give a better idea as to their suitability.

 

[plbgbiz]

I am reminded of the light bulb joke: How many sax players does it take to change a light bulb?
Answer: Just one, but he has to go through 6 boxes of light bulbs to find a good one.

The quote worth re-quoting ^^^

And this is why I still maintain that even though the price is up a bit, a $40 Tenor Fiberreed may be the least expensive reed on the planet.

 

[JL]

The idea of sample packs is great in theory, but not reliable as to how a certain brand or type of reed will play.
A box of any given brand/type of reeds may likely have 2-3 different hardnesses and some will play way better or worse than others.

This ^^^^^
Exactly right and while this has been pointed out numerous times on here, we will keep getting the question about sampling a single reed. It just won't work that way. The very minimum would be a 3-pack, if you can find one. Otherwise, there's just no getting around the fact that you need a box of 5 or 10 reeds for a true sampling. First step is to find the size range that suits you, then try various brands. Hopefully you won't have to fish around with too many brands to find one that you like.