[honkysax]

Now that it seems to be the consensus that the VENN is a bust and disappointment, (going by reviews on SOTW)
I haven't tried it myself. I was going to ask if there was anything new (Synthetic) on the horizon and Legere has answered !!
The new American Cut - I will be waiting to try one - I play Tenor mostly. I hope it will be priced reasonably (I know, reasonable is different for each of us)
Supposed to be available in October
As a side note, and to further rag on Fibracel, I can't understand how any company that had a good thing going, would let the product go to hell -
with lack of QC or just lose interest ?? To make matters worse, players say when they contact Fibracel, they are rude, condescending, and completely unhelpful. Long known for being a weird company, I don't get it. But Legere and Fiberreed are trying to keep us in the game
Thanks

 

[Sax Panther]

I've been enjoying playing Legere signature on tenor for a while now. Was going to buy another one, bit will hold out to try this new cut.

I've found on Clarinet that the European cut is nicer than the signature, so looking forward to trying this American cut on sax.

 

[1saxman]

The Fibereed Carbon Onyx tenor was almost enough for me to use but not quite. I don't think its actually possible for me, at least on tenor. MAYBE I'll take a chance on the Legere 'American Cut' but I'm tired of buying synthetic reeds to put in the drawer and forget about.

 

[Benny]

I use Legere on all my clarinets, soprano and bari saxes. But the alto and tenor signature reeds are horrendous on the mouthpieces I play (Klums and Morgans). On some some setups they’re ok, not amazing though.
These new reeds just look like saxophone versions of the clarinet euro cut, which is promising.
It would be good to hear a sound sample other than a cheesy-arse smooth jazz guy with heaps of reverb. I’d like to hear some texture and detail in the sound before buying yet another $50 drawer filler

 

[Sonny S]

Interesting - just heard about them today from a newsletter sent by Twigg Musique in Montreal. They have photos and an audio sample of Gerald Albright on the alto version. https://www.twiggmusique.com/en/anche-saxophone-alto-american-cut.html

They're not even being shown on the Legere website yet. Hope they're easily available by October or sooner.

I only play synthetics - have tried almost all brands - and I'm pretty much stuck on only Legere Classic and Signatures. On tenor, I play rock and soul on a Theo Wanne 8 opened to .120" and by far the best match is Classic #1 3/4. They take about 8 - 10 hours of breaking in. The #2 strength in Classic is really too hard for this piece as they take weeks and weeks to soften up enough. Well, now that they've discontinued the 1/4 sizes in Classic, (why do they kill the one good product that works for me??:Rant the only choice I have is The Sig at #2 1/4. Meh... Too thin sounding and harder to control. The Classics also last a lot longer.

I've begged the staff at Legere to make small batch special request strengths like Harry Hartmann does. No luck. Jeez - I'm down to my last few #1 3/4 Classics.

I have huge hopes for this new American Cut. For players who like open mouthpieces with relatively soft synthetic reed sizes, there ain't a lot of choices. Make my day, Guy.

 

[condealisson]

Good news, however the last Legeres I have purchased splited in the middle of the tip, alto, tenor and soprano, two of a tenorist friend too, I switched to Fibrerreed Onyx now and a new Brazilian made synthetic called Plastireed, and it surprised me, really a good reed...

 

[LostConn]

They're not even being shown on the Legere website yet.

Yes they are, at least the website that I can access. https://www.legere.com/american-cut/?mc_cid=d3c32f11a7&mc_eid=8fe8dca9fb

I give some credit to Legere for ensuring that the strength ratings for the new American Cut for alto and tenor are the same as those for the Signature for alto and tenor (except that the American Cut also has some extra-soft versions available). For once, a player doesn't have to guess and/or "translate" when moving from one Legere model to another.

 

[LostConn]

As a side note, and to further rag on Fibracel, I can't understand how any company that had a good thing going, would let the product go to hell - with lack of QC or just lose interest ??

Fibracell is pretty much useless as a company, whether you happen to like the Fibracell reed or not. They have exactly one product -- haven't made any changes to it in about 20 years (and at the time, many players thought the changes were for the worse, not the better); haven't introduced a truly new product in about 25 or more years; have nothing new in development as far as anyone knows. Even the miserable company website hasn't been updated since April of 2014. Their staff consists of what -- one old guy whittling synthetic reeds in his attic?

 

[LostConn]

These new reeds just look like saxophone versions of the clarinet euro cut, which is promising.

Legere had said that it was developing a saxophone version of the clarinet European Cut Signature. They company stated that in its blog, and also right here on SOTW. https://forum.saxontheweb.net/showthread.php?292322-Legere-European-Cut-Signature-for-saxophones. But then ... crickets for a couple of years. But I guess it's finally out now, only with "European" changed to "American" for marketing reasons.

I will try this model even though Legere is pushing it as a jazz reed. If it has the same advantage in responsiveness over the saxophone Signature, especially in the upper register, that the clarinet Euro Cut Signature has over the standard clarinet Signature, it could be excellent. Also, despite the labels Legere is currently applying, during early testing of the new reed, Legere said this: "It seems to skew slightly darker than the Signature Series for new sound profile altogether."

 

[joebas]

According to Legere the new American cut reeds will have thinner edges allowing free vibration. Does this mean the thickness of the reed varies across the front?

 

[Sonny S]

Yes they are, at least the website that I can access. https://www.legere.com/american-cut/?mc_cid=d3c32f11a7&mc_eid=8fe8dca9fb

I give some credit to Legere for ensuring that the strength ratings for the new American Cut for alto and tenor are the same as those for the Signature for alto and tenor (except that the American Cut also has some extra-soft versions available). For once, a player doesn't have to guess and/or "translate" when moving from one Legere model to another.

Hi Lost - Dang! - the standard Canadian website doesn't show 'em as of 5 minutes ago - nor the new strength chart. And there's no (obvious) indication on how to get to the USA site. I just checked the link you included, and yes I can access it. I think you're going get a shot a these first. Legere is a good Canadian company but you'd think we get some timely notice up here in the great White North.

Be well.

SS

 

[Maddcow]

As a side note, and to further rag on Fibracel, I can't understand how any company that had a good thing going, would let the product go to hell -
with lack of QC or just lose interest ?? To make matters worse, players say when they contact Fibracel, they are rude, condescending, and completely unhelpful.

Absolutely! I've used Fibracell reeds for over a decade and found a couple of years ago that they were delaminating after only one gig. I contacted Fibracell's customer support and was told by the VP of customer relations that drinking alcohol causes delamination; I replied and told the rep that I NEVER drink alcohol at gigs...I rarely drink alcohol at all! The rep's final reply was that NO-ONE else had reported this issue and that the delamination has nothing to do with the reeds. I was gobsmacked.

 

[honkysax]

BTW I contacted Legere about the Sigs being seemingly quite a bit harder than say "standard" Rico or Rigotti cane strengths
They responded and said American Cut will be somewhat softer than Signature and a 2 3/4 strength Legere will be more comparable
to a Rigotti 3M or Rico 3. Maybe the strength charts will show this, as I would like to avoid Exchange if possible. We'll see

 

[soybean]

…I can't understand how any company that had a good thing going, would let the product go to hell -…

I ask myself the same question about Berg Larsen.

 

[soybean]

Here's the Gerald Albright demo and it sounds really good.

 

[Guto]

Now, that’s some exciting news! I’m a big fan of the Legere Signature. Looking forward to trying the new American Cut.
Thanks for the heads up!

 

[honkysax]

I ask myself the same question about Berg Larsen.

Yes I feel like Berg Larsen would be pretty much ashamed to have his name associated with the pieces these days -
as well as Elmer Beechler and Claude Lakey with their companies - as well as others
As far as the American Cut Legere, I hope it won't be $50 !! $30 is about all I would be willing to go

 

[Guto]

Hope you’re right. I don’t see any reason they should charge any more then what they price their current models at, between $20 and $30.

 

[andre251]

This looks and sounds interesting!

 

[Benny]

Here's the Gerald Albright demo and it sounds really good.

you can't hear the sound of the reed though. It's mixed beyond recognition, the reverb will hide anything un-savoury.