[DryMartini]

I recently switched to playing mostly tenor from alto (NY Meyer 6). My tenor piece is the RR super d 7. Orange box reeds were too bright and buzzy. When I tried a Vandoren ZZs in 3 my sound got less bright and normalized so to speak.

I'lll be ordering a few boxes including one of 3 ZZ's. Can anyone else make a suggestion that will be along similar lines and darken up my sound a bit.

Thanks

 

[Charlie J]

I recently switched to playing mostly tenor from alto (NY Meyer 6). My tenor piece is the RR super d 7. Orange box reeds were too bright and buzzy. When I tried a Vandoren ZZs in 3 my sound got less bright and normalized so to speak.

I'lll be ordering a few boxes including one of 3 ZZ's. Can anyone else make a suggestion that will be along similar lines and darken up my sound a bit.

I've had good luck with Gonzalez and they seem very consistent.
Have you tried changing your mpc?

 

[swperry1]

We all blow differently. We all take in different amounts of mouthpiece. We all have different reed preparation methods. We all really need to try the reeds ourselves because even more so than with horns and mouthpieces, the experience is unique.

 

[DryMartini]

Thanks for the advice. I'll try gonzalez and I think I'll go with Alexander DC too (are those similar to blue box?

 

[limpan2]

Thanks for the advice. I'll try gonzalez and I think I'll go with Alexander DC too (are those similar to blue box?

The Alexander Ny is darker than the DCs. I played Alexander reeds a couple of years ago and I liked both the DC and the NY but for me the NY was a lot better, much quicker respons and more full sounding with more volume but still a dark Reed (darker then DC).

When they released the NY almost all Alexander artists, Joshua, Lovano and so on switched from the DCs to NY.

Of course it's personal but if you like DC I think you will like the NY to.

 

[click]

Like you, I recently switched from playing mostly tenor to playing alto. (I was forced to do this for health reasons)

I play a Chu Berry with a Ponzol .076 (not far from your own mpc choice in tip, baffle, and chamber shape, I think).

Natural reeds proved so uneven that I decided to move to artificial.

My thinking was, "Better to have a sturdy platform. Two solid feet on the ground. Learn to use it. Shape the sound from a reliable basis. That way I know what will happen."

That is what I did. I now play several different artificial reeds, choosing among them depending upon the music.

I found the Legere line first, and still use it most.

Good luck in your reed hunt.

 

[Scotssax]

I've been playing D'addario Select Jazz 3M unfiled on my Super D Florida 7*. First time I've ever needed to go up to that strength of reed on any mouthpiece.

 

[condealisson]

+1 for D'addario Select Jazz.

 

[TomOhio]

You might like AW reeds if you want to darken your sound. They make a classical and jazz cut. I’ve been playing the jazz version on tenor recently, and they’re on the darker end of the spectrum for me.

 

[DryMartini]

Thanks for the suggestions:
ordered
zz's
gonzalez
and
Alexander NYs

Also- I only have orange box now. but by chance I decdided to soak them butt facing down, in water and that has helped a lot. More resonance through the horn. Makes it feel like the whole horn is vibrating more. Makes me think the water made the reed seal better. who knows. Just a remeinder that soaking your reeds can help. I had forgotten to soak them as I didn't notice as much a difference when using a hard rubber mouthpiece. In my experience metal plays better with soaked reeds. Also the palm key notes are more full and in tune.

Still can't wait for my new reeds. Thanks again.