[Wailin']

What has been your experience with Rico jazz select reeds? What is the difference between the filed and unfiled in terms of tone, response, durability and longevity?

 

[Wailin']

I've never tried the Alexanders superials, DC's or classiques. Thing is local stores don't sell them.

If Rico selects are doin' it for me should which size is comparable to the Rico select 3 filed soft? Some reed charts on the net do lie!! One webpage claimed that Alexander ran close behind Select. What are your thoughts? I'm always experimenting for the "ideal setup".

My mouthpiece is Guardala MB, very open so the soft reed tends to fit it.

 

[Wailin']

Dogpants, At the end of the day it's about finding the shoe that fits each player's individual "feet".

I take it you play on a closed mpc?

 

[Wailin']

DogPants, I think your problem (at least one of them) was that you used the unfiled reeds. In my opinion the filed ones are the ones to use. I just like the sound better, and I think they are less stuffy.

Martin, I wholeheartedly agree!

 

[Wailin']

There was a thread a monthish ago about the difference between filed and unfiled - might be worth a search to find it if you're interested.

Check these out. It becomes a very subjective issue. Gray area topic.

http://www.saxontheweb.net/vbulletin...=filed+unfiled

http://www.saxontheweb.net/vbulletin...=filed+unfiled

http://www.saxontheweb.net/vbulletin...=filed+unfiled

 

[Wailin']

Has anyone gone through the hassle of ordering reeds online?

Do they come intact without cracked tips etc? If so, which site offers best prices?


By the the rumor may pertain to the fact that Rico's putting out something new. The new box reads that Rico Jazz Select has a new reed holder. I'm not sure if the reed is new but the former black writing on the reed's is now a brown color.

 

[Wailin']

Yea Rick. It's like sanding a reed's vamp to one's suit one's personal feel!

My next question is this before I go out and spend money for the next RJS strength higher.

Is the 3M filed harder to play than the 3S filed. Currently, I'm ok with 3S but sometimes they tend to feel and little soft.

 

[Wailin']

It's been years since I last played RJS but I remeber thinking they were pretty good.

How do they compare to LaVoz - edgier and brighter, or darker and more lush?

They're more manageable, maintaining a big sound, brighter, more edge. They come filed and unfiled.

 

[Wailin']

Funny, I've just gone in the other direction from 3S to 2H because my new mouthpiece had a chamber the size of a football stadium and hence takes a lot more chops than my previous piece. I'm hoping to get back up to the 3S soon though, because I can feel the thinner reed bowing inwards as I blow and it doesn't feel right at all like that, plus I'm pretty sure the tone will be more what I'm after.

Actually let me just check... yes I have a couple of unused 3M filed reeds still in the box from a while back when I used piece with a smaller tip opening. I'd like to keep one just in case, but I'll happily post you the other one if you want it, then you can try for yourself without spending anything.

Rick, I sent you an email about the reeds. Sometimes my RJS 3S tends to close meaning that that size may be a wee bit too soft. If the 3M is too hard then I'll have to lessen my emboucher bite.

 

[Wailin']

Due to the inconsistency of the reeds in both the filed and unfiled boxes there is no discernible differences between them. That is the conclusion after trying RJS 3S filed and RJS 3S unfiled. One reed played straight from the box while the others needed work.

 

[Wailin']

Did you get the reeds I sent you? Were they any good to you?

Yes Rick. Thanks a million. I'll stick to the softs. The 3M sound like La Voz which require waaay too much work for me.

 

[Wailin']

I've compared RJS Filed to Unfiled, and the Unfiled just doesn't work on BOTH of my mouthpieces - I'm playing Lebayle 8 LR and Dave Guardala MB II on my T991; Unfiled reeds of every kind including LaVoz, Rico orange box, Vandorens Java/V16/ZZ sound awful - thin & bright upper register, and stuffy, dark & what's really bad almost unplayable low register. I've been trying various brands and numbers since I can't buy Alexanders D.C. What's strange, I hadn't troubles on my previous mouthpiece (vintage Ponzol 105). Does anybody here had problems like that?

Benon, only thing is that RJS die quickly. La Voz last longer and will play well if they're filed. Hopefully they'll make filed La Voz reeds soon.