[motteatoj]

There have been a few recent threads regarding praise of Rigotti reeds and Boston Sax Shop reeds.
I wanted to revisit Roberto’s reeds.

All three reeds are produced by Rigotti, all different cuts.
After some very long trialing of all three (on tenor and alto), I have to say Roberto’s has risen to the top for me.
They are all great, and I did fall into the newness of the BSS reeds a bit but I keep coming back to Roberto’s.

I am a very wet player and have buzzing issues, which Roberto’s seem to deal with best (even with saxoclease’s tricks on the others).

Wondering others thoughts...

 

[buddy lee]

I’ve not tried Roberto’s how do you feel they compare? How are they strength-wise as well?

 

[motteatoj]

He breaks them up soft-med-strong for each number.
I use 2.5 med basically across.
I’d say a tad less dark vs BSS, not as bright as Rigotti good.
I was very unsure of them at first, across my saxes they were a great ‘second option’ but the more I was fighting this buzzing thing the less they were buzzy.

 

[buddy lee]

He breaks them up soft-med-strong for each number.
I use 2.5 med basically across.
I'd say a tad less dark vs BSS, not as bright as Rigotti good.
I was very unsure of them at first, across my saxes they were a great 'second option' but the more I was fighting this buzzing thing the less they were buzzy.

So then equivalent to Rigotti in strength? I find BSS to run .5 size harder than they're rated.

 

[swperry1]

So then equivalent to Rigotti in strength? I find BSS to run .5 size harder than they're rated.

Hmm...I play rigotti 3.5 Light or medium and was sent a box of BSS 3 and they were way softer than I would expect a 3 Rigotti would be. I'd order the same size or .5 up if I were to try another box.

 

[Saxaholic]

My BSS 2.5 and 3's were all over the place strength wise. I liked them when they were accurate strength wise...but they were super inconsistent. Others have said similar things, while some are saying they're very consistent, so who knows.

- Saxaholic

 

[whaler]

I have found that the BSS and Rigotti both grow mold at the the same rate.
I like both but I prefer the edginess of the Rigotti since I play a Link. They work really well together.

 

[jaysz]

I've tried both the BSS and Rigotti Gold

BSS

Reeds seem to be thicker than other reeds, not that they are really thick to the eye but I it was
very easy to discern vs my usual Rigotti when I started playing. The thing I don't like is that they
are very dark, like really good for a classical performance, too dark for me. I tried using both the
reed geek and burnishing them against some blank paper and while they brightened some they
still played too dark for my taste. I believe these reeds are pretty flat, when I use the reed geek on
them you barely get any dust at all.


Rigotti Gold

I have been using these reeds for 7-8 years I think, I have bought quite a few boxes and they are
fairly consistent. The quality out of the box is generally very good, although I use a reed geek on them
and just about every reed needs to be flattened a decent amount. A good bit brighter than the BSS
and for me it's a nice bright alto sound, I think the strong are generally better quality reeds and seem
to last a bit longer.

 

[jman1977]

I have found that the BSS and Rigotti both grow mold at the the same rate.
I like both but I prefer the edginess of the Rigotti since I play a Link. They work really well together.

Opposite for me. I use bright mouthpieces and have found that the BSS (as well as the RW's) are very nice counterbalances to temper the brightness a bit. I use Reedjuvinate... no mold issues for me.

 

[jaysz]

I have had exceptionally good service with the folks at the BSS shop, so I decided to give their reeds
another try, and it was very dark. Playing on my Lamberson FMaj7 with either a 110k VI or a custom z,
so I tried the Sonny Rollins trick, where you push the vamp just under the heart in a pretty good
amount. This breaks down and loosens some of the fibers in the cane, after I did this it really
brightened the reed up.

Practiced 3-4 hours on the reed and it fatigued my lower lip a bit, so I have concluded that it is too
strong of a reed for me. Which is strange since I play 3 strong on a Rigotti Gold and this is a 3, so
I may order a box of 2.5 and see how that works.

 

[LateNiteSax]

Several years back, someone gave me a few Robertos Winds tenor 2.5 mediums. I used them right out of the box with no adjusting on the Guardala MBll I had at the time and they were the best new/modern reeds I've ever had.

Normally I play on 30+ year old La Voz and Ricos.

 

[jman1977]

I've always advocated BSS reeds here... however, I'm not sure if their QC has started slipping since they started producing the reeds in great numbers. The first 2 boxes I had from them, all of the reeds were usable out of the box (some a tad stiffer than others, but not by much). These last 2 boxes however (both from the time they were still selling them in 5's), there have been at least 2 reeds that were just way too stiff (I've always ordered 2.5's from the time I first started buying these reeds), even after adjusting with Reedgeek. I expect that kind of thing with the cheaper reeds, but not with "boutique" ones that are significantly pricier compared to others.

I have a recent order of a box of 10. Hopefully those don't have the same problem. Otherwise, it's back to searching for me.

 

[Benjamin Allen]

I've always advocated BSS reeds here... however, I'm not sure if their QC has started slipping since they started producing the reeds in great numbers. The first 2 boxes I had from them, all of the reeds were usable out of the box (some a tad stiffer than others, but not by much). These last 2 boxes however (both from the time they were still selling them in 5's), there have been at least 2 reeds that were just way too stiff (I've always ordered 2.5's from the time I first started buying these reeds), even after adjusting with Reedgeek. I expect that kind of thing with the cheaper reeds, but not with "boutique" ones that are significantly pricier compared to others.

I have a recent order of a box of 10. Hopefully those don't have the same problem. Otherwise, it's back to searching for me.

I met Kritavi and then spent the afternoon today at the Boston Sax Shop with Jack trying different saxophones and discussing reeds, saxophone repair, and the like. You should email or call him if you feel you are having problems with your reeds. I know Jack is committed to his products and will help accommodate your concerns to the best of his ability. While I haven't had the same experience you've had (I find his reeds to be as consistent as any Rigotti product, but I have primarily used Vandoren reeds and find all of those to be playable within variances just like the Rigotti.) I have only recently begun playing BSS reeds, but I find them to be fantastic.

Jack only designed and ships the reeds. He is not in control of quality control unless you bring your concerns to his attention. If he is aware of your concern(s), then he can bring your concerns to Rigotti and have such addressed. He needs and welcomes your feedback. I'm not discounting your concerns, but Jack needs to know about them, and he's too busy to find out about them from SOTW.

 

[jman1977]

I met Kritavi and then spent the afternoon today at the Boston Sax Shop with Jack trying different saxophones and discussing reeds, saxophone repair, and the like. You should email or call him if you feel you are having problems with your reeds. I know Jack is committed to his products and will help accommodate your concerns to the best of his ability. While I haven't had the same experience you've had (I find his reeds to be as consistent as any Rigotti product, but I have primarily used Vandoren reeds and find all of those to be playable within variances just like the Rigotti.) I have only recently begun playing BSS reeds, but I find them to be fantastic.

Jack only designed and ships the reeds. He is not in control of quality control unless you bring your concerns to his attention. If he is aware of your concern(s), then he can bring your concerns to Rigotti and have such addressed. He needs and welcomes your feedback. I'm not discounting your concerns, but Jack needs to know about them, and he's too busy to find out about them from SOTW.

Of course I will communicate directly with him. But if you check the earlier posts here I was one of the posters in this thread (I was actually looking for the other thread where I had more posts about the BSS reeds -- all positive) so to me it's just a continuation of the thread. Others had similar issues as what I'm experiencing now which I disputed back then because every reed I've used until recently was terrific, so it's only fair that I now acknowledge my recent experiences.

On a related note, BSS reeds are more expensive than Rigotti or Vandoren reeds, so they should be more consistent, not as consistent, as other Rigotti or Vandoren reeds, otherwise there's no reason to be charging a premium over those other products.

 

[Benjamin Allen]

Of course I will communicate directly with him. But if you check the earlier posts here I was one of the posters in this thread (I was actually looking for the other thread where I had more posts about the BSS reeds -- all positive) so to me it's just a continuation of the thread. Others had similar issues as what I'm experiencing now which I disputed back then because every reed I've used until recently was terrific, so it's only fair that I now acknowledge my recent experiences.

On a related note, BSS reeds are more expensive than Rigotti or Vandoren reeds, so they should be more consistent, not as consistent, as other Rigotti or Vandoren reeds, otherwise there's no reason to be charging a premium over those other products.

Yes, I see your positive comments, and it's fair you acknowledge your concerns. Thanks for letting Jack know you're having problems and have concerns.

 

[jman1977]

I play mainly alto and primarily use Legeres on soprano, so those boxes of tenor and soprano reeds are still my from initial 2 purchases from BSS. However, as I indicated earlier I've already gone through 3 boxes of altos and am working on my 4th. That ten boxer I bought about 2 weeks ago.

So I do really like the BSS reeds and am hoping I don't have to go back to searching. I'll contact Jack on Monday to relay my concerns.

 

[motteatoj]

I see a bit of hardness inconsistency in Roberto’s as well, but can easily be remedied with a reed geek and a bit of break in.
I think it is just the nature of the beast.
To me, hardness factors do not equate to un-playability, vs. just a very badly cut reed.

 

[jman1977]

I see a bit of hardness inconsistency in Roberto';s as well, but can easily be remedied with a reed geek and a bit of break in.
I think it is just the nature of the beast.
To me, hardness factors do not equate to un-playability, vs. just a very badly cut reed.

So if that is "just the nature of the beast" and they are to be expected to have the same inconsistencies as other reeds, why should they have premium pricing compared to those other reeds (both RW and BSS are more expensive than other cane reeds, but the BSS is more expensive). One would expect in this instance that the reason they are more expensive is that they are consistently of better quality (quality includes consistency of the strength with the published numbers and consistency from reed to reed). Slight variations are acceptable (and unavoidable), but for some reeds to be completely off is not.

Haven';t touched my Roberto';s since I started using BSS as the BSS sounds a bit better to me. This gave me an idea to give those a try again this week.

 

[jman1977]

Check out a comparison of the three BSS reeds in the attached photos (you will see that I got frustrated with one of them after it kept playing stuffy even after almost 30 minutes of working and reworking with a Reed Geek). You will see that even just the bark/stock of the wrecked reed looks off compared to the others (looks "dirty"), and that's actually after I had filed off most of the roughness in the bark with with the Reed Geek (it actually had tiny bumps on it where the splotches are).

 

[motteatoj]

So if that is "just the nature of the beast" and they are to be expected to have the same inconsistencies as other reeds, why should they have premium pricing compared to those other reeds (both RW and BSS are more expensive than other cane reeds, but the BSS is more expensive). One would expect in this instance that the reason they are more expensive is that they are consistently of better quality (quality includes consistency of the strength with the published numbers and consistency from reed to reed). Slight variations are acceptable (and unavoidable), but for some reeds to be completely off is not.

Haven';t touched my Roberto';s since I started using BSS as the BSS sounds a bit better to me. This gave me an idea to give those a try again this week.

What warrants the higher price to me is two things...overall quality of cut (as stated above), tone, tone, tone, and, quite frankly how long they last and keep sounding good.