[silverstuff]

im a big fan of selmer mouthpieces(especially for classical). lately iv been really upset with how much vandoren is ripping me off with their 1/10 playable reeds. Iv now changed to alexanders, which to me fit vandoren mouthpieces(the tip matching the reed tip) even better than vandoren reeds. However, i find that most non vandoren reeds dont match selmer tips. The edge of the reed flares out, and i get this really solid(in an annoying way) buzzy sound. i was wondering, does lowering the reed to get rid of the flare matter if the tip of the reed and mouthpiece do not meet up?

i currently play an s90

 

[Dave Dolson]

I have a Selmer mouthpiece where the tip doesn't match most reeds (a modern Soloist for alto) but after some initial concern about the way it looked, it didn't seem to matter when I played it that way.

As far as Vandoren's 1/10 issue, I think that ratio applies to more than just Vandoren. I use Vandorens all the time and after I taught myself to do some adjusting, I was able to make most reeds in the box play equally well. Maybe you should experiment with some judicious scraping of the vamps as has been described in many threads here. DAVE

 

[Little Sax]

I was a Vandoren Blue Box user for a long time - then I switched to Legere. The standard Legere (and better yet, the new Signature line) is similar in response to Vandoren Blue Box reeds.

There is a tactile difference such that the plastic reed feels more "slick". As a result, you might end up slipping back toward the tip of the mpc without realizing it. It takes a little conscience effort at first to make sure you have enough mpc in your mouth, but after I adjusted, I won't ever go back. I have shelves of Vandoren reeds that will likely continue to collect dust until my kids are old enough to learn the "joys" of working cane reeds. (...then they'll probably switch to some space aged polymer or something.)

 

[silverstuff]

is it possible to "adjust" reeds without a knife?

 

[Dave Dolson]

There are some reed-tools out there that, for a price, may adjust reeds. Maybe sandpaper could do it, too. Since I always have a small sharp pocket knife with me, that works just fine and I didn't have to buy yet another accessory.

Little Sax does have a point about synthetics and much has been posted about those, too. DAVE

 

[BPSAX]

I play on Selmer mouthpieces with Gonzalez reeds, and I notice what you are talking about...
I just play with the outer sides of the tip of the reed hanging over the tip of the mouthpiece by just a tiny bit.
This doesn't seem to have a negative affect on the sound.