[PorkpieHat]

There is something about the Orange Box Ricos I like tone wise over the Jazz Select reeds but I do wish to find a slightly better quality cane than the standard Orange Box reeds. Can someone recommend a reed that is similar but slightly better quality? I'm thinking perhaps Rigotti Gold but they are considerably more expensive.

 

[Sacks Of Phones]

There is something about the Orange Box Ricos I like tone wise over the Jazz Select reeds but I do wish to find a slightly better quality cane than the standard Orange Box reeds. Can someone recommend a reed that is similar but slightly better quality? I'm thinking perhaps Rigotti Gold but they are considerably more expensive.

Try Vandoren Red Box. If you like a brighter reed, try the Rigotti.

 

[bandmommy]

Hemke have a similar cut to the Orange box RICO. I use them on all of my saxophones. And theyre less pricey than Vandoren.

 

[Reet McVouty]

There's absolutely nothing wrong with Rico orange box reeds. If you're getting a great sound with them why change, and what makes you think there is a better quality cane? All Rico reeds are made by D'Addario. They also make Hemke and La Voz and machine reeds for other manufactures. The cane is all the same, it's the cut that is the difference between the brands.

 

[StefGrani]

Great topic! Confusing too... I understand that there must be different cuts amongs the various brands, but I read somewhere that the strength is a function of the reed material. I.e. the cut within the brand is the same. I stopped using Vandorens because of their numbering system. Their number seems to be much harder than the others. So, if my embouchure ever gets to that level, I’ll try them again. Meanwhile I play others. I’m generally doing well with the Rico orange box, but I like the Select Jazz as well. Just now I’m getting used to LaVoz on my bari. So far so good. I’m also a Rigotti fan. Surprisingly, I’m getting a lot of help from my ReedGeek. I sincerely thought that it is just a super expensive gadget, but now it’s paying itself back slowly. More than the money I appreciate the amount of frustration it helps to avoid.

 

[Govinda]

La Voz would be the way to go if you want to keep it in the same family tree

What do you think better quality cane will bring you? Are you looking for difference in tone? Response? What strength are you playing and on what mouthpiece?

 

[Hassles]

Hemke have a similar cut to the Orange box RICO.

+1

 

[PorkpieHat]

Thanks for the responses. As far as the Orange Box reeds, I guess I've been under the impression they are something one should graduate out of, or at the very least move to a brand that will have better quality consistency. The Select Jazz seem to be superior in some respects, like in response, but I find the tone a bit buzzy or...Just lacks the kinda tone I'm after, especially in the lower register. Mind you the Select Jazz are a strength higher (2H) to the 2.5 OBs. Don't think that makes much of a difference. I'm currently on a metal Otto Link. I plan to pick up a Otto Link HR just to see how it might sound on my horn. At any rate, I hear people rave about such and such higher quality cane reeds so I've been curious. Guess it comes down to experimentation. I know I'm pretty close to what I want/like with the Orange Box reeds (when I get a good one out of the box) just curious to try something similar.

Oh I use a ReedGeek too but nothing too advanced, just a little table work.

 

[raindog]

I know at least one pro that uses orange box (on bari), and really likes them. He also likes La Voz. If you like a reed, there is no need to "graduate" out in my opinion. Although experimenting is good.

You wonder about Rigotti Gold. To me they sound and respond very similarly to Select Jazz, so if you dont like SJ, Rigotti may not be the answer. (I like both, but SJ is cheaper and have better availability)

To compare reeds you really need to compare reeds of equal strength, imho. For different products that may mean different numbers, definitely in the case of Rico vs Vandoren. You can find a number of various reed strength charts by googling, they are not always super accurate but may help getting in the ballpark.

I believe most Rico/D'Addario reeds come in half strengths like 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5 etc. But select jazz comes in third strengths like 2 (2M), 2.33 (2H), 2.66 (3S), 3 (3M), 3.33 (3H). In theory at least. It may have to do with why they feel consistent - because of the smaller variation of strength in any given box. But it also means numbers are not directly comparable to other reeds of even the same manufacturer. SJ reeds often come with sharp edge on the corners which touch the bottom lip, so I usually lighly scrape the edge out, otherwise they tend to just work out of the box.

 

[milandro]

My teacher ( at the time) a very fine pro player, Paul Stocker, used red box for years and years (and probably still does), I got some recently (older ones) and they were certainly very playable compared to my Rigotti and Alexander.

 

[B Flat]

+1

+2
Although for me the Rico Royals are working well at the moment on Baritone.
Java Green on Tenor.
I have a box of Rico orange for both Baritone and Tenor.
I hate them with a passion on Tenor, but can tolerate them for Baritone.

 

[Hassles]

FWIW - I local jazz tenor player "used" to play Rico Jazz Select - until I sent her some Alexander Superial, Rigotti Gold and Marca Superieure reeds ALL of which quickly became her preferred reeds with the Superial NY reeds becoming her favourite - all at twice the cost of her RJS. She has also more recently become quite fond of Gonzales reeds. As I finance the reed acquisitions she is not influenced by the costs of same and has made her choice based upon playability. Like yourself she is unique and her experiences won't replicate your own. There is an old adage "when you're on good thing, stick to it".

 

[PorkpieHat]

I do wonder about a darker reed on the metal Link vs a brighter reed on a HR Link. Thinking about a balance where one can get that smokey warmth but still bright enough to cut through when needed.

 

[Reet McVouty]

Thanks for the responses. As far as the Orange Box reeds, I guess I've been under the impression they are something one should graduate out of, or at the very least move to a brand that will have better quality consistency. The Select Jazz seem to be superior in some respects, like in response, but I find the tone a bit buzzy or...Just lacks the kinda tone I'm after, especially in the lower register. Mind you the Select Jazz are a strength higher (2H) to the 2.5 OBs. Don't think that makes much of a difference. I'm currently on a metal Otto Link. I plan to pick up a Otto Link HR just to see how it might sound on my horn. At any rate, I hear people rave about such and such higher quality cane reeds so I've been curious. Guess it comes down to experimentation. I know I'm pretty close to what I want/like with the Orange Box reeds (when I get a good one out of the box) just curious to try something similar.

Oh I use a ReedGeek too but nothing too advanced, just a little table work.

No, there's nothing to graduate from. Rico's orange box is just as high quality as any other reed on the market. All this stuff about different reeds is just more marketing shtick. Certainly some people find certain reeds have more play-ability for them, for whatever reason. But that doesn't mean that those reeds will be playable for you. Just like horns and mouthpieces everyone wants to impress upon you their choice. My opinion is if you're getting good results from the orange box stick with them. Otherwise you're just going to spend time and money to fix a problem you don't even have.

 

[turf3]

I dunno, the last time I bought a box of Ricos the cuts were highly inaccurate and the cane looked like all pith. And they were cut so thin it felt like they weren't going to last. Just compare 10 Ricos right out of the box to 10 Vandorens and see if you can see any difference in QC.

 

[Reet McVouty]

I dunno, the last time I bought a box of Ricos the cuts were highly inaccurate and the cane looked like all pith. And they were cut so thin it felt like they weren't going to last. Just compare 10 Ricos right out of the box to 10 Vandorens and see if you can see any difference in QC.

It's a good thing we don't all have the same experiences, otherwise this forum wouldn't exist.

 

[skeller047]

Thanks for the responses. As far as the Orange Box reeds, I guess I've been under the impression they are something one should graduate out of, or at the very least move to a brand that will have better quality consistency. The Select Jazz seem to be superior in some respects, like in response, but I find the tone a bit buzzy or...Just lacks the kinda tone I'm after, especially in the lower register. Mind you the Select Jazz are a strength higher (2H) to the 2.5 OBs. Don't think that makes much of a difference. I'm currently on a metal Otto Link. I plan to pick up a Otto Link HR just to see how it might sound on my horn. At any rate, I hear people rave about such and such higher quality cane reeds so I've been curious. Guess it comes down to experimentation. I know I'm pretty close to what I want/like with the Orange Box reeds (when I get a good one out of the box) just curious to try something similar.

Oh I use a ReedGeek too but nothing too advanced, just a little table work.

Orange Box reeds are the "student" brand, but they play well. They do best on pieces with a longish facing, because they are cut with a long tip and short heart. (So your Link should be fine!) Rigotti, RSJ and Java reeds have a bit shorter tip, so they feel more substantial. Vandoren blue box have a very long spine or heart, and so do best on mouthpieces with a shorter facing. Which is why classical players like them.

All the reeds mentioned in this thread will play just fine, including the OrangeBox ones! When people talk about "cane quality" or "this year the cane is bad on brand X" or "only 1 reed in a box plays", you can be sure that they don't know how to adjust reeds. All cane reeds require a bit of work.

A couple of suggestions. First, you might do well to get a reed clipper, and slightly clip the tip of the Rico's. This will move the heart forward a bit and may help them speak with a little more authority. Second, learn to balance your reeds, all it takes is a glass surface and a small piece of sandpaper, or you can use the reed geek, this will improve the response of the reeds.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Hassles]

have a go at Juno reeds. These Vandoren reeds are marketed as 'student reeds' and are aimed at competing with Rico's 'orange box' option. During the recent Jay Metcalf (Better Sax) interview with Baritone sax player Jason Marshall (

) Jay asked Jason what reeds he uses. Jason's response "Rico Orange Box".