[saxmaam]

I'm currently playing Orange Box Rico reeds, strength 3.0, at a cost of $2.40 per reed.

My teacher plays Blue Box Vandoren Reeds, which I could buy for $3.66 per reed.

My question is "what would that extra $1.16 buy me?" Should I switch?

Thanks,

Susan

 

[69193]

Consistency. From my box to box comparison (Rico Orange vs. Vandoren blue), the Vandoren reeds were more consistent. I'm a "late bloomer" and don't play very often. If I could notice that, I'm sure that the average player does as well. You get what you pay for.

Buy your reeds online too (i.e. Amazon.com). No joke...there's a $15+ difference between what my local store charges and what you could get them for online. I'm all about buying local, when possible...but that's a hell of a difference.

 

[saxmaam]

Consistency. From my box to box comparison (Rico Orange vs. Vandoren blue), the Vandoren reeds were more consistent. I'm a "late bloomer" and don't play very often. If I could notice that, I'm sure that the average player does as well. You get what you pay for.

Consistent in strength? In other qualities? Please elaborate.

 

[69193]

Consistent in strength? In other qualities? Please elaborate.

Consistent in how they feel/play. I could go from one Vandoren to the next and it felt like I was playing the same reed (no texture/feel difference). Going from one Rico to the next...they all felt different.

Edit: I went to Rico Plasticover reeds recently because of convenience. Between work and kids...I get maybe 15 minutes every other day to play. I was wasting a good chunk of my time just prepping reeds, so I hit the 'easy' button. I will say that if I decide to go back to traditional reeds, I won't buy Rico...I'll go with Vandoren again.

 

[buddy lee]

And if you do switch, I'd drop down to a 2 or 2.5... those blue box reeds are much harder than Rico of the same number. Also, it depends on what your goal is sonically. Not many people playing jazz (or am I wrong) play blue box reeds, they're more of a "classical" reed if you will.

 

[69193]

Yup. My bad. I forgot to mention that. My shop said that the Vandorens are 1/2 a strength higher. So according to them...a 3.0 Rico orange = a 2.5 Vandoren blue. However, I would buy a small box of them just to make sure that will work for you (strength wise).

 

[cleger]

Reeds are a personal thing, for example I was never happy with any Vandoren reeds that I've ever tried but they work really well for some people. If you want to try them out you should, but don't expect that you will necessarily get the same results as your teacher. I'll give my standard disclaimer that I am a perpetual beginner and you should read my comments with that in mind.

 

[Pete Thomas]

I'm not sure upgrade is the right word. It's like eating cheddar cheese then paying more for Cheshire. Is it an upgrade? Only if you prefer Cheshire. Is it better cheese?

 

[Canadiain]

To continue the cheese analogy maybe its like going from mousetrap cheddar to 4 year old mature cheddar.... basically the same thing, but one has more depth of flavour and user satisfaction. But you pay a premium for it. Some like cheddar, some like stilton, some want mac and cheese out of a box...

 

[saxmaam]

So with cheese, I'd say that sharp/aged cheddar is saltier and tangier than mac'n'cheese cheddar. It's also just a little bit moldy and more complex. Blue cheese is all that but different, and sometimes is moldier than I like.

Are you saying that the blue box Vandorens are more complex? Can you put any adjectives on the difference between them and the orange box Rico's?

 

[Dave Dolson]

I'll add that all reeds, being products of nature are inconsistent . . . meaning that for me, it doesn't matter what brand I buy, only a few out of each box will play right away and require no adjusting. I routinely buy Vandoren ZZ after years of Vandoren Java, and Rico's before that. But that's just me.

Yes, reeds are extremely personal, just like mouthpieces (and most saxophone gear). If you want more consistency, try the synthetics . . . but even then, I've found some synthetics play better than others of the same brand and strength. DAVE

 

[spike421]

As said above, reed choice is very personal. The hope is that in paying more you get a better, more consistant, longer lasting reed. I have not found that to be true. I use Rico Royals on Bari and Gonzalez for everything else. I've tried Hemke, Alexanders, and many others and have found that a premium price does not neccesarily mean a better reed. I would have to say that Gonzalez, as far as consistency, good reeds per box, and economy would be my top personal pick. Strength seems about the same as Blue Box.

 

[hgiles]

I just buy La Voz. They' re no worse or better than anything else and no less consistent, but they sure are less expensive!

 

[RandyJ]

Reeds are reeds are reeds, and they've been that way for a long time. If you're playing a reed that you like and it works for you...you're ahead of the game.

The biggest thing to know and remember is find a reed that works with the facing curve of the mouthpiece you're using.

 

[ratracer]

As practically everyone else has said - so I'll pile on - reeds are so personal that you won't know what you'll get till you give them a try. Blue box Vandorens and I don't get along. I get along much better with Rico Royales, Rico Jazz Selects or even the Brown box Ricos than I do those Blue Boxes. But, others swear by them so your mileage will vary.

By the way, what setups are we contrasting or comparing between you and your instructor? That will play large role in what you will experience but you won't know till you try. Are you looking for some kind of change in your tone that you can describe?

What is known for sure is that you will get a different reed. And yes you will definitely need to go down a half strength to be comparable with your Ricos. What else is known is that you will be out an additional $1.16/ reed or $11.60/box of ten reeds. Lastly, only you will be able to tell if it's worth it.

Ah! Here is a diagram illustrating the different cuts of Vandoren reeds. Couldn't find a Rico equivalent. This is the best I could find on Rico but it's a pdf so I'll let you read it for pertinent info.

 

[Canadiain]

So with cheese, I'd say that sharp/aged cheddar is saltier and tangier than mac'n'cheese cheddar. It's also just a little bit moldy and more complex. Blue cheese is all that but different, and sometimes is moldier than I like.

Are you saying that the blue box Vandorens are more complex? Can you put any adjectives on the difference between them and the orange box Rico's?

I guess Im saying if you spend your whole life eating cheap cheddar you wont know if you like anything else more.

Personally I dont get on with Vandorens, but spend a few bucks yourself on other reeds, and make your own mind up what you like and whether its worth paying a premium for. I settled on RJS and they work for me, I find they are pretty consistent, last longer than Orange box for me, and most importantly they are responsive and sound good. On the other hand at least one great player I know plays plane jane orange box, its a personal preference.

Whatever you choose spend the time to learn how to fix and manipulate reeds so that you can fix the bum ones. The best money I ever spent as a woodwind player was quite possibly the $50 on the ATG system, now the few RJS reeds that dont play well out of the box I can usually fix up to use.

 

[saxmaam]

By the way, what setups are we contrasting or comparing between you and your instructor? That will play large role in what you will experience but you won't know till you try. Are you looking for some kind of change in your tone that you can describe?

She plays the TL3 with the blue box Vandorens strength 3.5 or 4 and a Rovner lig (not sure which one).

I am playing the TL4 with Rico orange #3's and a Rovner dark ligature. Started with the TL3 but left it at the repair shop with my horn for 2 weeks. When I got it back, I was used to the TL4 and couldn't play the TL3, even with a new reed. (Honestly didn't try very hard ... too much fussing with equipment.)

I'm in the middle of an embouchure change, learning to play in tune, finally, and one thing I have gotten from this thread is that I probably DON'T want to experiment with reeds right now!

But the thing I'd really like to change about my tone eventually is to get a warmer sound (like Hank Mobley on Soul Station

). Though now that I think about it, some of what I hear there might be the Rudy Van Gelder treatment.

I don't quite know how to describe my current tone, but I'd say it's "hard." More like a small engine than a songbird or a singer.

 

[minous]

I'm not sure about what I'm about to say...I readily admit I could be wrong. But I doubt that changing your reed choice is going to get in the way of the exercises you are doing to improve your embouchure and intonation. If you are comfortable with the Ricos you play now in terms of feel, sound, and in terms of the number of useable reeds you get per box, then you don't have to change. If on the other hand you are dissatisfied with any or all of these factors, then by all means, try new reeds. The strength of your embouchure and your breath support exercises can be consistent as long as you don't make a wild jump in relative reed strength from brand to brand.

 

[Bozman]

You may want to try Rico Royals. They are very close in strength to Ricos,but I find them to be a bit warmer and darker than the Ricos. I believe that they are made from higher quality cane and they are only a couple of dollars more per box than the ricos.

 

[playatsax]

About the only thing you'll gain is consistency in hardness and finish. So I won't bore you re-stating what you've already read. What I will say is this: Find a reed, and stick with it. Too many people change reeds too often looking for the "magic reed" as if their chops will improve exponentially. While I am no expert, and definitely not making a living playing, I get my fair share of gigs, and I have never found a reed that I couldn't play. I stick to Vandoren. I play 3s, but feel more comfortable playing a 2 7/8. So I carry a pocket knife and cut them into submission. Spend more time practicing-it will pay off more than a reed.