Using Plasticovers

I used to just slap them on and play. Definitely couldn't make any adjustments. It was kind of nice.

The lack of adjustability is what made me stop playing them. It seems to me if it dosen't play well out of the box you're hosed, plus I always wondered where the black stuff that comes off the reed goes...

Making them wet makes no sense because plastic doesn't absorb water.

I think the habit of wetting our reeds dies hard.

The only thing I've noticed with Plasticovers is getting a 1/2 strength stronger than what you play with regular cane reeds. If I don't do that the reeds play great initially out of the box but seem to go soft too quick.

I have been using a plasticover for about 2 months now after not using them for several years. IME when you notice any wear of plastic, even the slightest bit on the edges, then it is ending it's "service life." Very little maintenance involved aside from removing it occasionally to clean the mpc. I like to swab the mpc with alcohol from time to time (in the name of santitation). .. You may notice a slight difference with intonation and need to make the appropriate adjustments.

Thanks for the responses...


What I do so far with these reeds is wet the back to get a seal on the reed...
These reeds are amazing when you think about it...of all the things that "break" a reed down...these reeds are impervious to all of them except the basic vibrational mileage a normal reed will sustain...

I use nothing but plasticovers for years on end now. Just slap 'em on, play 'em. They seem to last pretty long. Instant playability and they give me that exta buzz which I like. If I put on a "normal" cane reed I seem to lose some edge.
To me they are the best of both worlds...cane v plastic. There is only one downside: if the read doesn't play well, you can't modify it. Except for drilling, that can sometimes help (if they are to stuffy).

Couldn't live without them...

I used Plasticovers on my Link when I first got it back from the refacer. I had used them on my Berg for a few months when I was pretty much playing only r&b/soul. They're nice if you need to pick up some edge right away, but I found that regular cane reeds, for me at least, had a thicker sound with more meat in it. This way, instead of cutting through the mix, I can muscle my way to front of it. I wish they weren't so bright, otherwise I would love to use them for pit orchestra/doubling type gigs.

nitrosax said:

For those of us on here that use plasticovers, how do you guys use them?
Do you wet them before putting them on? What is the point really? They don't hold water right? I soaked a couple in water before playing them and didn't notice a huge difference...I'm curious how others handle these reeds...and one more thing..if the back in concave or convex you're screwed on these reeds no? There is no way to fix warpage on the flat side of the reed correct?

Thanks,
Nitro

Click to expand...

I still wet them, but its force of habit more than anything.

I still work them when I have too, I use the ATG system to balance them, it doenst take a lot off, and under the black it doesnt seem like raw cane to me, its sort of resin impregnated, at least a little way down, so I guess a bit of sanding wont do any harm.

If its no good to you anyway "as is"...you've nothing to lose.

Thanks for the helpful insights...I really like these reeds and RICO in general..
They've got soul

I wet them because I'm used to a wet reed against my lip. Also, the film of liquid provides a little bit of a cushion to soften the texture of the reed.