What reeds are you using?
This week I want to talk about reeds: what brands and strengths of reeds are you using on your clarinet?
On my soprano clarinets I use the Vandoren V12s, strength 3.5. I’ve used the same brand and strength of reed for 20 years now, so I’m hoping this week’s discussion will give me some ideas for new brands to try!
On my bass and contrabass clarinets I use Legère plastic reeds, usually strength 2.75 or 3. They tend to be harder than the Vandoren reeds, so I have to go with a slightly lower number. I love Legère but they’ve changed something recently and I don’t find the sound quite as good as it used to be - I’m clinging to this one bass clarinet reed that I absolutely love and hoping it will last forever. But plastic is so practical for me when I’m doubling: I never need to worry about them drying out and I never need to adjust them. I know I could probably get a slightly nicer sound with cane but I’m willing to ‘take the hit’ for how much ease it allows me.
I’m looking forward to hearing about your reeds!
8 replies
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I used to really like the Rico Grand Concert Select Thick Blank reeds but they have been replaced now with the Reserves. I still like V12s strength 3 or 3.5. On bass, I like Vandoren blue box 2.5. But it's kind of dependent on your mouthpiece.
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I've been doing Legere for years. I just got so frustrated with the cane reed selection and break in process. I tend to use 2.5 European cut on soprano. Still figuring out what I like on bass and on saxophones.
I do agree with you that the quality of the reed and the sound has been different recently. I'm hanging in there to see how it all shakes out. I've tried the synthetic reeds from Silverstein and Fiberreed and I wasn't happy with the sounds there. I know Vandoren is making a synthetic now that I'd really like to try!
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Hello, I play German cut, but maybe it's still interesting for someone. Most companies also have reeds in French cut. I play Arrundos Boheme in 3.0, This is a small company where you have to order directly. The Boheme cut actually allows for fast staccato, which is what they advertise (maybe it's a placebo effect but I really notice a difference). I also like the Pilgerstorfer company from Austria. Here I play classic broad 3.5. They have a very dark sound, but are difficult to intonate. I also play their model for the German bass clarinet „Basso“ in 2.5. There is hardly any choice for German Bass reeds
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Soprano - Vandoren Blue Box 2.5, though I plan to try the V12 version at some point. I've tried D'Addario Reserve as well, but find them a bit harder than the Vandoren 2.5. Nice sound, however, once I get one set up properly. Mouthpiece is an old Vandoren M13, btw. On bass, at the suggestion of Michael Lowenstern, I've switched to Vandoren 2.5 V12 reeds and may move up to 3.0. I find the V12 gives me crisper articulation due to its slightly thicker and sturdier tip and a bigger sound on my bass. I play 50+ year old R13's on A and Bb and a fairly new Tosca bass with an unnamed Walter Grabner prototype mouthpiece. It's black, and Walter has retired from mouthpiece making - can't offer any further details. I used to use Zonda reeds and loved them. Played well, came in 1/4 strengths, lasted forever and the majority in a box of 10 were good. I believe they are no longer available - anyone know? , great topic!