I've been ruthlessly going through my considerable stash of saved-for-later (rejected) reeds in recent week and having binned nearly all of them, can now justify buying some new ones!

I was disappointed with my last box of Vandorens (traditionals) and had at most four out of ten which were good ones - the rest were either complete duds or just took forever to blow in. I've been browsing a certain online reed supplier and am tempted to try Pilgerstorfer, probably the Dolce type. Has anyone used these and can you tell me how they compare with Vandorens?

Also, for anyone using Mitchell Lurie, how do the Premiums differ from the standard ones?

I'm aiming for a rich, dark sound which is clear, rather than bright - any further suggestions are most welcome!

I might be the wrong person to ask here, as I use and am a fan of Vandoren blue box reeds!

However, I've tried lots and lots of different reeds over the years : I think there's a good chance you'd get on with both types of Mitchell Lurie you mention - I'd also look at the Reeds Australia products (eg. Vintage). Afraid I haven't got experience of the Pilgerstorfer reeds, sorry.

Thanks, Barry! Found the Reeds Australia reeds - now Razzco, apparently! Think I would need the Vintage XL for my mouthpiece but have no idea whether to choose filed or unfiled - what's the main difference?

I've never heard of these, and their web site is in German so I'm none the wiser! I'd be interested to know what you think of them if you get them

Filed have a straight edge where the thin bit of the reed meets the thick bit (eg Vandoren blue), unfiled have a curved edge (eg standard Rico). For what you're after, I have a feeling you'd prefer unfiled, clarijo

Thanks Barry - have gone for Mitchell Lurie Premiums and Razzco Vintage XL (unfiled). I've also ordered a box of Rico Reserves to try too, so I will have a rather mixed bag to try!

Skylark - I've ended up going for the Razzcos as my expensive box this time over the Pilgerstorfers but they are on the Reeds Direct site and there are a couple of reviews on the internet, if you want to have a look at them!

I'll let you know how I get on with them all next week!

I think you've chosen a good selection there, clarijo. All the best with them

Thank you!

deja Vu? Didn't we discuss something like this on another thread........ hmmmmm?????
About a year ago?

See - we clarinettists are reed addicts!!

We certainly did but oddly I couldn't find the original thread - I seem to think it was yours but it could have been one of mine!

I think I was quite restrained and stuck to what I was using at the time (probably Vandorens) but since I'm down to my last three reeds (and only one of them is really any good), I have had the perfect excuse and needed no encouragement!!

Having spent a small fortune (three boxes in total - had to keep it quiet from OH ), I'm now tempted to buy a proper humidity controlled case to store them in. I've resisted the temptation up to now but the Razzco ones in particular were quite pricey and having done some swotting up on the internet, my storage/rotation methods now seem a bit slapdash, to say the least!

Soo...at risk of going very slightly , does anyone have any thoughts about reed cases (as in humidity controlled - Rico, Vandoren etc)?

I've lately been using a very good synthetic reed the legere signature, they're pretty expensive but I've been impressed although am still also using vandoren V12's, having tried many others. There really is too much choice these days but happy hunting

I don't, and have never used a reed case. There are some nice cases around though. People I know have used and liked the Vandoren Hygro cases. To be honest though, I still remain to be convinced about these sort of humidity controlled cases...

I know that they look a bit 'gimmicky' but if I want to soak my reeds in water, would this be better than just putting them back into the cases they arrived in afterwards? I've had problems with them going 'crinkly', which I assume is the reed drying out too quickly and the idea of a storage case to keep them flat and slow down the drying out process seemed like a good idea but perhaps I'm just a salesperson's dream - taken in by a nice photo and some elaborate blurb!

I've never used one of the fancy humidity controlled cases. I'm a great fan though of storing the reeds in the sort of case which holds them on glass. I find I get less crinkly reeds than I used to plus I don't break the corners off the reeds putting them back in their caes (I can be a little clumsy especially when tired at the end if rehearsals)

Thanks for this. After reading several internet articles and reviews, neither me nor OH (who isn't at all musical but was interested in the physics of it!!) were convinced by the humidity controlled case. However, I can see the obvious logic of keeping the reeds completely flat, so I went off in search of something suitable and have treated myself to a very dinky little case from Howarths, which will hold my reeds on a glass sheet.

As far as my general reed testing goes, I have so far played on two reeds from my new box of Mitchell Lurie Premiums. They are without doubt much softer than my Vandorens (and that's buying a half strength stronger!) However, I was quite impressed and they appeared to be consistent on first play. If I buy again (which I might!), then I will go up another half strength. Will be continuing my reed trials over the next week or two...

I tried the Australia reeds and didn't get on with them at all.
Wasn't too keen on Mitchell Lurie either.
I used V12s for some time and liked them then changed to Rico reserve at the suggestion of another forumite last year.
I have a reed case. I did have one of the ones with a glass sheet but the glass cracked. I didn't drop it or anything, it just cracked and the bands which hold the reeds made the 2 pieces of glass overlap each other which was a bit dangerous apart from making it useless. I wasn't inclined to pay the price for a new one the same after that.

It's here

Seem to remember I was a bad influence......

Anyway, I'm still using Vandoren Rue lepics size 3 but I may also get a box of 3.5 next time as they are slightly softer than traditionals but it is hard work to blow in the 3.5s to start but then they have better staying power. May be better for those top notes.

We should set up a reed swap for those who wish to try out different reeds..... Where we each buy a box of something and pool the reeds, then share them out equally..... so we end up with about 2 of each of 5 different types or something.....

Just smiling to myself reading the old thread - seems I've been asking almost exactly the same questions as you were asking last year!!

That's not a bad idea about pooling the reeds BUT I for one am not yet prepared to tackle a 3.5!!! Unless it's a Mitchell Lurie, as they do seem ridiculously soft! I'll be trying the Rico Reserves next but based on the Mitchell Lurie, wonder if I should have gone for a higher strength there too...

I am still playing on my fave Vandoren too - have to say here that the good Vandorens really are good but seem to be few and far between or perhaps I've just been particularly unlucky!





Oh dear - I'd hoped it would be a bit tougher than that!

Barry, Casting your mind back to Colchester 2009 and the person who gave the masterclass (Sorry can't remember who he was) I think he recommended Pilgerstorfer reeds. And the well known web site that sells reeds mentions these were recommended to them by a well know british professional do you think that could be the same person as gave the master class?

I've moved over to Mitchell Lurie from Vandoren as I found them more consistently playable straight from the box. (Maybe because they are a bit softer and so easier to play. ) and they are slightly cheaper too. I also tried Legere plastic reeds and found them to be quite good and they feel nicer on your lip - but I somehow never feel like a proper clarinettist when using a plastic reed. But I probably need to set aside some time for a 'sound test' as my playing is improving and I care more about tone that just playing easily.

Another point to make is that the guy who gave the masterclass did say that since Vandorens had started sealing the reeds individually he recommended opening them and letting them dry out in the airing cupboard for a few days before trying to play them. I don't know if it helps or not but I do remember him saying it.

Possibly : the guy who did the masterclass was Tim Lines, and he certainly does know his way round a clarinet!

Can it be that my first Mitchell Lurie Premium, opened on 28 Aug, is played out already?!!!! Sounds horribly mushy tonight and yes, I have been rotating them!

Liking the Rico Reserves...

Unfortunately, my Razzco Vintage reeds are way too soft - my clari blew so easily when I tried them, that I made myself jump! I don't think it's helped by the fact that I've been sent regular Vintage, Filed when I actually wanted Vintage XL, Unfiled... My fault - in my haste, I opened the pack without realising - will check more carefully next time!

The best Vandoren from my 'bad' box is still lovely and still going strong - perhaps I can just keep it going afterall!!

smd - I will be trying the Pilgerstorfers at some point, so thanks for the above!

It seems to be an Achilles heel with Mitchell Lurie with some players, lack of longevity. It's what turned me off them, a shame because I thought they sounded pretty good...

I do like them but if the rest are like this, then that will put me off - only five in the box, so will be lucky to get a month or so out of it!

I've been asked if I fancy having a go at sax in local band!!! Never even tried one but still intrigued.... Does this mean I will be going through this process all over again in a few weeks time but with sax reeds instead?!!!

Go for it if you fancy trying sax! Be aware the embouchure is different (you can play a sax on a clarinet embouchure, but the tone quality won't be amazing, so I wouldn't recommend it) : it's more circular than on clarinet. Also, you'll probably be surprised how much support the low notes on the sax need...

Still considering this - not sure that I have the capacity to take on another instrument! I have my hands pretty full with the clarinet and piano and something, somewhere would have to give!

On the reeds front, we have a clear winner! I've just tried a Razzco Vintage XL in a half strength stronger and I love it - very different to the standard Vintage, with exactly the kind of smooth, dark, sound I was after - especially those low notes. It was filed rather than unfiled and when I buy again, I will go for unfiled but I think I've finally found the perfect reed for me and my set up - many thanks for the recommendation!

I just need to be very disciplined now and make sure that I play all the other reeds out before I go shopping again!

Excellent : enjoy your new reeds!

Glad you found one you like

Yep enjoy!!! I think that was one of the one's I mentioned on last year's thread???? but still haven't tried.

Thanks, both!

Dawn, you mentioned the Razzco Passion in your thread last year, which I did look at but decided to go for the Vintage XL instead. Have to say that they come out quite soft against Vandorens - I went for a half strength stronger but may go up again on the next box. Also, the Vintage XL has a much darker sound compared to the standard Vintage but that could be just with my mouthpiece - the Vintage XLs are for a long facing/narrower tip whereas the standard Vintages are more for medium/open, which could be why I didn't like the sound on my mouthpiece!

I've been waiting on a reed order since July 27th.
The problem seems to be that though Reeds Direct admit that Rico Reserves are no longer going to be produced Dawkes think they are so I'm still waiting.
After a couple of emails I decided to phone them on Thursday. I spoke to a very nice man who told me he'd check again. I let him know my next preference (definitely not the Rico Reserve Classics which are apparently meant to be their replacements) and he offered to send me samples of the Gonzalez reeds which they get direct from the manufacturer in Argentina. This included an interesting background into reed making and cane production.
Hope to have some reeds before the ones I have are not behaving.

Hope you don't have to wait too long - nothing more frustrating than reeds you can't get on with! I still like the Razzco Vintage XLs but I've just bought some Alexander Classics in a 3 strength, which I am also very impressed with (also love their NY reeds on my tenor sax!)

I've never tried a synthetic reed but have recently had the Forestone reeds recommended to me by a very experienced player, who really is in a position to know a good reed from a bad!

I'm starting to like the Vandoren 56s...

Do you like them enough to tempt you away from the blue box reeds? For me, they are definitely the best of the
Vandoren reeds but I can get a better sound on the other brands I mentioned above.

Possibly, clarijo. They're beginning to grow on me. Am finding the durability is better, which for a clarinettist like me, can only be a good thing!

I like them but the 2.5s are no good for me any more and the 3s still too hard.

The latest update is email from Dawkes who have been informed by their uk Rico supplier that the Rico reserves are just being repackaged into boxes of 10 (previously sold in 5s) and that they are expecting a delivery next week.
Hopefully he remembers his offer of a trial of the Gonzalez reeds as it would be interesting to give those a try.

We'll make a convert of you yet .... I still swear by them - play a 3 usually but sometimes a 3.5. It's the consistency and durability that drew me too.

My son uses rico reserve saxophone reeds, but I've been having real problems buying them. We got some free samples at a stand at the RNCM sax day, then he got some given to him by his teacher, then when I tried to buy some, the only ones the shop had in stock were free samples and they just gave us them. I'm not complaining about the free reeds, but am beginning to wonder if it's actually possible to buy them

Latest update. Broke open the final V12 which are currently my 2nd choice reed.
Dawkes still waiting the imminent arrival of reeds from their Rico supplier 10 days later... obviously a new interpretation of the word imminent.....And when they arrive I think there's a better than even chance that they will not be reserves but classics.

They are going to chase them up and to send me samples of the Gonzalez reeds in the meantime.
Watch this space....

I have new reeds. Newly packaged in boxes of ten and without the fancy moisture control pack they do indeed look appear to be Rico Reserves (not classics).
Still awaiting trial of Gonzalez reeds which were posted out to me about 10 days ago but haven't yet arrived. The lovely Sam at Dawkes has promised to put some more in the post for me to try.

Will report back later.

Gonzalez are very good for the money (I suppose it depends on what the music shop is charging, though!) I sell them and also play them quite often, they seem to be quite consistant in quality which is only a good thing.

Must admit I did buy a box of Vandoren 56 because I liked the box but my favourite reeds remain Alexander's.

As I have a new clarinet I do hope to do a spot of trying different reeds out again and possibly mouthpieces, though my M30 works very well and is apprantely the same sort of facing as a Howarth mouthpiece anyway ....

First impression of Gonzalez is that I like the clarity but think that they are lacking a little in depth.

This is what I found with Gonzalez. They are very consistent, but I found them hard to actually make them do what I wanted to do with them.

Will get a second opinion on Monday but I think that will only confirm what I think.

Reeds Reeds Rees wish I had taken up the drums, I probably would have been saying Skins Skins Skins if I had.

Being a relatively new player I always feel reticent about giving advice (read ideas) on these threads as they have probably been dusted down dozens of times before., but here goes

I am using 2.5 Vandorens blue at the moment and am still getting a lot of "duff reeds" out of the boxes of ten that I buy, and not many really good ones. I have however tried this with a small amount of success.

I soak the reeds, put them on glass, let them dry for about 20 minutes and gently scrape the thin end with a razor blade. try it and maybe scrape a bit more and so on.
It may be a complete fluke but out of 4 that I tried I got one to to play well. I also sometimes manage to get a "Duff" one to play better if I slide it up/down the mouthpiece a bit, (I think I read that on here somewhere) I then mark it with an up or down arrow.

We should have a thread on tips and tricks with reeds. . Bet there is one somewhere

I have taken the plunge and bought a box of strength 3 56s...

You're obviously impressed then!

I have almost a full box I'm wondering if I'll ever grow into.