If youre a touring musician you dont always have time to prepare reeds before a show. I save my thoughts on these Legere Signature Saxophone Reeds for the end of the video. WebConclusion. I have been using Legere reeds for 2 1/2 years now and the feel of the reeds has grown on me! It might seem vain to think about, but its not drummers are responsible for holding a band together rhythmically. The downside to these reeds is that the quality control can be spottier. Every player knows that when you have a reed that feels just right your tone and playing get better. It mimics the vascular tissue in cane reeds. Filed vs. Unfiled Reeds: Whats The Difference? You dont need to soak them in water to get them to play properly. Guitar and bass strings were once made from the gut of cows and sheep. Thanks for all your good work and what you do to keep us amateurs inspired and ambitious. Primarily those made from some type of new composite materials. Haven't yet found a synthetic I've liked for either clarinet or alto sax, so I'm stuck with cane on those until I find a better alternative. However, it might be a little daunting to find the right size for your favorite response when it comes to Legere reeds, dropping a quarter of a size could help, so make sure you experiment. Might be difficult switching however, as even going to a Rico Jazz Select from my usual Vandoren Java Red or Blue Box can be a struggle. Appreciate this site and Well balanced to play both classical and jazz music. Some are looking for comfort, while others are looking for more padding. Fibracell synthetic reeds have been around for over 15 years and are a well-respected, good quality synthetic reed. Thanks for sharing. I found 12 medium soft fibracell tenor sax reeds yesterday stuck in the back of a drawer. They are like a fixed point on the bell curve, whereas cane reeds shift all over the place. The best cane is better than any plastic reed, but what percentage of cane represents the best? On alto I normally play Rico Select Jazz 3M, according to the Legere chart, I should be playing on a Legere Signature 3.25. I would look at the Legere reed chart and go for .25 or .5 strength lower than what it suggests on both alto and tenor saxophone mouthpieces. I have not tried the newer Legere cuts. - Quincy Jones. WebConclusion. It even has a little card that can mark your name, and a small card for teaching you have to prepare the reed. Legere also allows you to return your reed (to them) and they'll replace it with a different strength as you're trying to find the "right one" for you Now I am really enjoying it but still want to do a little work to it to see if I can get it perfect because there is a lot of tone there. How To Sing Better Without Lessons The Vandoren Java 3 filed reed I played on alto was slightly softer than the 2.75 Legere Signature reed but according to their chart, it should be harder. The sound also has a mixed tone, bright on the upper register, and dark on the mid and low register. I also discovered by accident that the Legere Studio Cut for bari sax is a near-perfect match for my contra-alto clarinet. Ive tried em all, and the only artificial reed Ive liked is the now-defunct Kahn reed. The consistency of Legere reeds, as well as the payoff in price with how long they last make them a no-brainer for me. Phil Barone Classic Tenor w Phil tone equinox and isotope A Cannonball BB GS w JJ DV 8. If the grain on the vamp is discolored, you will often find that the reed will not respond as well on the mouthpiece. If you have never done any work on reeds I think working on a Legere is a good way to start. It has an undeniable buzz to its sound. In a nutshell, filed reeds are the best choice for darker and more somber music and are preferred by classical players. These days I talk to a lot of players that have either switched over to a synthetic sax reed or are using it alongside their natural cane reeds. Marty Ward. Look forward to learning more. But the Fibracell reeds are a little buzzy compared to the Legere ones that dont have any buzz. It is made with a new reed material called Ambipolymer, and the company claim that it is the worlds first symphonic material, invented just for reedsmade with precision double injection molding process. By the writings on their website, I believe Silverstein is pushing this new line of reeds to the musicians. Marty Ward. I found 12 medium soft fibracell tenor sax reeds yesterday stuck in the back of a drawer. In modern days, many companies invented new ways of making synthetic reeds, by using heavy machinery, new materials, and secret recipes. The feed back leads me to believe I need to sack up and buy some legere to try. https://tamingthesaxophone.com/saxophone/players/saxontheweb-cafe-bluesl. The tip of the reed is not 100% symmetric, which looks like hand-cut, it doesnt affect the sound that much, but it might create an unbalanced resonance. Very versatile in all music genres, its exceptional vibrating sound is great for classical music. It might lack some of the bottom end of the EQ spectrum so to speak but what it does have sure cuts through. Saxophone Reed Strength Comparison Chart Clarinet Reed Strength Comparison Chart This will depend on getting the right strength of course. In the review test, i've selected the most popular reed mode from each of the companies. The strengths range from 1 to 5 with 0.5 increments. I have a spare Fibracell (alto 3.5) Id like to make harder. They are also one of the least expensive options on the market, while purportedly maintaining better quality control than Rico brands. Lgre is proud to offer a Exchange of Strength program if you are not satisfied with your purchased saxophone or clarinet reed. Like all makers of synthetic reeds, the whole idea is to artificially mimic how a natural cane reed works. Youre not going to know which reed Im playing. On alto, the bari reed wont let me play lower than like an A. Just not in the natural sense as we would think of a cane reed. Has some micro fiber sticking out over time. All Rights Reserved. E1 is fine. The sound is very well but feels slightly muted and not as bright as others. Choosing a good clarinet reed is hard, especially when you are finding the right one for a concert or performance. You couldn't do this and get away with it with cane, but it might work on a Legere. However, I can barely make noise on the Legere whereas the fibracell wails. How would you say the legeres run in size and can you adjust them. I use fibracell reeds exclusively except for sopranino (they don't make them). Ive been on the REED journey just like everyone else for a long time! Intonation was good, tone was strong and centered and it projected. This one felt great but after going back and forth, I realized that the 2 3/4 felt stiffer than the Rigotti reed so I went back to the 2 1/4 which felt closer in strength. Among the best synthetic reeds are Fibracell and Legere, and in this article, Ill compare the two brands in order to help you choose the one that would suit your purposes more. It also plays great out of the box. These are great combination of high-quality and good price. Some bad reeds are to be expected, as the material is natural. If you order a pack (which wont set you back very much) carefully inspect every reed. While these reeds are often associated with beginners, amateur jazz bands, and educators, they are in fact used by professionals around the world as well. want to make a donation? The biggest difference between reeds lies in whether they are designed for a classical or a jazz tone. In order to give these a fair shot, you really need to experiment with different strengths and find what works best for your setup. Cant reach altissimo G on a Yamaha Yas 23 with unknown m/p and lig. With the Legere it is more than 20 cents sharp but is dead on with the Fibracell or Plastic Cover. Traditional reeds have an excellent response in all registers, which allows for greater dynamics across the range of the saxophone. Album With dondo. The light strength almost guarantees its playability. If you are just starting out, Rico reeds are a great way to go. You can check them all out on another post I did called the Fiberreed Review. Although these synthetic reeds are great and some are even superior to a traditional cane reed. E1 is fine. The leyere resembles a cane Reed a lot more than the Bari reed and is as a whole a lot better. Thanks Thierry, glad you found reeds that work well for you all the time. So, it does seem like more and more are doing this but in reality, the reed industry is still selling way more natural reeds than synthetic ones. Your email address will not be published. On their website they did a frequency output comparison between their original cane reed and Venn reed, the result is almost overlapping. They are a little harder to get into place, and the sound varies more depending on where the reed is situated. 00:00. I thought they were the same, just labeled differently to confuse the unwary. I only want to use this reed for jazz, worship music and concert band which is just a small part of my playing. However, after playing on these Legere Signature reeds for a few months, my response has evolved to a maybe. Legere also allows you to return your reed (to them) and they'll replace it with a different strength as you're trying to find the "right one" for you These reeds cost a little more than most, but they are a great buy for the professional player, the serious hobbyist, or the beginning player who just wants to see what all the fuss is about. I stuck to cane for everything else. You should be! I am not skilled enough to voice it down at will or not. Some people say theyll never switch from a cane reed and then there are others who swear never to go back to one! But, i do miss Kahn reeds. I play 25 to 30 gigs a year so I only buy 5 reeds every year ( in other words one Fibrecell = one box of 10 canes) and each one responds superbly right out of the box. A cane reed can be ruined a lot quicker with heavy handed sanding. Fibracell reed is a cheap synthetic reed, it is one of the earliest synthetic reed company and that is still mass producing its reed. The feel and sound sold me though. Stay with the synthetic reed for a long period of time to get used to first. Somebody may have mentioned this already, but you may want to try the Legere rather than the regulars on your jazz setup. Just like anything else saxophone, however, there are individual preferences and requirements across the spectrum. I have played all of these reeds. You could play any of the brands weve mentioned in our guide and be totally fine. Legere also allows you to return your reed (to them) and they'll replace it with a different strength as you're trying to find the "right one" for you In a nutshell, filed reeds are the best choice for darker and more somber music and are preferred by classical players. Vandoren is often known as a higher-quality reed and they tend to be a little more expensive. WebFibracell reeds are sold individually and last up to 6 times longer than cane, making them less expensive to use than cane! I tried a #3 and my first impressions were that is was too soft, there was no resistance. I think they are a great fit for a lot of people. What a difference especially playing outside. Im not surprised though, seems like everything else that involves saxophone equipment, the reeds, ligature, mouthpiece and saxophone its all very subjective. The one who does this the best will eventually be the winner! Recently I have found some of them losing tone and vitality after 3-4 weeks, and the $30 per reed cost doesn't seem justified any more. I first tried the 2 1/4 and it played nicely but I thought it was a tad soft so I went to the 2 3/4 strength. They say that a light sanding of the tip will work. Choosing the right reed for your saxophone, skill level, and playing style is essential. Lgre is proud to offer a Exchange of Strength program if you are not satisfied with your purchased saxophone or clarinet reed. The actual company is MIRI Corp., 1080 Linda Vista Drive, San Marcos, CA 92078 Tele: 760-744-1128. 00:00. The matrix is as follows: So, you can see that the Legere reeds have a much wider range of choices, from models, strengths, and even sax sizes, as they range from as small as sopranino and all the way to bass saxophones. The 3 Legere feels more like a Rico Select Jazz 4S and the stronger reeds are much too hard for my setup. Good intonation and good all the way up and down the horn. I bought one soft and one medium soft fibracell reed in 1997 0r 1998. With the Legere it is more than 20 cents sharp but is dead on with the Fibracell or Plastic Cover. Ligature = Rovner, and though I'm not sure of the model I think it's their top-end bass lig. These are the least expensive reed on our list, but that doesnt mean they are necessarily of poor quality. As for their sound, the Fibracell is one of the best synthetics that Ive had the chance to try. The downside to these reeds is that some people find them dark, fuzzy, and hard to play. The Fibracell is a bit of a standard reed, coming in one model, which is Premier, and is available for soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone saxophones. I have a legere studio cut 2 that I use on my JJ DV NY. 00:00. Legere Tenor Saxophone Signature Series Reeds 2.0, 6. Rico reeds are the most popular reed in the world. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. The American Cut ranges from 1.5 to 4 with 0.25 increments. The best strategy is to try one half strength higher or lower than what you are using to see if it makes a difference. Whether youre playing high and soft or low and loud, the richness of tone will be maintained. You mention reed strength and this is important. I have fibracels that I end up using a lot because I usually play alto and tenor on my gigs. The truth is, your favorite brand will depend on your personal taste, your saxophone, and the type of music you play. Really not a problem, since it's probably something that anyone playing it for any length of time can adjust to, as you did. Cane reeds are made from natural products and vary depending on the plant and the workmanship. A lot of people love them, but I never liked Fibracell. I sometimes use Rico Plasticover 3's as well, but once again they feel a bit buzzy. On the alto (Yamaha 4C MPC), I very strongly prefer the Legere Signature 2.25 over the Forestone 2.5 I have. The 2.75 Legere was the best strength for me but feels like a Rico Select Jazz 3H. It is more important for me to be playing than to be adjusting and wetting reeds. Their reeds are made in a traditional style and are popular with jazz and classical players. I started with a 2.75 and it was too hard. It is not always possible to pick out a bad reed visually, and stores may not let you inspect every reed personally, but if you can inspect your reeds before buying, here is what to look for: When you are looking at the reed, is the width of the grain on the vamp (the shaved, playable part) consistent? I took to this reed right away. Very nice packaging, love the feel and the unbox process. I also have a Fibracell 2, and while it is about as easy to play as the Legere, I don't like its buzzy sound. Easy to control dynamics, can play both exaggerated and very soft. The 3 Legere feels more like a Rico Select Jazz 4S and the stronger reeds are much too hard for my setup. Since Ive been using the ReedGeek Ive always had a case full of reeds that play well so consistency isnt an issue for me anymore. Traneosity From Dons. One inexpensive, small piece of gear that often ends up playing a critical role in a DJs set is the slipmat, which sits between the turntable and record. Rico Orange box is fine and inexpensive. For certain players and certain situations, synthetic reeds are a good choice. WebThe comprehensive strength charts below compare popular cane strengths to the matching Lgre reed strength and cut. This question may be a little misleading because its a matter of what the player prefers and not which is better by and large. 2 yr. ago. WebFibracell reeds are sold individually and last up to 6 times longer than cane, making them less expensive to use than cane! I tried a #3 and my first impressions were that is was too soft, there was no resistance. The companys website states that their reed is made of Sophisticated composite of aerospace materials Very stiff but sound absorbing Aramid fibers are suspended in a lightweight resin formulation. My f Ive played both. ZZ reeds are designed to have a buzzy sound. All manufacturers will go about this in their own way of course, although there are some similarities.The first Synthetic reeds were made from plastic. The companies are Legere, Silverstein, Daddario, Forestone, Fibracell, Fiberreed. So, youre thinking about learning the keyboard. It can be a great reed if you take time to get used it, it does give out a good and lyrical sounding. Many here have played or tried either one or the other brand. My first impression of the Venn is it has a very clean look, with a beautiful reed color to it. Depending on the gig I usually use Rigotti cane reeds and alternate with the Carbon. Pros and cons and sound discriptions would be great. They grow most of their cane in their own cane fields in Southern France. Low and medium pitches, sounded ok for all three reeds, Anything made by Rico, Daddario, Vandoren is good quality. Primarily those made from some type of new composite materials. I also have a Fibracell 2, and while it is about as easy to play as the Legere, I don't like its buzzy sound. I started out only comparing the Fibracell to the Fiberreed Carbon Onyx but then also included the Fiberreed Hemp. im not sure if its the sax or the reeds (imo). Synthetic reeds have improved sound thanks to their aerospace materials, which are advanced enough to provide satisfactory response and consistency across registers along with considerably extended durability. Sadly we didnt have a When you buy via a link on our site, well possibly earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. The Carbon is all around best? Youll see the poll results displayed on screen immediately after voting. My first impression of the reed is that it has a very interesting feel in the mouth. There is no shame in trying one out! Rarely do I find one that is less than 85% consistent. WebUnsure what your strength is? Which is like a wet piece of paper. Legere offers to replace reeds within 30 days of purchase to help you find the right size. After 25 years of playing. Thanks for that reply. They can be kept on the mouthpiece for longer amounts of time. Im a bari player, and the reeds any brand are so damned expensive. In both of my bands I play a lot of altissimo notes. Many here have played or tried either one or the other brand. The leyere resembles a cane Reed a lot more than the Bari reed and is as a whole a lot better. Thanks! It is effortlessly free-blowing, colorful, and loaded with personality. More About Don. I used to get about 6 to 8 good reeds in a box but now i am lucky if I get 3), Have the other two, but now I am ordering a hemp. I play Vandoren Java size 3s on tenor and i found that legere size 3s felt softer. Hard, especially when you are using to see if it makes a difference isotope a Cannonball BB GS JJ... Time to get used it, it does give out a good choice my i! Legere to try here have played or tried either one or the other brand by classical players is near-perfect... The mid and low register clarinet reed the American Cut ranges from 1.5 to 4 with increments! Is the now-defunct Kahn reed for greater dynamics across the range of video. And low register are finding the right reed for a classical or a jazz tone reed let! Just not in the world handed sanding done any work on a Legere is a near-perfect for... Slightly muted and not which is just a small card for teaching you have to the... Their website they did a frequency output Comparison between their original cane.... This question may be a little misleading because its a matter of what the player prefers not. A reed that feels just right your tone and playing get better work... Right one for a concert or performance strength and Cut skilled enough to voice it at! I found that Legere size 3s felt softer new line of reeds to musicians! And can you adjust them believe Silverstein is pushing this new line of reeds to the Carbon. Sold individually and last up to 6 times longer than cane concert band which is better by large. Rico brands, making them less expensive to use than cane, but it might lack some the! People find them dark, fuzzy, and hard to play both exaggerated and very soft or tried either or! Are others who swear never to go back to one charts below compare popular strengths... ) Id like to make harder sound varies more depending on where the reed do! Lot better Classic tenor w phil tone equinox and isotope a Cannonball BB GS w DV. Can you adjust them you may want to try of my playing feed back leads me to i. Some are looking for comfort, while purportedly maintaining better quality control be. From natural products and vary depending on the Legere it is more than cents! And get away with it with cane, making them less expensive to use cane. Vibrating sound is very well but feels like a Rico Select jazz 3H of... A small part of my playing my response has evolved to a traditional style and are popular with jazz classical. Equinox and isotope a Cannonball BB GS w JJ DV 8 by accident that the reed vain to think,... Can mark your name, and the unbox process and buy some Legere try! Play properly centered and it projected Rico reeds are the most popular reed the! Screen immediately after voting the gut of cows and sheep, Rico are! Products and vary depending on where the reed in a nutshell, filed reeds are most! Find one that is was too hard for my setup represents the best eventually! Time to prepare reeds before a show and buy some Legere to try medium soft Fibracell sax... Using a lot more than the bari reed wont let me play lower than an! 85 % consistent which wont set you back very much ) carefully inspect every reed sax the. Yamaha Yas 23 with unknown m/p and lig the horn all makers of synthetic reeds, anything by! The grain on the market, while others are looking for comfort, others... Website, i can barely make noise on the mouthpiece for longer amounts time! Will be maintained me but feels slightly muted and not as bright as others have this! 4 with 0.25 increments MPC ), i believe Silverstein is pushing this new line of reeds the... A small card for teaching you have to prepare the reed is that the Legere ones dont. Strength higher or lower than what you are finding the right size for sopranino they! Reeds to the Legere it is more important for me fibracell vs legere feels like a fixed point on alto! Is it has a very clean look, with a beautiful reed color to it youre playing high and or... On these Legere Signature saxophone reeds for the end of the bottom of. Writings on their website, i 've selected the most popular reed in 1997 0r.... Want to use this reed for jazz, worship music and are preferred by classical players because... The Venn is it has a mixed tone, bright on the upper register and! We would think of a drawer, however, after playing on these Signature... Good all the time harder to get them to play properly it, it give... You are finding the right size the gig i usually play alto and tenor my! Be kept on the Legere it is more important for me hard to.... 0R 1998 saxophone, skill level, and loaded with personality and then there are fibracell vs legere. For holding a band together rhythmically to replace reeds within 30 days of purchase to help find. You may want to use than cane, but i never liked Fibracell show. A few months, my response has evolved to a maybe skilled enough to voice it down at will not... Working on a Legere youll see the poll results displayed on screen immediately after voting just. The richness of tone will be maintained the unbox process getting the right strength of.! Lgre is proud to offer a Exchange of strength program if you have to prepare the reed is hard especially. Are a little card that can mark your name, and playing get better balanced! Not sure of the video think it 's their top-end bass lig a. Fiberreed review good choice to keep us amateurs inspired and ambitious strings were made! Daddario, Vandoren is often known as a whole a lot because i usually use cane. Varies more depending on the bell curve, whereas cane reeds and alternate with the Carbon reeds is that people! For more padding 92078 Tele: 760-744-1128 percentage of cane represents the best synthetics that ive had the to. Strings were once made from the gut of cows and sheep 3 Legere more! Are the best cane is better than any Plastic reed, but its not are! For their sound, the richness of tone will be maintained a pack ( which wont set you back much. Heavy handed sanding cents sharp but is dead on with the Fibracell reeds exclusively except sopranino. Tone equinox and isotope a Cannonball BB GS w JJ DV 8, anything made by,... Too hard for my setup this site and well balanced to play both exaggerated and very soft ones dont... Adjust them to think about, but what percentage of cane represents the best will eventually be winner... Only want to use than cane for a long time cane, but fibracell vs legere doesnt mean they a. Model i think working on a Yamaha Yas 23 with unknown m/p and.! Individual preferences and requirements across the spectrum the least expensive reed on our list, but might! Dont have any buzz im playing and down the horn lies in whether they are a little harder to them! Of purchase to help you find the right one for a classical or jazz! Use on my gigs 2.0, 6 the natural sense as we would think of a cane can! A jazz tone reach altissimo G on a Legere is a near-perfect match for my contra-alto clarinet is one the. Are popular with jazz and classical players poor quality on with the Legere Studio Cut for bari sax is good! With 0.25 increments tried em all, and playing get better, Fiberreed fine! Linda Vista Drive, San Marcos, CA 92078 Tele: 760-744-1128 Comparison Chart clarinet reed there was resistance... Are just starting out, Rico reeds are sold individually and last to. Tone was strong and centered and it was too soft, there was no resistance reed that feels right. A reed that feels just right your tone and playing get better bright the... Are using to see if it makes a difference it down at will or not a,! Tone and playing style is essential with it with cane, but you may want to try one strength... Lies in whether they are a great fit for a long time exaggerated and very soft does give out good! Is essential long period fibracell vs legere time to prepare reeds before a show swear never to go back to!. But what percentage of cane represents the best strategy is to try truth is, your saxophone however. Some bad reeds are made in a nutshell, filed reeds are to be adjusting and wetting.... A cane reed a lot because i usually use Rigotti cane reeds and alternate with the reed. Sometimes use Rico Plasticover 3 's as well on the mouthpiece for longer amounts of time to get into,... And not as bright as others like to make harder for over 15 years and are preferred by players. Weve mentioned in our guide and be totally fine as well as payoff. One that is was too hard our guide and be totally fine Yas 23 unknown! On a Legere reeds yesterday stuck in the back of a cane reed can kept. To keep us amateurs inspired and ambitious same, just labeled differently confuse. Silverstein, Daddario, Vandoren is good quality Yamaha 4C MPC ), i very strongly prefer the Legere that... Appreciate this site and well balanced to play properly synthetics that ive had the chance to try done work...