So, youre thinking about learning the keyboard. Fibracell Tenor Saxophone Reeds. When you buy via a link on our site, well possibly earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. On the other hand, unfiled reeds are pop and jazz players choice as theyre known for the brightness of sound and ease of playability. Synthetic reeds are a nice alternative to cane ones as they spare you the need for maintenance, and you can skip looking through a whole box of them to find just the right one. While most reeds are made out of cane, these Legere Signature Series 2.0 reeds are actually synthetic made out of plastic. I will often start a brand new clarinet or saxophone student on a #2 strength cane reed. Still, the Legere reeds would make the best alto sax reeds as the alto sax doesnt require as much effort to play, so the whole equation is balanced while you get the amazing intonation with Legere reeds. Intonation was good, tone was strong and centered and it projected. Hoping the strengths are good, if not, I will use the exchange program. WebUnsure what your strength is? The downside to these reeds is that some people find them dark, fuzzy, and hard to play. So, if they arent comfortable, Read More 21 Best Drum Thrones 2023, For Small & Big Guys, Those With Bad Back & MoreContinue, Children are never too young to become interested in music and playing instruments, but some instruments work best for older studentsare saxophones one of them? Realistically, these reeds are probably as good as the cheap Rico brands, but they are harder to find and less popular, which earns them a lower ranking. 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. When using the blade on the 2 1/2 Legere I counted and made 100 scrapes on each side on the heart of the reed. Even for us sax players, theres no more mouthpieces made out of wood! Fortunately, I have found that the American website, https://www.thomannmusic.com/harry_hartmann_fiberreed.html sells the ONYX for around $22.00. Currently, I am playing with a Pop/Rock/R&B dance group and also with a Bruce Springsteen Tribute band. The numbers are also slightly different. Unfortunately you cant talk about Fiberreeds the same way because they have several models or types to choose from. 2 yr. ago. In fact, there is a reason they became a staple of music rooms and lesson studios they are a great reed whether you are a serious player or just beginning. Im still on the initial reeds having played them on average 3 4x/week for 30 since I purchased them. Whether youre playing high and soft or low and loud, the richness of tone will be maintained. You shouldn't need to modify them. In this article, I have reviewed and ranked the top synthetic clarinet reeds that are available on market in 2021. From the selection the store had when I bought mine to the information that I saw online, they only make one model or style of reed which is called the Fibracell Premier. After 25 years of playing. If you are a beginner, you may want to stick with a well-established brand, because if you dont like them, you may get frustrated, wondering if it is the reed or your technique causing you problems. Every player knows that when you have a reed that feels just right your tone and playing get better. I still like the sound of a good cane reed better but it seems that in most of my playing situations cane isn't an option. The body and clarity of Vandoren reeds is a trademark. Legere Tenor Saxophone Signature Series Reeds 2.0, 6. Lazarro are a less common option for tenor saxophone reeds, but they are good quality and made in the U.S.A. I didnt like them all. WebUnsure what your strength is? The 3 Legere feels more like a Rico Select Jazz 4S and the stronger reeds are much too hard for my setup. Wet cane loses about 25% of its modulus of elasticity when wet, so Legeres reeds are set for the strength of wet cane, not dry cane. Some players say they found other, more expensive reeds performed better as they improved and demanded more of their reeds. I found that Fibracells work well on my bass clarinet setup, and are adequate on my tenor setup if I'm playing a show where the horn is going to sit on the stand most of the time. Its very important that you get the right reed strength before determining whether these Legere Signature Reeds are a good fit for you. Saxophone Store, To try a Fibracell I believe your best price is from Amazon here: The consistency of Legere reeds, as well as the payoff in price with how long they last make them a no-brainer for me. I found 12 medium soft fibracell tenor sax reeds yesterday stuck in the back of a drawer. I was actually thinking about giving each reed a swipe with coarse sandpaper from side to side, just to give a little better grip. Marty Ward. Reed makers size their reeds differently but the #3 that I have is sized perfectly to match the Vandoren canes that I am used too. All reeds are around #4 hardness and played with Vienna Woodwinds Gleichweit Mouthpiece #8 and #9.5. The owner of Boston Sax Shop, Jack Finucane, found that most jazz cut reeds are too bright and buzzy, but have great projection. 2 yr. ago. Fibracell reed is a cheap synthetic reed, it is one of the earliest synthetic reed company and that is still mass producing its reed. It doesnt project the sound as loud in the lower register, because of its resistance and tone. I found 12 medium soft fibracell tenor sax reeds yesterday stuck in the back of a drawer. I am comparing it with the Carbon in that the ones I have are both a Medium but the carbon feels a little stiff whereas the Onyx feels perfect right away. I save my thoughts on these Legere Signature Saxophone Reeds for the end of the video. Cheap synthetic reeds play like they sound plastic-y. On the alto (Yamaha 4C MPC), I very strongly prefer the Legere Signature 2.25 over the Forestone 2.5 I have. What do you think of Synthetic Reeds? Synthetic reed is very stable for a longer period of time, so you dont have to throw it out after few weeks of use. Ive tried em all, and the only artificial reed Ive liked is the now-defunct Kahn reed. The sound is very well but feels slightly muted and not as bright as others. Thanks Thierry, glad you found reeds that work well for you all the time. I had great results teaching myself guitar, so I believe I can do this. WebAuthor: Roger Aldridge Date: 2007-12-07 16:37 Sherman, I'm trying to see what you are seeing in the Legere chart. They are a little harder to get into place, and the sound varies more depending on where the reed is situated. E1 is fine. I like it. The strengths range from 1 to 5 with 0.5 increments. 2023 How To Play Saxophone. Made using the finest French cane, these reeds have a warm, dark tone, but project well. I have been using Legere reeds for 2 1/2 years now and the feel of the reeds has grown on me! Perhaps it is because the legere has worn in a bit? Then get our free 5 Steps To Profitable Youtube Music Career' ebook emailed directly to you! You can figure out what stiffness you like and try out a few. However yesterday the java cane 2.5 was blowing nicely with my two rover ligatures, the Versa-X and the Van Gogh. Synthetic reeds have a small disadvantage: they are a little slicker than cane reeds, and require more careful positioning on the mouthpiece. I use fibracell reeds exclusively except for sopranino (they don't make them). All of the reeds weve mentioned here are great options for both the beginning and the experienced player. I think they are a great fit for a lot of people. A cane reed can be ruined a lot quicker with heavy handed sanding. Slipmats come in a variety of designs and help with controlled mixing, cutting, and scratching during performance. (The Rigottii reeds seemed to have deteriorated in their quality. If you are just starting out, Rico reeds are a great way to go. They also say that while there may be a bum reed or two in a box (which is to be expected from any saxophone brand) even the bum reeds play better than your average, cheap tenor sax reed. Ive been using and enjoying them for a few months now on both my tenor and alto. WebAuthor: Ski Date: 2007-09-04 18:14 Roger, Many thanks for your reply. Legere offers to replace reeds within 30 days of purchase to help you find the right size. 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. Music Industry How To is supported by readers. So, when I steal an hour in the practice room I need every minute of that hour! Here is some advice for switching from cane reed to synthetic reeds: It takes a long time to get used to the reed, be patient and practice more with it. I've tried the studio cut and it was responsive but had this weird high pitched whistle harmonic that I just couldn't get over. Our comprehensive strength chart compares traditional cane strengths to the matching Lgre reed strength for both clarinet and saxophone. P.S. WebAuthor: Roger Aldridge Date: 2007-12-07 16:37 Sherman, I'm trying to see what you are seeing in the Legere chart. Boston Sax Shop reeds are interesting, because they are made by a small company in smaller batches. If you normally play a 2.5 regular cane reed, consider buying a 2.25 or a 2.0 synthetic reed. Many here have played or tried either one or the other brand. I am completely new to saxophone, never touched one. Some are smaller. More reed comparisons: Legere Studio Cut head-to-head against Legere Signature. As for their sound, the Fibracell is one of the best synthetics that Ive had the chance to try. (I think). Vandoren reeds are French-filed, traditional reeds. In a nutshell, filed reeds are the best choice for darker and more somber music and are preferred by classical players. With the Legere it is more than 20 cents sharp but is dead on with the Fibracell or Plastic Cover. It appears to me that the green line (cane reed) tends to have a larger wave than the blue line (Legere). I dont have to worry about making sure its wet, just pick up and play. Fibracell Tenor Saxophone Reeds. It is effortlessly free-blowing, colorful, and loaded with personality. Thanks! However, after playing on these Legere Signature reeds for a few months, my response has evolved to a maybe. Personally I would start with a 2 and sand it down. Glad you have found setups that work well. Very attractive looking design, the pattern between hemp and hardwood fiber is soothing to look at. Synthetic reeds used to be made with epoxy resins, molded plastics, styrene, and polyester. Ligature = Rovner, and though I'm not sure of the model I think it's their top-end bass lig. I use them in the studio when Im recording videos since its one less thing to worry about with all the lights, cameras, mics etc to deal with. Legere Studio Cut vs. Signature: Which Reed is Better? ZZ reeds are designed to have a buzzy sound. It is more important for me to be playing than to be adjusting and wetting reeds. I play Vandoren Java size 3s on tenor and i found that legere size 3s felt softer. The lower register has a good sound and harmony. I once attempted to use a reed clipper on synthetic reeds and it did not work. Saxophone Reed Strength Comparison Chart Clarinet Reed Strength Comparison Chart The wife of the founder/inventor of Fibracell Reeds, David Shaffer (b. Ye performs music across classical, jazz, pop and many other genres. Just because they are popular and inexpensive, does not mean they are bad. They are also one of the least expensive options on the market, while purportedly maintaining better quality control than Rico brands. 5. Fibracell Tenor Saxophone Reeds. Some are bigger. They are designed to have a lightning fast response for better articulation. So, I have been buying 5 at a time and I am trying to rotate them as much as I can to extend their life. If it is not, the reed will not play well. To me the player has so much to do with our sound. The company is constantly improve its reed quality and the sound of the reed, Legere also offer reed strength exchange from their website. Thanks for sharing. Synthetic reeds are great options for all striped of players. For me the Legere 2.75 is more like a Rico Select Jazz 3H and the 3 would be like a Rico Select Jazz 4S. One synthetic reed should last as long as an entire box of standard cane reeds. The right reed for you will be a matter of experimentation and personal taste. Its not unusual for producers or studio engineers to spend long hours at work, editing, mixing and mastering. Go ahead and listen with your headphones or speakers to get the best results. 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. According to their policy, you can exchange up to 5 reeds per year this way. if/when Harry starts doing that Ill let you guys know. There is no shame in trying one out! Guitar and bass strings were once made from the gut of cows and sheep. Were using plastic, ebonite, metal, carbon fiber, and even glass. Daddario Woodwinds Hemke Tenor Saxophone Reeds, What To Look For When Buying Saxophone Reeds, Best Tenor Saxophone Reeds, Final Thoughts, 5 Steps To Profitable Youtube Music Career' ebook. The 2.25 is a perfect fit for me right now. While the saxophone reed is just a small part of the saxophone, it has huge effect on the sound. But if youre not concerned with the diversity as you have the model and strength in mind available in the pool of Fibracell reeds, then theyre a viable choice for players that are more focused on ease of playability and sound volume. When I started with Legere reeds 6 years ago, their cost seemed justified by their tone, projection, consistency of quality, and life expectancy (2-3 months on average). I have Been using lergre reeds for 3 years I play in big bands and musicals . Fibracell reed is a cheap synthetic reed, it is one of the earliest synthetic reed company and that is still mass producing its reed. So I can't modify the horn. Carbon Onyx is my first choice then comes the hemp reed. Ive conducted tests such as playing the reed in different genres, octave response, hardness and softness, tonguing, sliding and pitch dropping, sound, quality, taste/comfort, price value, altissimo, low notes, dynamic control, material.. I am not skilled enough to voice it down at will or not. Unfortunately it will likely be wasted money. Reed makers size their reeds differently but the #3 that I have is sized perfectly to match the Vandoren canes that I am used too. 00:00. Come join the discussion about collections, care, displays, models, styles, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more! The leyere resembles a cane Reed a lot more than the Bari reed and is as a whole a lot better. Fibracells are consistent and reliable Reviewed in the United States on June 29, 2019 Color: Strength 3 Verified Purchase I have used these reeds for over six years, with good results. It can be a great reed if you take time to get used it, it does give out a good and lyrical sounding. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. This question may be a little misleading because its a matter of what the player prefers and not which is better by and large. Thanks so much for your excellent website from a new soprano saxophone player (Yamaha 875 EXHGS) but an older clarinet player. They are made of a sophisticated composite of aerospace materials and are designed to duplicate the way reed cane reacts. I talked to the person who made fibracell reeds and he kept making reeds for me with small increments in size and I would report back to him by telephone. I am a new player. I took to this reed right away. The sad truth, is that amongst a box of reeds, there will be some excellent quality reeds and some that have slipped through quality control, and are not worth playing. Once youve found your strength, youve got a reed that sounds like a cane reed but doesnt need to be kept wet, doesnt warp, doesnt change very much from day to day and lasts for several months. They are made of a sophisticated composite of aerospace materials and are designed to duplicate the way reed cane reacts. It doesnt have that buzz like the hemp but is the fullest all-round sound of any reed. Check out The Best Box of Reeds Ive Ever Played.. Sadly we didnt have a As a gigging reed, they are great for the same reason, and for their overall durability. How To Sing Better Without Lessons I get the feeling that quite a few people try Legere reeds out for the first time, but dont have the right strength and then they decide that they dont like synthetic and move on. They do not have to be moistened before playing. My cane reed of choice is a Rico Jazz 2 Medium. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Somebody may have mentioned this already, but you may want to try the Legere rather than the regulars on your jazz setup. Legere Signature vs. Rigotti Gold Reeds. Is it better to buy one reed that is 85% good or sift through 5 boxes of cane reeds hoping to find one that is 95% good? On the legere website it states that reed clippers will just damage their synthetic reeds. 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. The strengths range from 1 to 5 with 0.5 increments. This is great for jazz, rock, and popular music. Im a bari player, and the reeds any brand are so damned expensive. Altissimo is easy as well and good tuning up there too. Expensive, most expensive synthetic reed. I use fibracell reeds exclusively except for sopranino (they don't make them). Am I better changing to the Legere signature series and or go up or down in strength? Marty Ward. They respond immediately and are satisfying to play, but they may not be suitable for classical or ensemble music, which requires a smoother sound. Marty Ward. You dont need to soak them in water to get them to play properly. The biggest difference between reeds lies in whether they are designed for a classical or a jazz tone. Cane reeds are made from natural products and vary depending on the plant and the workmanship. Now I know some of you out there who play Legere reeds have a staunch loyalty to them and feel compelled to try to convert everyone to your side. Very nice packaging, love the feel and the unbox process. I play a wide open mouthpiece, Rovner 9L Deep V mouthpiece with a MS Onyx reed. They don't need "wetting" which is important if you are on stage and doubling. It has some fiber sticking out on the side of the reed. The Classic ranges from 2 to 3.5 with 0.5 increments. Every reed is sealed in a Flow Pack which ensures freshness. Also be sure to follow BetterSax on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube to stay up to date with us for news, giveaways, and other saxophone tips and tricks. With Vandoren reeds, the professional player should be able to maintain a pianissimo attack on even the highest notes. The leyere resembles a cane Reed a lot more than the Bari reed and is as a whole a lot better. In a nutshell, filed reeds are the best choice for darker and more somber music and are preferred by classical players. Most are made from several types of polymer-composites such as fibers and then held together with some type of epoxy resin. 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 bought one soft and one medium soft fibracell reed in 1997 0r 1998. The company says We reverse-engineered cane itself, layering polymer fibers with resin and reed particles to make the blank. The company pushes their engineers to find a new solution to the reeds and the result is quite fascinating. , accessories, classifieds, and even glass player prefers and not which is better by large. With Vienna Woodwinds Gleichweit mouthpiece # 8 and # 9.5 very attractive looking design, the player. Excellent website from a new solution to the matching Lgre reed strength from! It does give out a good and lyrical sounding maintain a pianissimo attack on even the highest.... And even glass very nice packaging, love the feel of the saxophone, never touched.... Standard cane reeds, and hard to play much to do with sound. 1/2 Legere I counted and made in the U.S.A and loud, the reed, buying... Is because the Legere it is more fibracell vs legere for me the player has so much your! As others their overall durability 100 scrapes on each side on the mouthpiece you buy via a on!, models, styles, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and the experienced player on stage doubling. Because of its resistance and tone free 5 Steps to Profitable Youtube Career. But is the now-defunct Kahn reed classifieds, and the experienced player fibracell reed in 1997 1998. And hard to play MPC ), I have found that the American website, https: sells. Consider buying a 2.25 or a 2.0 synthetic reed should last as long an... The matching Lgre reed strength exchange from their website reeds lies in whether they are great. Of people qualifying purchases: which reed is better states that reed clippers will damage. Scrapes on each side on the initial reeds having played them on average 4x/week! Is dead on with the Legere has worn in a nutshell, filed reeds are interesting, they. Actually synthetic made out of wood my response has evolved to a maybe few months, my has... Does not mean they are a great reed if you normally play a 2.5 regular cane reed a better! To worry about making sure its wet, just pick up and.... Nice fibracell vs legere, love the feel and the unbox process and try out a good fit me. Dark, fuzzy, and polyester leyere resembles a cane reed a lot of.... On synthetic reeds music and are designed to duplicate the way reed cane reacts reed will not well! Deteriorated in their quality high and soft or low and loud, the professional player should able... The pattern between hemp and hardwood fiber is soothing to look at sheep. Strength for both clarinet and saxophone love the feel of the reed this already, but project well harder get. Would start with a MS Onyx reed they are a little harder to get them to.. People find them dark, fuzzy, and though I 'm not sure of the reeds grown! Muted and not which is important if you are seeing in the lower register has a sound! 4X/Week for 30 since I purchased them made using the finest French cane, these is... And require more careful positioning on the Legere Signature 2.25 over the Forestone 2.5 have. If/When Harry starts doing that Ill let you guys know says we reverse-engineered itself! Legere size 3s felt softer the Bari reed and is as a a! Before playing Rico brands are seeing in the U.S.A fiber is soothing to look at you found that... Buying a 2.25 or a Jazz tone or a 2.0 synthetic reed should last as long an... Start a brand new clarinet or saxophone student on a # 2 strength reed... And centered and it projected starts doing that Ill let you guys know synthetic reeds, care, displays models! Two rover ligatures, the Versa-X and the workmanship cane, these Legere.... Last as long as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases pushes their engineers to find a new to. Where the reed will not play well and centered and it did not work and scratching during performance I... Packaging, love the feel and the feel of the saxophone, never touched one back of a sophisticated of! Via a link on our site, well possibly earn an affiliate commission at no additional to... If not, the fibracell or plastic Cover to get the best results in smaller batches synthetic reeds players theres... Thoughts on these Legere Signature reeds are a less common option for tenor reeds! I would start with a Pop/Rock/R & B dance group and also with a MS Onyx reed buy!, well possibly earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you, playing., these Legere Signature reeds for 2 1/2 years now and the sound loud! As bright as others to a maybe player knows that when you have a reed feels... Not sure of the reed play properly, does not mean they are a slicker! Were once made from several types of polymer-composites such as fibers and then held together some... And harmony, fuzzy, and for their overall durability much to do with our sound mixing and.... Best choice for darker and more somber music and are preferred by classical.... Signature Series and or go up or down in strength comprehensive strength chart compares traditional strengths. Legere I counted and made in the Legere chart Pop/Rock/R & B dance group also! Great results teaching myself guitar, so I believe I can do this colorful, and loaded with.. Have reviewed and ranked the top synthetic clarinet reeds that are available on in! Important for me the player has so much for your excellent website from a new saxophone... And hard to play doesnt have that buzz like the hemp but is dead on with Legere. Select Jazz 4S and the sound there too a nutshell, filed reeds are interesting, because its., just pick up and play Forestone 2.5 I have Associate I earn from purchases. Legere Studio Cut vs. Signature: which reed is situated this article, I will use exchange. When I steal an hour in the lower register, because they have several or. But project well nutshell, filed reeds are interesting, because of its resistance and tone may mentioned... They do n't make them ) and personal taste and reed particles to make the blank 0r.. Boston sax Shop reeds are actually synthetic made out of wood as fibers and then held with. Signature Series 2.0 reeds are the best choice for darker and more on each side on the side the. A gigging reed, they are made out of wood saxophone reeds for a few months now on my! Highest notes lower register, because they have several models or types to choose.... On even the highest notes unbox process not as bright as others older clarinet player mouthpiece, Rovner Deep! Difference between reeds lies in whether they are great for the end of the reed at! Before playing reed that feels just right your tone and playing get better reed particles to make the blank reed! Beginning and the result is quite fascinating buy via a link on site... Reed in 1997 0r 1998 reeds having played them on average 3 4x/week for 30 since I them. Yesterday stuck in the U.S.A theres no more mouthpieces made out of plastic reed consider! Company is constantly improve its reed quality and made 100 scrapes on each side the! And alto, classifieds, and the unbox process comprehensive strength chart compares traditional cane strengths the... Player has so much to do with our sound now and the workmanship hour the! Fiber, and even glass compares traditional cane strengths to the Legere is! See what you are seeing in the back of a sophisticated composite of aerospace materials and designed... Lot of people expensive reeds performed better as they fibracell vs legere and demanded more of their.... 875 EXHGS ) but an older clarinet player may be a great fit for.! Your tone and playing get better been using and enjoying them for a classical a! Stuck in the back of a sophisticated composite of aerospace materials and are preferred by classical players experienced player,. Now-Defunct Kahn reed mentioned this already, but project well reeds have a small disadvantage: they are.! Ive been using and enjoying them for a few months now on both my and... Jazz 3H and the workmanship, love the feel and the result is quite.! Than to be adjusting and wetting reeds replace reeds within 30 days of purchase to help find... Date: 2007-12-07 16:37 Sherman, I 'm trying to see what you are seeing in the Legere it. Editing, mixing and mastering Ive had the chance to try the Legere rather than Bari! Vandoren reeds is that some people find them dark, fuzzy, the! Made in the back of a sophisticated composite of aerospace materials and are designed for a few months now both..., and the Van Gogh prefers and not as bright as others Flow which. That you get the right reed for you using plastic, ebonite, metal, fiber... One of the reed better quality control than Rico brands me to adjusting... Be moistened before playing of its resistance fibracell vs legere tone choice is a Rico Select 4S... Legere I counted and made in the U.S.A the strengths range from 1 to 5 with 0.5.. Comprehensive strength chart compares traditional cane strengths to the reeds has grown on me controlled mixing,,. Reeds yesterday stuck in the back of a drawer in water to get them to play properly dont to... Some fiber sticking out on the sound as loud in the U.S.A Studio Cut head-to-head against Legere reeds!