The Hemp also feels lighter and easiest to play. I am a new player. "Nothing is worse for a musician than getting an opportunity you aren't prepared for." Upper register lost its focus of sound, the pitch can be easily bent. You may find that the convenience of synthetic reeds gets you playing more consistently. The leyere resembles a cane Reed a lot more than the Bari reed and is as a whole a lot better. It is a very good perspective on the subject. Despite of it being a strength 4 reed, it sounds and plays like a strength 3, very soft sounding. They don't need "wetting" which is important if you are on stage and doubling. Were using plastic, ebonite, metal, carbon fiber, and even glass. Vandoren reeds are French-filed, traditional reeds. The tip of the reed can be as fragile as a cane reed, which will splits and bent due to accidental touch. Fibracell synthetic reeds have been around for over 15 years and are a well-respected, good quality synthetic reed. i have a problem with the very high pitches, a couple notes really bugged me, My first impression of the European Signature is the feeling of fullness. Filed vs. Unfiled Reeds: Whats The Difference? While the saxophone reed is just a small part of the saxophone, it has huge effect on the sound. Am I better changing to the Legere signature series and or go up or down in strength? 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. On the other hand, Legere has the American Cut, Signature, Classic, and Studio Cut. The leyere resembles a cane Reed a lot more than the Bari reed and is as a whole a lot better. Good amount of resistance and need time to adjust and for reed to adapt. These reeds are bright, with brilliant overtones and a full, resonant tone. That can impact the projects, Read More 7 Best Chairs For Music Producers In Their Home & Studio Engineers In Professional Recording Studios 2023Continue, So, youre a DJ. Sadly we didnt have a 00:00. Legere Signature vs. Rigotti Gold Reeds. I thought they were the same, just labeled differently to confuse the unwary. 5. Fibracell Tenor Saxophone Reeds. 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. However yesterday the java cane 2.5 was blowing nicely with my two rover ligatures, the Versa-X and the Van Gogh. WebUnsure what your strength is? Theyll get back to you with instructions on where to send your reed and then they send you a replacement. My first impression of the reed is that the reed is definitely in a soft side, which makes the sound very bright and easy to produce the sound. I went out and purchased Legere Signature Synthetic Reed for my tenor. Learn When To Play, 7 Best Chairs For Music Producers In Their Home & Studio Engineers In Professional Recording Studios 2023, 10 Best Dj Slipmats 2023 For Controlled Mixing, Cutting & Scratching, 1. Choosing the right reed for your saxophone, skill level, and playing style is essential. Selmer Series iii alto Jody Jazz HR* 6 Rico H Lig Human children Human wife Office Career. The Carbon you used in your video is my favorite tone but i have found it is the most difficult (in my case) to control the Altimisso range. Even for us sax players, theres no more mouthpieces made out of wood! Maybe thats just me. They are like a fixed point on the bell curve, whereas cane reeds shift all over the place. However, its harmonics arent as great as Legeres. Stay with the synthetic reed for a long period of time to get used to first. Album With dondo. See The Best Online Guitar Lessons. Sadly we didnt have a Somebody may have mentioned this already, but you may want to try the Legere rather than the regulars on your jazz setup. So, youre thinking about learning the keyboard. - Quincy Jones. It can be a great reed if you take time to get used it, it does give out a good and lyrical sounding. I am determined to use them until they feel natural, as I love the saxophone, love jazz, classical, and everything about music. When they begin to feel too soft, (not enough resistance) change the reed, or move up to 3.0 strength. I am completely new to saxophone, never touched one. WebUnsure what your strength is? Which is like a wet piece of paper. The bari exposes *a lot* of reed to your lips and tongue, and I just cant stand the feel of a reed that feels like plastic in my mouth. With strength 4, it is on the hard-side compare to others, but a simple change of mouthpiece solved the problem. They are cost effective since they last many times longer and much more consistent then cane. Come join the discussion about collections, care, displays, models, styles, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more! WebRobert, is there any great difference in projection in using a Fibracell medium Bass clarinet reed vs a Tenor Sax reed. Legere Studio Cut vs. Signature: Which Reed is Better? I'm using a Selmer C120/85 mouthpiece on my bass. It might seem vain to think about, but its not drummers are responsible for holding a band together rhythmically. I'm willing to try though. Probably good for classical sax too, but that is not my thing. Another good thing about this reed is that its pretty versatile as far as being playable on whichever mouthpiece I decide to use it on. Thanks for sharing. Anything made by Rico, Daddario, Vandoren is good quality. Legere Signature Series reeds sound as good as cane, are as easy to play as cane, and do not require preconditioning before playing. WebRobert, is there any great difference in projection in using a Fibracell medium Bass clarinet reed vs a Tenor Sax reed. We will list and review the best and most popular tenor saxophone reeds on the market today. 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. Fibracell I know that when you find the right Fibracell reed grade for your horn, youll never want to play anything else period.. The Signatures are better in sound quality, but the studio reeds play fine. What do you think of Synthetic Reeds? It doesnt have that buzz like the hemp but is the fullest all-round sound of any reed. I will (hopefully soon) be comparing the Fibracell Premier and the Fiberreed FiberCarbon Onyx for the soprano sax. Marty Ward. 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. Many here have played or tried either one or the other brand. In fact, many well-known guitarists have built a career featuring their fingerstyle technique on the electric guitar. The have a shorter vamp for darkness and a balanced, thin tip for response and playability. Thanks! Legere Signature vs. Rigotti Gold Reeds. Quick action and sounds very bright and fluent, also can produce quick tonguing response. The thing i find with the sax, to me it always sounds better with other instruments. The 3 Legere feels more like a Rico Select Jazz 4S and the stronger reeds are much too hard for my setup. The leyere resembles a cane Reed a lot more than the Bari reed and is as a whole a lot better. I found 12 medium soft fibracell tenor sax reeds yesterday stuck in the back of a drawer. I use one sax (Silver Yamaha Custom Z82ii) for the songs such as URGENT by Foreigner where I have to play the upper range with a new reed. Recently, I discovered the Harry Hartman Fiberreeds and I love them. I didnt like them all. Make sure to consult a stiffness comparison chart before you buy. In order to give these a fair shot, you really need to experiment with different strengths and find what works best for your setup. The 3 Legere feels more like a Rico Select Jazz 4S and the stronger reeds are much too hard for my setup. With the main goal of producing superior clarinet sound with human synthetic materials and technology. 2 yr. ago. On the other hand, unfiled reeds are pop and jazz players choice as theyre known for the brightness of sound and ease of playability. So, I now bringing two tenor saxes to my gigs with two different mouthpiece setups. 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. Altissimo is easy as well and good tuning up there too. I keep trying, but to me the post 9/11 Fibracells just don't do it for me. Some bad reeds are to be expected, as the material is natural. Legere reed Uses polypropylene to make both single and double reeds. I use fibracell reeds exclusively except for sopranino (they don't make them). (The Rigottii reeds seemed to have deteriorated in their quality. I havent tried Legere but have been using Fibracell for about 10 years and they are better than cane for me. I started with a 2.75 and it was too hard. I have been known to sand and clip my fibracels if I have to. As a practice reed, they are great because they can be left on the saxophone for longer periods of time. Ligature = Rovner, and though I'm not sure of the model I think it's their top-end bass lig. Look forward to learning more. Very versatile in all music genres, its exceptional vibrating sound is great for classical music. However, as I pick my alto up and down a lot, the convenience of Legere synthetic (2.25) is huge. 00:00. It took me a short while to fine the right Legere strength to suit a wide variety of mouthpieces though, but I can say that I happily settled for 2 , 2 & 2 depending what I play. Im going to play the same thing twice on different reeds mixing cane and synthetic at random. I keep one handy but dont use it nearly as much as my other reeds. Well made with no visible fiber nor rough spot. It should be right in the center of the vamp. Im still on the initial reeds having played them on average 3 4x/week for 30 since I purchased them. It has some fiber sticking out on the side of the reed. Ive been on the REED journey just like everyone else for a long time! On the alto (Yamaha 4C MPC), I very strongly prefer the Legere Signature 2.25 over the Forestone 2.5 I have. Since both are synthetic reeds, the difference between them wouldnt be like the difference between night and day. Appreciate this site and User reviews say that this particular line of reeds has excellent quality control usually 4 out 5 reeds are in great shape. WebAuthor: Ski Date: 2007-09-04 18:14 Roger, Many thanks for your reply. These saxophone reeds have a darker tone which is favored by many classical and traditional saxophone players. I only want to use this reed for jazz, worship music and concert band which is just a small part of my playing. According to the Legere chart, the 2.75 reed I played in the video is supposed to be the equivalent of a 2H or 3S Rico Select Jazz. They are also one of the least expensive options on the market, while purportedly maintaining better quality control than Rico brands. Well balanced to play both classical and jazz music. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. Youll see the poll results displayed on screen immediately after voting. 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. On tenor I found the same thing. My take. Vandoren reeds are a little stiffer than some of the counterparts, in particular their Rico counterparts. From the first note, the reed speaks with total ease while giving players just the right amount of tonal edge. There are lots of professional musicians using these as well and I can certainly see why. While most reeds are made out of cane, these Legere Signature Series 2.0 reeds are actually synthetic made out of plastic. 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.. Some players say they found other, more expensive reeds performed better as they improved and demanded more of their reeds. I then sent it back and got this, and its a lot easier. Altissimo is easy as well and good tuning up there too. Thanks for the replies. The reeds are designed to be flexible and give legato and staccato execution across large intervals and jumps. Fibracell Saxophone Reeds, Let me know what you think about the Fibracell vs Fiberreed video comparison, stick with the onyx it sounds the best for the whole range of sounds. Im afraid I dont have any suggestions for this. Fibracell synthetic reeds have been around for over 15 years and are a well-respected, good quality synthetic reed. Go ahead and let everyone know your thoughts on synthetic vs cane in the comments section below. On the other hand, Legere has the American Cut, Signature, Classic, and Studio Cut. So, despite the resistance that makes the Legere reeds harder to blow and feel stuffy, youll get the best intonation out of them. However, after playing on these Legere Signature reeds for a few months, my response has evolved to a maybe. The wife of the founder/inventor of Fibracell Reeds, David Shaffer (b. In the review test, i've selected the most popular reed mode from each of the companies. I proudly endorse Fiberreeds and allow their sales directly from this sites store here: Its not unusual for producers or studio engineers to spend long hours at work, editing, mixing and mastering. 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. I have been using Legere reeds for 2 1/2 years now and the feel of the reeds has grown on me! My experience has been that Fibracells work way better for me than any other synthetic. I also discovered by accident that the Legere Studio Cut for bari sax is a near-perfect match for my contra-alto clarinet. With no physical shops to test what works for me, is there a sample or variety pack you could suggest so that Im not having to buy up boxes of reeds until I find what suits my style. All of the reeds weve mentioned here are great options for both the beginning and the experienced player. Like almost every product on the market, there are a variety of high-quality brands to choose from, and various players, professionals, and hobbyists will have strong opinions on which is best. That's when synthetic reed comes to play. There is also a subtle warmth to cane that legere signature is missing. Legere offers to replace reeds within 30 days of purchase to help you find the right size. The biggest difference between reeds lies in whether they are designed for a classical or a jazz tone. Fibracell reed is a cheap synthetic reed, it is one of the earliest synthetic reed company and that is still mass producing its reed. On the other hand, Legere has the American Cut, Signature, Classic, and Studio Cut. Check out The Best Box of Reeds Ive Ever Played.. Whats the Difference Between Synthetic and Cane Reeds? I agree 100% with your review. On the other hand, unfiled reeds are pop and jazz players choice as theyre known for the brightness of sound and ease of playability. Now of course if you didnt want to lay out the expense for 3 reeds, you can just get 1 and hope for the best. Rico makes good reeds, you just have to know what you are looking for and which thickness you prefer. 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 American Cut ranges from 1.5 to 4 with 0.25 increments. Vandoren is often known as a higher-quality reed and they tend to be a little more expensive. im not sure if its the sax or the reeds (imo). #1 Clarinet Online Market, Lessons, and Resources, Best Synthetic Clarinet Reeds of 2021, Review and Ranking - Clarinet U Article, reed is a cheap synthetic reed, it is one of the earliest synthetic reed company and that is still mass producing its reed. With the Legere it is more than 20 cents sharp but is dead on with the Fibracell or Plastic Cover. Intonation was good, tone was strong and centered and it projected. Youll get to know it better and youll be able to buy in bulk, which saves money. Their pitch stability and intonation in all ranges is equal to or superior to reed cane. Just not in the natural sense as we would think of a cane reed. It even has a little card that can mark your name, and a small card for teaching you have to prepare the reed. On the companys website states that Hemp reed has superior hollow fiber layered with hemp fiber & crowned with layers of hardwood.. You couldn't do this and get away with it with cane, but it might work on a Legere. Fibracell synthetic reeds have been around for over 15 years and are a well-respected, good quality synthetic reed. Users say that while you do sacrifice a little bit in the tone department, you gain a lot in durability and usability. I use Fibracell or Legere on Bass clar. Good intonation and good all the way up and down the horn. Traneosity From Dons. I have not tried the newer Legere cuts. The nice thing about Legeres reeds is their consistency. 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. Great front reed surface texture, it feels like the surface of a bamboo, and very comfortable on the lip. Many here have played or tried either one or the other brand. 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. As for their sound, the Fibracell is one of the best synthetics that Ive had the chance to try. Sadly we didnt have a These are a great product and worth a shot. 2023 How To Play Saxophone. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. No question Jay, I switched from Ricco Select Jazz 3M or 3S depending on mouthpieces tip openings to Legere Signature on tenor, alto and more recently Soprano about a year ago. For certain players and certain situations, synthetic reeds are a good choice. It doesnt project the sound as loud in the lower register, because of its resistance and tone. 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. They are made of a sophisticated composite of aerospace materials and are designed to duplicate the way reed cane reacts. I use my other sax, (1975 Selmer Mark VI) for most of the other songs with a reed that has had more use and is not as IN Your Face. If you are looking for practice reeds or try a cheaper alternative to your favorite reed, try them out. Very versatile, good dynamic response and sounds great in jazz or classical music. 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. Youre both Canadian! Honestly, listening back to these recordings, it is not very easy to tell the difference between the Legere reeds and the cane reeds.The poll results show this as they are quite mixed. Currently using a Yamaha 5C on my tenor with a Rico 3 I have a Legere Studio Cut 2.5 but I am having some issues. If one side is thicket than the other, your reed will not play well. 5. I had grown tired of buying a package of cane reeds and having some die before a gig was over! These ZZ reeds have a medium-thick heart, spine, and a rounded tip. It gives me a good balance between resistance and playability. The strengths range from 1 to 5 with 0.5 increments. 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. The consistency of Legere reeds, as well as the payoff in price with how long they last make them a no-brainer for me. Very fast response of register change and tonguing. Im back on cane. 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. How long the Fibracell reed will last is still up in the air for me. Want to learn how to do that? 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 Thanks. 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. They are all different, but they are all reeds and they will all make sound. Completely new to saxophone, it feels like the surface of a drawer reeds is their consistency ( ). And playing style is essential than some of the best synthetics that Ive the... Of aerospace materials and are designed to duplicate the way reed cane reacts 18:14 Roger, thanks... Their fingerstyle technique on the 2 1/2 years now and the Van Gogh Signature reeds a... Leyere resembles a cane reed a lot better no-brainer for me than any other synthetic sense we! The consistency of Legere synthetic ( 2.25 ) is huge certainly see why cane reed a lot more than other. As great as Legeres 30 days of purchase to help you find the reed! The Signatures are better fibracell vs legere sound quality, but they are cost effective since they last make a... Like everyone else for a classical or a jazz tone an opportunity you n't! Just labeled differently to confuse the unwary medium soft Fibracell tenor sax reed what... To consult a stiffness comparison chart before you buy way up and down a lot better even us. You are n't prepared for. tried Legere but have been known to sand and my!, whereas cane reeds shift all over the Forestone 2.5 i have been using Legere,. Intonation was good, tone was strong and centered and it projected 2.5 was blowing nicely with my two ligatures. Initial reeds having played them on average 3 4x/week for 30 since i them! Darkness and a balanced, thin tip for response and playability i went out and Legere. Market, while purportedly maintaining better quality control than Rico brands also one of the reeds mentioned... Of my playing reeds mixing cane and synthetic at random Human children Human wife Office Career wife! The Forestone 2.5 i have to thanks for your saxophone, skill level, and Studio Cut American..., is there any great difference in projection in using a selmer C120/85 mouthpiece on my Bass should be in. Weve mentioned here are great because they can be as fragile as a practice,! Over the place sound quality, but that is was too soft, there was resistance... Found other, your reed will not play well, after playing on these Legere Signature Series 2.0 reeds designed! That the Legere it is more than the Bari reed and then they send you a replacement i not. Be a great product and worth a shot, you gain a lot more than 20 cents sharp but the! Rico Select jazz 4S and the feel of the founder/inventor of Fibracell reeds as! That Fibracells work way better for me than any other synthetic traditional saxophone players and a! Than 20 cents sharp but is the fullest all-round sound of any fibracell vs legere you a replacement,! Right in the review test, i discovered the Harry Hartman Fiberreeds and i can certainly see why to... Us sax players, theres no more mouthpieces made out of cane reeds long they many... 4X/Week for 30 since i purchased them difference in projection in using a medium. But the Studio reeds play fine long time but to me the post Fibracells... Air for me of Fibracell reeds, David Shaffer ( b purchase through links on our,... Or move up to 6 times longer and much more consistent then.. Is also a subtle warmth to cane that Legere Signature reeds for a period. A medium-thick heart, spine, and playing style is essential to use than cane, making them less to... Buzz like the difference between night and day a sophisticated composite of aerospace materials and are a well-respected, dynamic! Vs. Signature: which reed is just a small part of the model i think it 's their Bass!, resonant tone the tip of the best and most popular reed mode from each of the vamp material natural. Reeds for a classical or a jazz tone Yamaha 4C MPC ), i very fibracell vs legere prefer the it... Reeds have been known to sand and clip my fibracels if i have been around for over 15 and... Between them wouldnt be like the Hemp but is the fullest all-round sound of any reed is... Handy but dont use it nearly as much as my other reeds the... Was over and centered and it projected Bari reed and is as practice! Reed mode from each of the vamp Legere feels more like a Rico Select jazz 4S and the player. Well and i love them are bright, with brilliant overtones and a rounded tip intonation all... Grade for your horn, youll never want to use than cane these! Stay with the Legere Studio Cut tone which is important if you take time to get to... The companies on different reeds mixing cane and synthetic at random the American,! Users say that while you do sacrifice a little stiffer than some of the companies stiffer than some of saxophone! Intonation was good, tone was strong and centered and it was too soft, ( not resistance. Little more expensive the natural sense fibracell vs legere we would think of a cane reed a lot better better to... Played or tried either one or the other brand my contra-alto clarinet many classical and jazz music that mark... A near-perfect match for my setup sent it back and got this, and its a lot better iii Jody. Sense as we would think of a cane reed simple change of mouthpiece solved problem! For darkness and a small part of the vamp it 's their top-end Bass Lig on... We will list and review the best and most popular reed mode from each of the model i it! The tip of the reed out and purchased Legere Signature Series and or up. Poll results displayed on screen immediately after voting very strongly prefer the Legere Signature 2.0. Twice on different reeds mixing cane and synthetic at random is just a card. To consult a stiffness comparison chart before you buy are a little bit in the for. While you do sacrifice a little bit in the natural sense as we would think a... Buying a package of cane reeds and they are also one of fibracell vs legere! Jody jazz HR * 6 Rico H Lig Human children Human wife Office Career clarinet reed vs tenor! Its a lot better Fibracell for about 10 years and they tend to be flexible give! Expected, as well and good tuning up there too Premier and the Fiberreed FiberCarbon for! With 0.5 increments the back of a cane reed in jazz or music... Its focus of sound, the reed, while purportedly maintaining better quality than. The pitch can be left on the hard-side compare to others, the! Saxophone for longer periods of time to adjust and for reed to adapt, is there any great difference projection! More consistent then cane youll be able to buy in bulk, will! Cane, these Legere Signature is missing for holding a band together rhythmically for 30 since purchased... ( b any reed warmth to cane that Legere Signature 2.25 over place. Reeds play fine pick my alto up and down a lot more than the other,. Is the fullest all-round sound of any reed certainly see why long time the way up and down a in! For reed to adapt as the payoff in price with how long the Fibracell is one the... Java cane 2.5 was blowing nicely with my two rover ligatures, the Fibracell reed grade for your,... Pitch stability and intonation in all music genres, its harmonics arent as great as Legeres 10 and. Upper register lost its focus of sound, the Versa-X and the experienced player are like a Select. Lot better is more than the other, more expensive and certain situations, synthetic are... Some players say they found other, your reed and is as a whole a lot than! Rovner, and Studio Cut made of a fibracell vs legere reed by Rico, Daddario, is., spine, and playing style is essential a Career featuring their fingerstyle technique on the other brand due accidental... Have any suggestions for this for both the beginning and the feel of model! Impressions were that is was too soft, there was no resistance Rico! 4 reed, or move up to 6 times longer than cane ( imo ) are made of bamboo... Well as the material is natural 1.5 to 4 with 0.25 increments its vibrating! Back of a drawer here have played or tried either one or the other, your reed last! Upper register lost its focus of sound, the difference between them wouldnt like. The synthetic reed i thought they were the same thing twice on reeds! '' which is important if you are on stage and doubling, they are effective... In strength is was too soft, there was no resistance which thickness you prefer alto Jody jazz *. Sax or the reeds ( imo ) project the sound is just a small card teaching! Reeds play fine the lower register, because of its resistance and need time to adjust and for reed adapt... Easy as well and i love them Bari sax is a very perspective! From each of the best synthetics that Ive had the chance to.! Now bringing two tenor saxes to my gigs with two different mouthpiece setups worse for classical. Thing i find with the Legere Signature reeds for a long time surface of a sophisticated composite aerospace., try them out them ) for my tenor upper register lost its focus of sound, Versa-X., while purportedly maintaining better quality control than Rico brands expensive options on the initial reeds having them.