I've become a total convert to the cane coming out of South America these days. I started by trying Zonda clarinet reeds on the advice of Dr. Lawrence Gibbs and his mentor, Tom Riddenour. I still play Zonda on clarinet, but am now playing Gonzalez reeds on my saxophones. I like the fact that they come in quarter strengths.
Years ago I played Olivieri reeds on alto which are sadly no longer made. The Gonzalez performs more like them than any other reed I've tried.
Fernando Rowies said:
I´m using Vandoren V16 2.5 (the best for me nowdays). I will try a Hahn synthetic in the meantime.
Hi Fernando, nice to meet you here!
I use the following reeds:
Tenor Sax: ZZ Vandoren # 3
Alto Sax: Vandoren Java red No. 3
Soprano saxophone: Rico jazz select No. 3 m
Baritone Sax: Forestone M
I think this configiração is excellent for evenness of the sounds of all instruments. I found the balance that I sought.
I've been using LaVoz forever, so I guess they've been my favorites. Usually use Med/Soft on tenor, alto, & soprano (which I use clarinet reeds on), and when playing outdoors in hot &/or humid weather, I use a Rico Plasticover 2 on tenor, & maybe on the others to be on the safe side (wilted, flaccid reeds make little music)...
Would love to find the perfect synthetic reed when there is one....
I'm always experimenting. Currently I like Vandoren V12 and Fred Hemke for classical-type stuff. I like Rico Jazz and Alexander DC for jazz. I've tried lots of brands, and I've had good ones and bad ones in every brand. Francois Louis makes good jazz reeds well. To many of his classical reeds fail the mouthpiece suction test, so I can't use them; which is a shame, because I like their sound. One important thing I have to remind myself of is that a bad-sounding jazz reed (regardless of brand) will often make a great-sounding classical reed, and vice versa. Don't throw it in the compost pile until you've tried it with both your setups.
