I bought a range of synthetic reeds to try out - Legere, Fibracell, Forestone, Fiberreed. Legere was the only one to have an exchange policy and since I usually play a 3 cane reed I found theirs too hard. They sent me a 2 1/4 which is just about right but let me keep the 3! So I got some very fine glass paper and laid the reed flat and sanded it (away from the tip) a little and it did soften so I use it as a practise reed - it got a crack down the middle but still plays.
Thanks for your reply Patrick and for the tips about using the paper to soften your 3! I've got a video about softening Legere reeds as well if you ever want to try that method.
You're getting some good SEO placement now---should up your views. Thanks for the vid. I didn't know about Legere's exchange policy. I got 2.75 in the AC and Signature and they're too hard for my new setup (Jody Jazz 6 HR with Rovner dark mp on an old beat-up Vito tenor).
Thanks for your comment Orla! Yes, I would find the 2.75 reeds on a Jody Jazz 6 too hard as well. I have a Jody Jazz DV NY 6 that I play a 2 Legere American and Signature on. They are probably too soft for that mouthpiece for most people but I like that combo.
Hi Hans Kok! I've never boiled a reed BEFORE fully breaking it in, so I can't say for sure. I would generally recommend putting 3 hours of play time into it first to loosen it up just a bit, and THEN boiling it if it seems too hard. Here's my video on boiling reeds, which I'm guessing you've maybe seen already... th-cam.com/video/GiA7NjRP2cY/w-d-xo.html
A very interesting and helpful observation - thanks for sharing.
Thanks for leaving a comment Apistosig! Glad it was helpful.
I bought a range of synthetic reeds to try out - Legere, Fibracell, Forestone, Fiberreed. Legere was the only one to have an exchange policy and since I usually play a 3 cane reed I found theirs too hard. They sent me a 2 1/4 which is just about right but let me keep the 3! So I got some very fine glass paper and laid the reed flat and sanded it (away from the tip) a little and it did soften so I use it as a practise reed - it got a crack down the middle but still plays.
Thanks for your reply Patrick and for the tips about using the paper to soften your 3! I've got a video about softening Legere reeds as well if you ever want to try that method.
You're getting some good SEO placement now---should up your views. Thanks for the vid. I didn't know about Legere's exchange policy. I got 2.75 in the AC and Signature and they're too hard for my new setup (Jody Jazz 6 HR with Rovner dark mp on an old beat-up Vito tenor).
Thanks for your comment Orla! Yes, I would find the 2.75 reeds on a Jody Jazz 6 too hard as well. I have a Jody Jazz DV NY 6 that I play a 2 Legere American and Signature on. They are probably too soft for that mouthpiece for most people but I like that combo.
Thank you for the tip. One question, if you soften a new reed in boiling water right away, does the reed still soften more when you start playing it?
Hi Hans Kok! I've never boiled a reed BEFORE fully breaking it in, so I can't say for sure. I would generally recommend putting 3 hours of play time into it first to loosen it up just a bit, and THEN boiling it if it seems too hard. Here's my video on boiling reeds, which I'm guessing you've maybe seen already... th-cam.com/video/GiA7NjRP2cY/w-d-xo.html