I do Hemke on basically everything with a few experiments on other stuff. Very warm and responsive, I personally love the tone for me. I find you can basically take a new one out of the box, slap it on and play it. They do have a reputation for wearing out quick, but when you can get almost all of them playing, its no big deal. They do warp after resting, but always play themselves flat in a few minutes. Thanks Sirvalor! Loved the video.
I think the thin tip of the Hemke reeds are prone to wearing out. But when I get stiffer Hemke, I know it will be a great player once it's been played in. The thin tip really helps with the response.
Thanks for the reed test! I also came to the conclusion that Hemke 2 1/2 are the best (cheaper) reeds for the tone I want. I am not sure about their durability and life-span though.
I wonder how much cheaper "cheap" reeds are considering their inconsistency. For instance, if you buy a box of 10 for $20 and half of them are unusable, the price per usable reed is effectively doubled.
@@TWO20 I had the same problem. Using a reed tool can help that a little. You don't need to buy a reedgeek for them either. I bought a tool for like 7$ off of Amazon. It's called like HSS Lathe Tool Bit or something like that. If you get one make sure it's the right size though. Mine is 5/16 × 5/16 × 2-1/2
@@isaiahd9947 I moved off of vandoren when I didn’t get a single playable reed out of a box of 5 twice in a row. I play rigotti reeds now, and I’ve had way less problems.every single reed is at least playable, which is far better than I got from vandoren
@@timtully8015 As someone getting back into sax playing, I found Vandoren quite frustrating to use. I have many boxes of Hemke. Nice sound even if you blow agressively but I use the Legere Signature right now the most to focus on getting back the sound I want consistently.
Royals are my reed of choice but it's worth noting that they are the same as the orange box except for being filed, goes to show that the whole 20 were really inconsistent! 😯
Really useful tests. Thank you. The La Voz reeds are not ranked numerically like most others, but verbally (SOFT, MED, HARD, etc). Can you tell me how those verbal rankings correspond to the other brands' numbers?
I think there are more official charts floating around on the internet, but I think the medium-soft corresponds to a 2.0, medium = 2.5, medium-hard 3.0. As compared to Vandoren green and red box
I played on Rico Royals for many years. Always liked them. Tried Vandoren blue box and did not care for them. Out of 10, only 3 Vandoren reeds were decent. The regular Rico reeds felt dead to me. Just didn’t sing like I wanted. I plan on a Legere American Cut now, which in many ways reminds me of the Rico Royals. I’m lazy and like the ease of synthetic reeds.
I am testing my new Chedeville RC 4 alto mouthpiece and tested it with a Hemke 2.5 reed I had laying around from when I bought a bunch of different alto reeds to test and never used it. My first reaction was that it was easy to play throughout the entire range with a dark, big tone. Was slightly buzzy for me but it was slightly rough at the front so may have got damaged so I will have to try new ones. I tried Rico orange box but like you, I found them inconsistant. I currently use Vandoren Traditional on that mouthpiece since I tried 4 and only one wasn't great and the other 3 played very similarly.
Adrienne - fabulous presentation. Reeds I think are a very subjective thing. Just coz' a reed is fabulous doesn't mean it will suit everybody. The unfortunate "lack of consistency" issue has given rise to numerous reed adjustment tools and and techniques which is fine for mature and experienced players but I always fear those not so wonderful reeds will really dampen a beginning players experience. Our young people really need all the help they can get. I like Hempke for Tenor and Royale for Alto while a very good (way more proficient playing friend) loves Gonzales Jazz, Steuer Jazz and Alexander's Superial NY reeds.
@@Sirvalorsax FWIW - Paula used to play RJS 3 soft - now plays Gonzales Jazz 3s, Alexander's 3s (either Superial DC or NYs which have thicker tip) and the Stuere Jazz 2.5s. The Steuer require a "good brake in period".
Good Sir, very nice. Thank you. Spot on. La Voz shoulda fared better but I use on alto. I guess we could all make woodworking improvement projects out of most, but who really wants to? I burn the ends of my good reeds... you can imagine how I treat the bad ones.
I use to do that when I was in college. (holding the reed against a coin and burning the tip) Brass players thought we were doing some mafia ritual of initiation. LOL
They weren't better though, inconsistent then and inconsistent now. But honestly, the costlier Vandoren reeds are no better in the consistency department. What are premium brands nowadays? Ishimori? Boston Sax Shop? Are those very consistent?
@@isaiahd9947 yea. Jack went for a thicker vamp on the reed, which is something you would see more in a classical reed. They are a lot darker than a traditional jazz reed, and they last forever if you buy them a little harder than you usually do
Thank you very much Sirvalorsax, these types of reviews are very helpful for saxophonists like me, who do not have the possibility of trying different brands of reeds. I would like to try the Hemke but I don't want to go wrong with the strength number, I am currently using the Vandoren Java Red 2.5 in a 7 * mouthpiece, so which Hemke number would be the most similar?
Does anyone of you guys do the paper trick ? Putting a piece of printer-paper on a flat surface (i.e. table or glass plate) and then rubbing the reed (bottom flat) over the paper for a minute. Then rubbing over the top flat side of the reed with another small piece of paper for a minute or so .. I did this with new and used reeds and it always was a big improvement for me in sound and playability .. as I understand it, the procedure polishes/closes the pores .. I'm just an eternal beginner LOL :)
Orange box reeds are very hit or miss! I probably started on these when I was on Clarinet back in late 60’s !
I do Hemke on basically everything with a few experiments on other stuff. Very warm and responsive, I personally love the tone for me. I find you can basically take a new one out of the box, slap it on and play it. They do have a reputation for wearing out quick, but when you can get almost all of them playing, its no big deal. They do warp after resting, but always play themselves flat in a few minutes.
Thanks Sirvalor! Loved the video.
Cool, thanks for watching
I think the thin tip of the Hemke reeds are prone to wearing out. But when I get stiffer Hemke, I know it will be a great player once it's been played in. The thin tip really helps with the response.
Thanks for the reed test! I also came to the conclusion that Hemke 2 1/2 are the best (cheaper) reeds for the tone I want. I am not sure about their durability and life-span though.
I wonder how much cheaper "cheap" reeds are considering their inconsistency. For instance, if you buy a box of 10 for $20 and half of them are unusable, the price per usable reed is effectively doubled.
My usual experience with vandoren is paying 30 bucks for 3 useable reeds
@@TWO20 I had the same problem. Using a reed tool can help that a little. You don't need to buy a reedgeek for them either. I bought a tool for like 7$ off of Amazon. It's called like HSS Lathe Tool Bit or something like that. If you get one make sure it's the right size though. Mine is 5/16 × 5/16 × 2-1/2
@@isaiahd9947 I moved off of vandoren when I didn’t get a single playable reed out of a box of 5 twice in a row. I play rigotti reeds now, and I’ve had way less problems.every single reed is at least playable, which is far better than I got from vandoren
@@TWO20 I'm relieved to see that other people have the same experience with Vandoren that I do. Could never figure out how anyone used them.
@@timtully8015 As someone getting back into sax playing, I found Vandoren quite frustrating to use. I have many boxes of Hemke. Nice sound even if you blow agressively but I use the Legere Signature right now the most to focus on getting back the sound I want consistently.
I found somebody else that seals their reeds! I thought I was the only one!
Great review thanks for the tips
I tried Hemke’s when they 1st came out in late 70’s/early 80’s . Maybe I’ll try them again
Royals are my reed of choice but it's worth noting that they are the same as the orange box except for being filed, goes to show that the whole 20 were really inconsistent! 😯
Really useful tests. Thank you. The La Voz reeds are not ranked numerically like most others, but verbally (SOFT, MED, HARD, etc). Can you tell me how those verbal rankings correspond to the other brands' numbers?
I think there are more official charts floating around on the internet, but I think the medium-soft corresponds to a 2.0, medium = 2.5, medium-hard 3.0. As compared to Vandoren green and red box
Thank you SirV. That helps a whole lot!
@@Sirvalorsax
I played on Rico Royals for many years. Always liked them. Tried Vandoren blue box and did not care for them. Out of 10, only 3 Vandoren reeds were decent. The regular Rico reeds felt dead to me. Just didn’t sing like I wanted. I plan on a Legere American Cut now, which in many ways reminds me of the Rico Royals. I’m lazy and like the ease of synthetic reeds.
I am testing my new Chedeville RC 4 alto mouthpiece and tested it with a Hemke 2.5 reed I had laying around from when I bought a bunch of different alto reeds to test and never used it. My first reaction was that it was easy to play throughout the entire range with a dark, big tone. Was slightly buzzy for me but it was slightly rough at the front so may have got damaged so I will have to try new ones. I tried Rico orange box but like you, I found them inconsistant. I currently use Vandoren Traditional on that mouthpiece since I tried 4 and only one wasn't great and the other 3 played very similarly.
I want to try the new Russeau from Jody Jazz to see how different they are. Jody Espina is crushing the game right now
The Henke has a nice rich sound !
always enjoy your videos, great info for sure. Oh... nice crown bag! lol I am a Gibson Rare fan now tho. Thanks again!
cool
Adrienne - fabulous presentation. Reeds I think are a very subjective thing. Just coz' a reed is fabulous doesn't mean it will suit everybody. The unfortunate "lack of consistency" issue has given rise to numerous reed adjustment tools and and techniques which is fine for mature and experienced players but I always fear those not so wonderful reeds will really dampen a beginning players experience. Our young people really need all the help they can get. I like Hempke for Tenor and Royale for Alto while a very good (way more proficient playing friend) loves Gonzales Jazz, Steuer Jazz and Alexander's Superial NY reeds.
Good info!!
@@Sirvalorsax FWIW - Paula used to play RJS 3 soft - now plays Gonzales Jazz 3s, Alexander's 3s (either Superial DC or NYs which have thicker tip) and the Stuere Jazz 2.5s. The Steuer require a "good brake in period".
Good Sir, very nice. Thank you. Spot on. La Voz shoulda fared better but I use on alto. I guess we could all make woodworking improvement projects out of most, but who really wants to? I burn the ends of my good reeds... you can imagine how I treat the bad ones.
I use to do that when I was in college. (holding the reed against a coin and burning the tip) Brass players thought we were doing some mafia ritual of initiation. LOL
Some of these "cheap reeds" used to be the premium brands...you look at old issues of Downbeat and they're all playing La Voz or Hemke.
I have a lot of those magazines
They weren't better though, inconsistent then and inconsistent now. But honestly, the costlier Vandoren reeds are no better in the consistency department. What are premium brands nowadays? Ishimori? Boston Sax Shop? Are those very consistent?
I love Peter Ponzol.
From personal experience, the BSS reeds are good stuff
I Can't wait to try them!
Definently. Got them recently and they are amazing! They remind me a little bit of the Vandoren Java Green reeds except less buzzy and more controlled
@@isaiahd9947 yea. Jack went for a thicker vamp on the reed, which is something you would see more in a classical reed. They are a lot darker than a traditional jazz reed, and they last forever if you buy them a little harder than you usually do
Thank you very much Sirvalorsax, these types of reviews are very helpful for saxophonists like me, who do not have the possibility of trying different brands of reeds.
I would like to try the Hemke but I don't want to go wrong with the strength number, I am currently using the Vandoren Java Red 2.5 in a 7 * mouthpiece, so which Hemke number would be the most similar?
Good sound❤❤❤
Does anyone of you guys do the paper trick ?
Putting a piece of printer-paper on a flat surface (i.e. table or glass plate) and then rubbing the reed (bottom flat) over the paper for a minute. Then rubbing over the top flat side of the reed with another small piece of paper for a minute or so .. I did this with new and used reeds and it always was a big improvement for me in sound and playability .. as I understand it, the procedure polishes/closes the pores .. I'm just an eternal beginner LOL :)
Yes, I also have extremely fine grit sand paper also
@@Sirvalorsax
What grit do you use?
Reed play-ins >>>> NBA play-ins
LOL
The Cake is a lie ... Best regards, an Aperture Laboratories employee
?
@@Sirvalorsax Just a pOrtal reference, never mind ;) ... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_cake_is_a_lie
@@Sirvalorsax Forget it, Valorsax. It's the Internet.