Review: Légère American Cut reeds
Thank you Légère for sending me a couple of these
American Cut reeds for testing.
I usually play
Vandoren ZZ (Jazz, strength 3) and was curious about these so when Légère approached me for a test for their new product I was enthousiast.
Let me tell you first that I am very satisfied with Vandoren and proud to be BeNeLux endorser. I am playing a Vandoren mouthpiece and ligature, read more about my setup
here.
There are situations though, where an even more constant product would be handy. The weak point of a normal reed is the material, cane. Cane is depending on the humidity. Therefore, a reed that plays great at home, can be an unconvenient surprise at the gig.
Vandoren changed its packaging so the cane reed is vaccuumed until use, where reeds of other brands are often totally dried out because of poor packaging. Légère fixed this in another way by using different material.
On the
website I read: "Polypropylene does not have to be preconditioned before playing nor does it absorb any water. It is completely non-toxic, highly durable and can be easily sanitized with warm water and a mild detergent."
So I can wear lipstick and wash it off, I could even swap reeds with a colleague if I wanted!
The material makes it possible to be played in any kind of weather, which makes it attractive when playing outside, in the heat/cold, when travelling/touring.
Légère reeds have been existing for a long time, there were known to be these quite stiff reeds which last forever..
The American Cut is a new, more flexible reed which almost feels like a conventional reed.
The playing feeling I would descibe as a sensation one has to got used to. A cane reed feels more organic and rough on the tongue and even has a certain pleasant wood taste to it, while the American Cut feels plastic and more polished. Which is better? I guess there is no better, it's different.
It's a great product and I cannot wait to try it live at a gig...
on 12/01/2021
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