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Reed
Comparison Chart
Here we compare Alexander Reeds to other reeds, Suggested
Strengths While it is impossible to get exactly equivalencies
with other brands, here is what we suggest as general comparative
strengths which are roughly the same number. I.E. No.3 V16 is similar
to No.3 DC. Etc.
| If
you have been playing: |
Try
the equivalent strength number of: |
Saxophone: Lavoz / Vandoren Java/ Rico Standard
Clarinet: In the general
range of Vandoren Classical.
|
"Superial" |
Saxophone: V16/ZZ / Hemke / Rico Jazz, Jazz Select
/Rico Royal though DC has a slightly softer tip
than these.
Clarinet: In the general
range of Vandoren Classical.
|
"DC" |
| s
Saxophone: Vandoren Classical or other classical
cuts
Clarinet: In the general range of Vandoren
V-12.
|
"Classique" |
ALEXANDER SUPERIAL
The result of many months of developing and testing prototypes yielded
the original "Alexander Superial" which was designed to
produce a warm, resonant "buzz", good projection, even
scale throughout the registers, and a wide dynamic range.
This was in line with the tonal concept of the "American"
style single cut reeds, but with more developed heart and rear vamp
area. A reed with too much of the heart or this vamp section (towards
the back of the slope) taken out may seem easy to blow at first,
but it will not usually last as long and will tend to generate less
of a "spring" and natural resistance needed to produce
a really big sound.
We ran an extensive testing program with various professionals
and we were also fortunate enough to have the valuable feedback
from the renowned veteran mouthpiece maker Ralph Morgan, his excellent
crew and others.
After all our testing confirmed the good results of the final prototype,
we believed we had finally come up with a reed worthy of manufacture.
The combination of a new design influenced by traditional reed
making concepts (and therefore in essence "time proven"),
and the highest grade of cane we could find, became born as the
original Alexander Superial with its yellow labeled tin.
SUPERIAL "D.C." REEDS
After introducing Superial, we wanted to add another model to our
line which we thought might meet the needs of players who were looking
for a different style cut and tonal response.
Using the same cane, we made exhaustive tests and alterations to
fabricate a reed with somewhat changed response characteristics
from the original Superial, and thus the new Superial "DC"
(or "Double Cut) was created.
This reed has a slightly harder tip and more wood in the heart
and sides than Superial and therefore produces a more solid tonal
core, enhanced projection and power, and a little darker harmonic
palette.
For "DC" I was thinking in terms of a tonal concept reminiscent
of the saxophonists I had admired and been influenced by from the
1950's to the "Blue Note", "Miles" and "Trane",
and "Wayne" eras.
I also had in mind a reed of increased power that would be particularly
suitable for big band, stage band or marching reed players, as well.
So it was especially heartening when one of the leading voices
in the current world of the tenor saxophone, Joe Lovano, told me
that he loved "DC" and the way it performed for him. Now
we knew we must have been doing something right!
Since its introduction in 1995, "DC" seems to be especially
favored by professionals who need a lot of power and want to push
the reed to the limits of its dynamic capabilities, while still
retaining an even balance from top to bottom.
ALEAXANDER CLASSIQUE
In 1997, following the introduction of Superial and "DC",
we felt another line of reeds was needed to address the specific
needs of classical woodwind players.
Starting with the clarinet model, we tried to conceptualize what
kind of reed we could create that would provide musicians with a
wide palette of expression, and classically grounded performance
characteristics...those that produce a warm, dynamically balanced,
sonorously beautiful tone.
While investigating what direction of design we should pursue,
we knew that there had been a reed made years ago which classical
clarinetists spoke of in almost reverential tones. Although this
reed never became as commercially successful as some of the more
"name" brands, it had been in fact used by some of the
top clarinetists in the world, among them some members of the Chicago
Symphony clarinet section. To the lament of many, production ceased
some years back.
We worked on a prototype which was influenced by this reed's design,
but with certain improvements that we felt would actually make it
more suitable to present day musical settings. This same philosophy
was also followed for the saxophone models but with a
somewhat different profile design we felt would bring out the best
in that instrument.
We also had the advantage of using more accurate hardness testing
and cutting machines so we could manufacture a much more consistent
reed than the original model.
With testing feedback from some top professional classical clarinetists
and saxophonists, we arrived at the final design of this new reed
line christened "Classique". We went into production for
all models and Classique is now being used not only by classical
and concert performers, but any others looking for a darker tone
which this reed's harder tip and heart produce.
In Classique, we believe we have acheived our goal of capturing
the essence of that great traditional design, but with improvements
developed to enhance dynamic response, clarity and register balance,
which we feel produces a"singing" tonal quality that is
definitely classical in its conception.
Infomation from this page was taken from the Superial
Alexander Reed website
To enquire about anything on this page please
feel free to
contact us by clicking
here or phone (02) 9557
4588 |
