Légère French Cut Clarinet Reeds
Légère French Cut Clarinet Reeds
The French Cut reed is by far my favorite cut Légère makes. (I especially like their Tenor Sax French Cut on the Bass Clarinet, but I digress...). The French Cut is also their newest variety, coming out a few months after Vandoren released the VK1.
If you have tried Légère reeds in the past, and have not found success, I strongly encourage you to try these. I think they are a step up from the European Cut reeds in one important way: I find the tip of the French Cut responds MUCH more crisply, especially when articulating staccato. It's nearly cane-like. Impressive. Oh, and Légère claims these are "darker" than its European Cut sibling. Your mileage may vary, but there is more "meat" in the vamp, which gives the sound more body.
By the way, if you are used to the European Cut, just note that these run a hair softer—like maybe an 1/8 strength.
Now, I do not carry all of the Légère varieties — I'm not a fan of the Classic or the Signature cuts at all — but I do carry these French Cut, and the European Cut reeds.
Important note: these reeds on this page, are not returnable to Earspasm, however Légère offers a generous exchange program. Just click that link, fill out the form, and they'll exchange your reed.
No se pudo cargar la disponibilidad de retiro
I have been using Legere reeds exclusively since September 2023, although I have tried other synthetic reeds. Until that time, I used Vandoren reeds exclusively--V12 and V21, but others on occasion. After reeding (pun intended) many reviews, and talking with many clarinetists, I gave Legere reeds a try, and all I can say is that I wish I had done this earlier. Legere reeds are the best synthetic reeds available today. They are consistent at any strength, and play right out of the box. They need absolutely no adjusting (compared to cane reeds), and can last many months. And there is one bonus often ignored. Legere reeds are 35-40% less expensive than other synthetic reeds. Any serious clarinetist or saxophonist should consider trying Leger reeds, and make their own comparison between Legere and competing cane reeds. In the end, I believe that you will find that Legere reeds are as good, and more likely superior than any reed available today.
Next best thing to a great Vandoren reed - you know, one that you should rotate, but is so much better than your other good ones, you play it until (and beyond) it dies. If you haven’t played in a lot of Legere reeds, there is a break in period A little bit for the reed and much more for the player. You probably need to play on the reed daily for a couple of weeks before you can make an educated opinion. This is especially true for the altissimo register. Many will have a tendency to try to force the reed to play like a good wood reed. Hard to fight that tendency, but will not help…
I had been using Legere Signatures which fit the long lay on my mouthpiece well and sound good. The French cut sound better and project much better. High notes speak more easily. European cut have a short lay and don't work on my mouthpiece well, as the vamp is too short. Thank you Earspasm for quick, good service and shipping. Also appreciate the single reed sales, as I do like to try other reeds from time to time.
Yeah the title says it all. These reeds are officially my new favorite reeds hands down!! Everything about it is just amazing. It has such a dark tone and playing with this reed makes you not want to put down your clarinet!! :)
I have always felt that synthetic reeds just lacked all of the features of regular cane. They have always seemed dull to me. I do believe these are the closest to organic reeds. The exchange policy is also very good if you need to modify strength.