Légère Reeds - Alto Saxophone Reed, Classic, Strength 2.50 (AS2.50) - Premium Synthetic Woodwind Reed

I bought Legere reeds for alto and baritone(both strength 3)for the first time. I nearly always play Vandoren reeds otherwise in the settings described below:For the alto: I have been playing the alto with Vandoren reeds (blue box strength 2.5 and red box strength 3). I use a Vandoren Optimum ligature and both a Selmer Series E and Vandoren V16- A6 (M) mouthpieces. My saxophone is a Selmer Paris Reference 56. The Legere (strength 3) that I harder than the Vandoren 2.5 blue box and therefore the strength rating seems adequate. Its tone is even throughout the registry. It feels rather stiff when playing bflat, b and c on first evaluation - but certainly also as a result of a break-in period for our interplay (me and the reed). The best attribute is the fact that its sound has been consistent every time I use it and throughout a playing session. I recommend this reed for players that play daily for long periods as it provides an more than adequate sound quality which is consistent through time.For the baritone: Mouth piece I use is a Berg Larsen 100/2 with a Rovner Slim Hard rubber L75 ligature. I compare the Legere reed (strength 3) to a Vandoren blue box strength 3. My saxophone is a Yamaha 61. The hardness of both reeds are comparable and hence ballpark correct.The Legere reed does not have the warmth of the Vandoren reed and has a different feeling in the mouth. However, it provides for instant and consistent good quality sound. Excellent for (long) practice sessions. I still choose to play the Vandoren reeds when playing in public and the transition from playing Legere during practice to Vandoren during concerts is seamless.

A number of years ago I tried a Fibracell reed and thought it was terrible because of the un-natural sound it produces. I was somewhat skeptical about another type of non-cane reed, but decided to give the Legere a try. I bought the Classic style and had a very hard time getting sound out of it because it was so stiff, but the sound quality was excellent. I had been playing on a Rico (orange box) 2.5, which is the equivalent of the Classic in a 2.0, according to the Legere strength chart. There was no way I was going to be able to play on the 2.0, and the Classic only goes down to a 1.75. So I exchanged the Classic 2.0 for a Studio Cut 1.5; Legere allows you one reed exchange per purchase. The 1.5 plays very nicely, with a very natural and consistent sound. The only problem I've experienced on occasion is the buildup of moisture between the reed and the mouth piece. Since the reed is a synthetic material, the moisture does not get absorbed. Other than that, I'm very pleased with the reed.

This 2.5 is much stiffer than a real 2.5 reed. I'm not sure that the Legere 2.0 would be similar to a real 2.5. The good news is that the sound is good, certainly enough for practicing.

These are great for the Band Director who has to hop in and off different instruments all the time. Also great for extreme temperatures during marching band.

This is a fantastic invention for the pit doubler. Saxophone was not the first instrument I learned but it makes life a lot less stressful knowing that I have a reed I can just pull out and play without worrying about keeping it wet. Sound quality is obviously inferior to cane, but it makes up for that with its consistency. I've stayed away from synthetic reeds for quite a few years now, but this is making life much easier.

I was told that these run stiff but wow. These run really, really stiff. Just be aware of that. When the reed is right, however, I love them. Just be prepared to return a couple if necessary (they return to Legere in Canada not Amazon). Follow return directions carefully and it's pretty painless except for time.

It was the Christmas Parade in Rochester- my son's saxophone - out of six saxophones - was the only one working due to this amazing reed! His music teacher allows him to use it occasionally, the music teacher didn't like the ones we bought before. It's a great price and might save your Christmas parade!

The jury is still out on this reed, but so far it’s lasted as long a box of 10 regular ones and still good. My daughter uses it to play jazz. Her tone and range are great!

I agree totally with John Meanwood's review - although I don't leave the reed in place when putting my mpc back in it's case as I always use a clarinet mop to dry both the mpc and the neck.In my case, I decided to try a Legere reed to see if I found it any easier to use with my Trevor James Alphasax. Despite being a beginner at age 71 and with breathing problems (hence my reason for opting for the Alpha), I've had no real problems with either Rico or Vandoren cane reeds (My favourites being a Rico Royal 1.5 and 2.0). However, it seemed to be an experiment worth trying - albeit not a cheap one! It was - I've found the Legere 1.5 allows me to produce far cleaner, clearer notes than with even the Rico Royal. (Bear in mind that, as I said, I'm a beginner with breathing problems). I'm so enamoured of the Legere reeds that I've also bought 2.0 and 2.5 strengths in anticipation of making good progress. With both cane and Legere reeds, I use a Rovner Dark ligature and a Yamaha 3C mpc. Although not essential for Legeres, I keep my reeds in a Hodge case that I bought for use with cane reeds.

1.5 strength great, however find this 2 strength hard to play on. Takes immense power to get a note but also get a lot of hiss. No problem with stronger cane reeds. After researching could be incompatible with Yamaha 4c mouthpiece. Purchasing new mouthpiece soon so will try again. If it wasn't for the hiss would of carried on practicing with it to build stronger emboucher.

Would never go back to a cane reed now. Most salient point I think is the consistency. From the second you grab your sax to when you put it back in the case, the feel and tone stay exactly the same. No need to worry about wetting, drying, aging reeds, etc.In fact compared to the (admittedly low quality) cane reeds I've used, I find this one is more compliant and produces a much groovier sound when doing vibrato and bends.

There is nothing wrong with this but I personally fund it quite hard to play with

stiffer than regular reeds quoting same strength