Contrabass Clarinet Reeds

Bb Clarinet French Cut

So far, I’m very happy with the Bb clarinet French cut. I have a 3.0 and a 3.25. I’m using a Vandoren 5RV Lyre-Profile 88. I’m enjoying not having to worry about changes in the weather. Much more consistency. I also find that soft entrances on higher notes are easier and more consistent.

Fantastic reeds! I am now using French Cut temptation both classical and jazz mouthpieces for that contemporary dark focused sound

Excellent response and consistency

I'm a seasoned saxophone player who recently started playing clarinet because I increasing have parts that require it. The doubling is a challenge because the clarinet sits for a long time waiting, then I need to pick it up and have it play seamlessly, which is tough to do with a conventional reed. The Legere reed solves the problem entirely! I just pick it up and play. I find I practice more as well, because I spend less time fussing with reeds and can just pick up the instrument in a spare 15 minutes. For my clarinet (an older wooden Revere), the European cut worked out better than the French cut. Nice clarity of tone across all ranges and very easy-playing. The only limitation has been that it is more difficult to get the highest notes popped out, but it may be that I need a higher strength. I was playing a 2.5 (barely) in a Rico or Vandoren cane reed, and started with a 2.75 in the European cut Legere. I will go up to a 3 for the next purchase (of which there will be many in the future!)

I am a long-time player and use Legere reeds for clarinet and alto, tenor and bari sax. I really appreciate their consistency and simplicity, and on balance, they are (in my opinion) a better $$ value than cane reeds.

Long time Légère customer, Van Doren V12 being the latest cane reed to be used (still sitting there in my reserve box).

Came in board with the first offered version. Not bad, pretty good. The item that grabbed my attention? Longer usability - quite impressive.

The next version, Standard cut, marginally better. Better tone quality but little did I know how the further development would become even more impressive.

The European cut was to become my preferred choice. Better response, less noisy in tone (to my late 60ish ears).. It gave me a better chance to blend with my fellow clarinetists in both a band and an orchestra setting.

The past two weeks, I've given the French cut a rigorous tryout.

Just when you think, they can't improve the product any more... 🙃

Great response. Great dynamic range (European allowed me a reasonable pianos sumo in the chalumeau and clarion ranges; this version takes me to pop), and I'm in love with the darkest the quality (I'm no longer in tone quality collisions with my orchestral neighbor until fatigue sets in - think "glove to a hand" or one instrumental color blending into one).

Waiting in anticipation as to what other mysterious revelations await!

Disclaimer;:

Larry Combs III (more open reed tip opening than the closed that is the general preference around these parts)

Reed strength: 3.0 (although I would be to try a strength halfway between this one and a 3 1/2 😉)

Last reed cane: Van Doren 3 1/2

My wife and I both play the Legere Euro Cut reeds on her Buffet Prestige bass clarinet. We’ve tried lots of different reeds but now only play with a 2.0 or 2.25 Euro Cut.

Great reed. Always ready to play.

First time in 50 years with a reed return... and handled in a few hours!
Really like the synthetics on larger winds, and with the myriad of offerings from Legere, they are the obvious choice in outfitting my new Buffet Low 'C' Prestige Bass. Legere quality and performance are commensurate with the Clark Fobes mp. You can research the specs on reeds & mp's 'till your eyes pop, but until you blow on that horn..... Thank you, Legere, for making this process so easy. Bravo! Will probably go with the BC European Cut, 2.5

Bass Clarinet European Cut

I got a 2.5 baritone saxophone reed for playing in my school's jazz band. It was too strong for my mouthpiece tip opening but it works very well with my Yamaha 5C mouthpiece for playing with a concert band ensemble. Legere is absolutely amazing with their exchange program and is very straightforward to help me get a softer American cut reed, I got to keep my original reed while they shipped the softer one very quickly, thank you so much Legere!

The 3.5 tenor sax reeds work great for me on bass clarinet. Thanks!

The reed arrived yesterday, 3-29-25. I immediately tried it out. This happened to be a replacement reed (thank you, Legere, for this remarkable exchange option). I ordered a #3-strength European cut reed. Response -- Excellent throughout the instrument range, warm dark sound throughout the range, performed consistently from pp to ff. This will not be the last Legere reed I'll buy. Outstanding product.

I did not have high hopes but this reed can really sound good and plays easily with decent intonation. Yes it is expensive but if you don’t have the time to make your own reeds it is worth it.