M Hemp Fiberreed vs. MS Onyx Fiberrreed?

[john]

Thanks for the update Keith Some interesting points.
for sure the softer reed’s gonna close up a bit when pushed, that’s why and when we should move up to a stronger one….just as you did.
you’re in a good position now having a few good options available as you pursue your sound. it’s not all about the reed or any other one thing but a combination as you are now seeing.
as much as I like my Onyx M it doesn’t work as good on some other mp’s that I sometimes play so I will go back and forth in those cases.
fortnately it’s working as good as the vandorens on my main mp so I’m happy about that.
BTW, for a darker sound you may be better off relying on a different mp rather than on a reed.

[brother cavefish]

yes i agree, the MP gives the darkness, and the reed fine tunes it, or such,

[Keith Taylor]

Thanks for the input, Johnny. I’d mentioned about trying a ligature designed to give a darker sound to try and mellow out the brighter nature of the Carbon Onyx reed on the Otto Link STM I recently picked up. I can play my normal Hemke reeds, a ZZ Jazz, and even tried an orange box Rico 2.5 on it today, and they all gave me the more mellow / darker sound I prefer for playing ballads. Whereas the M Carbon Onyx played on it gives me a brighter and raspier rock / blues type sound – which is great when I’m wanting to play that style.
So, my idea behind trying a darker ligature with the combination is to see if I can tone down the brightness a bit while still using that mouthpiece and reed combo when I want to without having to buy different reeds for it.

As it stands now, I think I’m getting where I actually like the feel of the M Carbon Onyx more than cane reeds. So, if I can get it to be not quite so bright, I may end up ordering another one from you for a backup, or for when I eventually play out the one I just ordered. I’m really liking it and love not having to worry about soaking it for a few minutes before practicing. Roating out reeds. Having to adjust each day to the slight differences in whicherever reed I’m playing that day, etc. That’s why I don’t mind sending another $25 on a Rovner Dark ligature to see if I can make it where I can just switch out my ligature for the darker sound, or stick with the standard Otto Link Ligature for the brighter sound.

My taste / ear may adapt to it where I prefer its brighter sound over the darker sound too. Maybe I just need to give it a few weeks before I do anyhting.

[john]

you might try the other Fiberreed models which I included on the demo video: the Carbon and the Natural Classic I think it was called.
They’re not on the reed page on my site but you can still order one from me or directly from the distributor in California.
I didn’t like them as much as the Onyx and Hemp because they were’t as bright, which is what I like.
I must say that I have tried the Carbon again recently and it played pretty well, and a little less bright than the onyx which is why I mentioned it since that’s the direction you’re going in.

if you haven’t checked out that review it’s here:

Fiberreed Review – My Personal Experience

[brother cavefish]

well friends, my thoughts, i tried the onyx, in my opinion, there is nothing that sounds like bamboo , the warm wood sound can not be duplicated , in my humble opinion, i have tried fibracell premier, regular and onyx either they buzz or sound plastic—— if you want a bright buzzy sound well then you might have to figure what you want, me i want a soft warm spread out sound , only wood can do this

[john]

Brother Cavefish,
What strength bamboo reed is your preference

[john]

Another question. How do the strengths of the bamboo reed square up with the java cane reed

[brother cavefish]

java 2/V16 1.5 it seamed to match up for me

[john]

Brother Cavefish,
I like my onyx soft and medium soft reeds and my java 2.5 reeds.However I’ll try one bamboo reed. I ordered one Firestone Black Bamboo tenor sax reed. strength 3.
advice was to order half strength harder than what I usually play

[Pete]

BC
I have got the Onyx medium hard and it plays and sounds rich and warm, I also
have the hemp MH and that is pretty good. I always said I wouldn’t use a fibber reed
but now I have the Onyx MD I am really happy with it, no buzz whatsoever.

[Author]

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