I really like the tenor as well, however, with it I have a problem. As it comes from Harry, it is wider than almost all of my mouthpieces. My main piece is a Dukoff (a number of them actually). The Fiberreed is just too wide for all of them, although for my oldest Dukoff D7s, it almost works, but not quite. In order to play the Fiberreed on my main pieces, I’d have to trim it. Harry does provide very clear directions, but due to my neuro problems, my fine motor skills are not what they used to be. I’m not too keen on trying to slice up the side of a über expensive, excellent reed with my palsy-like shake. I’m thinking I might get my tech to do it when I take one of my horns in next.

As it sits right now, the only mouthpiece I have that accommodates the Carbon Fiberreed is a vintage hard rubber Vandoren. It sounds amazing on that mouthpiece, and responds just like the one on the alto does. Only problem is, I don’t play this Vandoren piece at all.

So there you have my Fiberreed report. I really like the reeds. I’d recommend trying them if you’re looking for an alternative to cane. Besides the Carbon version, there are lots of others for different styles of music. I haven’t tried those, so I can’t speak to what they can or cannot do. However, from what I have tried, I am impressed. They play as advertised.

The only thing I’m curious about, and what I do want to ask Harry about, is why he has chosen to make his tenor reeds so wide. Given that I have so many mouthpieces, it’s not that I have narrow pieces, his reeds are just wider than the norm. I’d be curious to know his reasoning behind that.

No worries, I took care of it.

I’m just going to spend some time in my studio now. I’ll answer that reed question a little later this pm (and catch up with a couple of other questions & comments that are outstanding as well).

I’m going to try and get back into playing in the next day or 2, but it’s really hard. I have a lot on my plate at the moment. I’m the executor, and there are a lot of responsibilities attached to the role in this particular case.

My heart is not really into playing sax at the moment, but I’ll likely give the Carbon Fiberreed a blow, at least the tenor one, later today or tomorrow. It will be interesting to see if the Medium is the right strength.

I live about three miles from Baxter Northup, and often drive right by them on the way home from work, so I should pay them a visit and see what they carry. I’m pretty satisfied with Fibracells, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t something even better out there. I need more in any case, I’m down to three alto reeds and one of those is suffering a bit of separation anxiety (the plastic is starting to peel off the back because my Berg has very sharp edges), and three good tenor reeds (two more with issues — one too soft from playing, one started too soft). If I run out, I might just have to PLAY CANE!

I used to love buying my reeds through Charlie Andrews. He and I used to talk on the phone, and via email, whenever I placed an order. His prices were so low compared to everyone else’s. I never paid more then $11.00 for a reed, and that was for the baritone variety. The smaller reeds cost less. He too had a special if you bought a certain number. I can’t remember now what it was, but I always got it, since I bought so many at a time. He also included a pack or 2 of Gig Dust and Crud Patches in my orders. He was truly a very special man. He also shared some very interesting stories with me about his sax playing days.

When I got my first order of Premier reeds I emailed Charlie, and told him that I didn’t like them. He right away gathered up the remaining old stock he had in my strength, and put them aside for me. That’s how come I have so many of the Fibracells I love. I really lucked out in the bari and bass department. I still have something like a 5 or 10 year supply left… I haven’t looked into my bari/bass reed drawer lately, so I’m not sure how many are there, but it’s a lot. The way I play soprano (or not) I more than likely have a lifetime supply left.

Are there any stores in your region that carry Harry Hartmann’s Fiberreed? I was thinking that in such a large market, that might be a place where you’d see them in the stores.

I already got an email update from them this AM saying that my order has been shipped. I’m very happy about that. I just ordered it on Saturday. That’s extremely good service.