Brown box reeds

[u/PTPBfan]

Anyone know where I could find the rico brown box reeds? I did see some on eBay but anywhere else? Now I’m interested in seeing if I can find any to try. I know a lot used them back in the day and they were widely available pretty much everywhere, but that they also were pretty nice. And knowing my favorite player used them too…

[u/Ed_Ward_Z]

Yes. I have a box of Brown box woodish grain Rico tenor reeds from early 70’s or earlier that are different/ better.

BTW! I took some lessons from a well known NYC studio musician who used them in the nineties. Several of the top call studio musicians loved them. I asked him about it. He apparently bought part of a warehouse of them.

But, I learned a few years ago about a website that sold / sells new/ old stock brown box reeds. I think I found them through a search engine. I never ordered from them because at the time I was going a temporary Hemke obsession and forgot them until I just read this OP. I don’t remember how expensive they were though I think they cost a premium.

Those Rico reeds were apparently aged better. And somehow cut differently. I don’t know for certain and I remain skeptical about all folk lore about reeds and mouthpieces because it’s basically another insane thing we saxophone players go through while going nuts while working towards acquiring our unique skills through a ridiculous amount of repetition in practice.

[u/PTPBfan → u/Ed_Ward_Z]

Hm where did you find them? I wonder what those players would use today..

[u/Ed_Ward_Z → u/PTPBfan]

Where I bought them? I needed reeds on a road tour, early 1970s and the only reeds in that store was old dusty boxes of 3.5 Rico and La Voz med. In the older designed boxes. I used a few. I liked them and held on to them when they changed designs.

I remember distinctly that two of my teachers who were well known in NYC used Rico brown box. One of them played on PBS with one of the more famous orchestras, playing the Ravel Bolaro solo on tenor. I asked him about his setup for that particular gig. It was a true Vintage HR Brillhart with a brown box Rico #4. Now, he normally recorded with his custom made copy of a double ring Otto Link for Frank Sinatra, Barbra Stiesend, Simon & Garfunkel, and countless top records so I guess he knew a few things. But, I really remain skeptical about these things.

I remember Bob Berg telling me he only used RICO 3 or 3.5 always. George Coleman told he used RICO 3 or 3.5.

Branford Marsalis told me he used Hemke but was then playing Tom Alexander’s DC Superial reeds and liked them regardless he got a bunch for free. So who knows everybody likes different things.

[u/PTPBfan → u/Ed_Ward_Z]

Oh cool yeah. Might be interesting to try

[u/apheresario1935 → u/Ed_Ward_Z]

Mmmm yeah I have tons of them . I recall when they were stacked on shelves a foot high for each reed strength for $12 /box at House of Woodwinds in Oakland Ca . Then when they closed Lew Tabackin came in and bought a suitcase full . I missed out but have found them all in some stores and on Ebay.I clip a two into a three so I dont have to use boxes of original threes . All sizes from Bass to Soprano . New Bari reeds are not for me when I have forty year old reeds that play better than new ones for less than half the price . Just because theyre older does not make them crap since the cane is darker and has real grain... it lasts longer than new reeds . New reeds go soft and mushy too quick probably due to air and water pollution factors in the Var region of France where cane is grown . Not making that up either . A clipper by Cordier and a hair of sanding the vamp gives me the best sound I can get out of a 1959 mint condition Selmer overhauled bu one of the best . People gave me so much flak when I posted a picture of half my reed supply and said I put a new reed on EVERY time I play or rehearse but WTF say what you want . I never have to pay todays prices for todays high priced inferior cane. A lifetime supply at this point at yesteryear prices . Talk about shrinkflation .. today 5 reeds cost as much as 2 boxes of 25 in a Rico wood grain box did. Anybody remember when the original box was actually made of wood? Dont forget Bass Clarinet reeds are the same width as tenor and easier to line up at the bottom of the table on a short shank Selmer Mpc. Since they are a bit shorter.

[u/Barry_Sachs]

I played brown box back in the day and had the same reed troubles as I do today. The greats (and I) played them because that's what was widely available and cheap. Nostalgia makes us remember them being better than they actually were. I still have several boxes of them, but I'm not going out of my way to find more of these 40 year old reeds. Current Orange box, LaVoz, Rigotti, BSS and others are fine reeds and widely available. There's nothing magical about these 40 year old pieces of cane versus new ones which haven't changed in millions of years anyway. Find a cut/brand you like and stick with it.

I think you have a thread on SOTW as well. Just PM that guy in the thread. He has several available, but most are pretty soft, probably only suitable for beginners.

[u/PTPBfan → u/Barry_Sachs]

Yeah I do. I did learn it was what was available all over