Paul R. Coats
The Bayou Saxophone Quartet and Consultant Clinician for Runyon Products

Stop the presses! In "Reed Selection" I had stated I have not found synthetic reeds to have suitable playing characteristics to merit consideration. That is now changed. I had seen ads for the Fibracell Reed in Saxophone Journal and thought they were probably a reincarnation of the old Fibercane Reed of years past. In Bruce Ronkin’s column, "Music & Technology" in Vol. 21, Number 2. Sept/Oct issue of Saxophone Journal, Bruce gave a fine review of this reed. He stated he had the same reservations until he heard a fine classical performance by John Vana in Boston. He was unaware John was playing the Fibracell until afterwards. I told myself, "sometime soon I should get around to checking these out." When testing a new mouthpiece at Santy Runyon’s recently, he handed a few of these to me to try. They played and felt like a regular good quality cane reed. He told me they play the same day after day, week after week. They sell for $12.00 (clarinet), $13.00 (alto sax), and $14.00 (tenor sax). The clarinet reed fits and plays well on soprano sax, but as yet they do not have a bari sax reed.

This is the answer to a reedman’s prayers. The price seems steep, but it will outlast several boxes of reeds. And you know exactly how it plays, time after time. Also, it does not absorb water like a cane reed. On a long gig it doesn’t get waterlogged and require changing. It does not have to be wet to play –great for doubling. Put it on and blow. No waiting for the wrinkles to straighten out.

I asked my wife, "How does this new reed sound?" She answered, "Just like your other reeds, what’s the big deal about this one?" Exactly my point! Sounds just like my other reeds, blows like my other reeds, but outlasts my other reeds! The price is actually a bargain in my book, as you only need 2 for each instrument, one to play on, and one backup. Now all I need is a pair of Fibracell bari sax reeds.

Sincerely,
Paul R. Coats

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