FORESTONE REEDS
We've combined natural cane with environmentally friendly synthetic materials to create the world's first hybrid reed. Forestone hybrid reeds are balanced to bring out the durable, agile benefits of synthetic reeds while maintaining the heart and sound of natural bamboo.The material used is a mixture of polypropylene resin and cellulose wood fibre with more than 50 percent of the material used being bamboo. This material is brownish in colour, tasteless, odourless and non-toxic. The exceptional sound, resilience and flexibility of Forestone reeds is due mainly to this special material.
Made in Japan, our propriety High-tech injection moulding procedure pairs these fine materials with ease and is the most accurate process available today. This process results in reeds with optimally smooth vamps that are uniform and consistent, reed to reed. Forestone reeds are perfectly balanced side to side and front to back. The more or less standard profile tapers down to 0.1 mm thickness across the tip. Held up to the light, the reeds display the classic upside-down "U-shape" associated with cane reeds. Each reed is surfaced post-production for a natural feel.
Adjustments are rarely required however, the material is sufficiently hard that one can still do so using blades, files, sandpaper, reed rush or whatever other tool or implement is desired. One can also clip Forestone reeds successfully. Forestone reeds tend to maintain their strength / resistance over time. They vibrate well and hold the centre of the sound in a manner similar to that of a good quality cane reed.
While the difference in feel between Forestone reeds and cane is minimal it may take a little bit of playing to get used to the new reed just as you would with a new mouthpiece, ligature, barrel or instrument.
The useful life of a Forestone reed will vary from player to player given that everyone's way of playing - his or her embouchure - stresses the reed differently. Forestone reeds will far outlast good quality cane as the proprietary composite material is impervious to water-logging and breakdown by saliva, and will not warp due to changes in humidity or altitude. After a certain number of hours, however, the reeds will begin to feel less lively and responsive. The loss in vitality, be it subtle or more pronounced, would signal the time has come to retire the reed in favour of a newer one.
Black Bamboo
The Black Bamboo reed is the most popular in the Forestone range. It has a traditional French file cut and has a little more resistance than others in the range allowing for more control. It contains bamboo fibre and a special carbon mixture. Overall a free blowing and responsive reed with a versatile tone.
Available For: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone saxophones. French and German Clarinet. Sizes: XS, S, MS, M, MH, H, XHBlack Bamboo with Blast
This reeds starts the same as is the standard Black Bamboo reed but undergoes a special surface treatment to allow for more projection and volume. It has a very fast response and little resistance. Great for funk and commercial work.
Available For: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone Saxophones. French Clarinet. Sizes: XS, S, MS, M, MH, H, XHHinoki
The Hinoki reed has an ‘American unfiled’ cut producing a warm versatile sound with much character and dynamic range. It contains Calcium enriched bamboo fibres and has a little bit of resistance for support but is still very responsive.
Available For: Soprano, Alto, Tenor Saxophones. Sizes: XS, S, MS, M, MH, H, XHWhite Bamboo
The White Bamboo reed has a traditional French file cut producing a very lively and free response. It contains calcium enriched bamboo fibres.
Available For: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone Saxophones. French Clarinet. Sizes: 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5Traditional
This is a very free blowing and easy to play reed with a bright round sound. It has a high degree of flexibility and retains strength and resistance over a long period. Made from resin bonded bamboo with a traditional French file cut.
Available For: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone Saxophones. French and German Clarinet. Sizes: XS, S, MS, M, MH, H, XHREEDS FAQ
How can I clean my Forestone reed?
Luke-warm water works well.
Can Forestone reeds be safely sterilised?
Dipping the reed in hydrogen peroxide followed by rinsing it in luke-warm water is a simple, effective and safe method. You can also clean the reeds with an alcohol swab or serisol.
Is there a recommended method for storing Forestone reeds?
Any standard reed case or reed holder will do the trick.
Can Forestone reeds be left on the mouthpiece?
Because the material does not warp, you can safely leave your Forestone reed on the mouthpiece. However, we do recommend that you remove it and wipe it clean after each playing session.
How can I maximise the life of my Forestone reed?
Rotation is the best way to maximise the reed’s playing life. Some players rotate three or four reeds, others as many as six or more.
Are the reeds designed for certain types of mouthpieces and ligatures?
Forestone reeds will work on any brand of mouthpiece and with any metal, fabric or string ligature. Our German-cut clarinet reeds are designed for German mouthpieces.
Are Forestone reeds designed for all playing situations?
Yes. Forestone reeds are the ideal choice for professional orchestral clarinet players, chamber music players, folk musicians, commercial freelancers, and doublers. They can also be played with confidence by university and high school students, teachers, young professionals, soloists, military musicians, and amateurs – in short, by anyone who plays or studies the clarinet and saxophone and seeks a reliable synthetic alternative to cane reeds.