Legere American Cut Saxophone Reeds how do they compare 

I'm a 50 y/o beginner, just 4 months in. I almost quit the first week because of the cane reeds. I disliked everything about them, specially the taste. Anyway, i found out about synthetic reeds and after countless hrs of research i ended up buying my first Legere American Cut reed 2.25 strength. I fell in love with the reed and the saxophone all over again. For now, synthetic reeds are the way to go. I'm not sure if it's normal but it cracked at the very tip after 4 months of use. I'm very careful when i handle it since i know the tip is very fragile. So, im assuming it just wore out. I practice about 2 hrs a day, 5 days a week. I think thats regular use. The description does say it lasts between 4 to 12 months of regular use. I guess i was hoping it was closer to 12 or at least half. But, i still think this is way better than cane reeds. At least for me. I'm glad I've found this reed. Thanks for this videos.

I've been using Legere Tenor Saxophone Studio Synthetic Reed, for about two years and was amazed at how good these are. I was very negative against synthetic reed, but Legere has converted me a little. I've tested out a few different ones, but the Legere for the Tennor Sax is really good. I gig regularly and found that they don't dry out, split, and great for consistency. The only thing I would say because they are transparent, they are not easy to see when putting on the mouthpiece. Synthetic reed didn't work for me on clarinet or alto sax but did on the Tenor Sax. I am looking forward to testing out the American cut for the tenor sax. Love your video Nigel, find them very helpful. keep up the great work.

Just ordered one on the strength of your review. I am also finding your Sax School such a brilliant experience. I have just taken up the sax at the age of 70 and I am making genuine progress thanks to you.

Made the switch from cane reeds to Signature Cut Legere about 4/5 years ago and haven't looked back! Can't wait to get my hands on the American Cut.

I have been playing legere reeds on my tenor, in the community band for a couple of years. I agree with the consistency.

I was going to ask you to do this video!! Thanks for the review, I love the Legere Signature,. Will give the American cut a go next time. 👍

As a newbie, I don't have much to offer in terms of insights. But I do appreciate the consistency I get from using a Legere reed... as a beginner, there are so many things that can go wrong when what I play is not what I intend, and troubleshooting is not always easy because I just don't know my sax and playing well enough to know. The Legere at least helps me know that the problem is not with the reed... (used studio cut and signature; I'd say signature is definitely superior in quality and sound)

I've just watched the video Nigel and now I am really looking forward to receiving my set of Legere American Cut reeds

Hi thank you. after watching your on RU-vid I have just pear chest my first Legere reed and cannot believe how good they are.

I've been using Legere signature reed for that past 2 years for the same reason you mentioned. I just recently ordered the America cut reeds also for my tenor but the alto

Also use Signature, and have been for a number of years! Love the feel on my lip!

Nigel, thanks for the review. I just ordered a Tenor American Cut. I've been using Legere Signature cut for years. Let's see how this one works out.

I bought an American Cut reed a couple of weeks ago and immediately noticed how they made the sound pop compared with the Signature which I love too. It does have a bit of a buzz so maybe if I was playing classical music ( which I don’t 😂) I would stick with the signature. I will be changing to American Cut when my Signatures wear out ( which they never seem to do!). Thanks for the review Nigel!

Tried them, and they crack easily. I'm now trying out Venn reeds. Love the sound!

Interesting Thanks Nigel

I just got mine. American cut 2.25 tenor. Absolutely love it 😀

I like the sound of the American cut and may try one. I've always stuck to cane as I find the dynamic range is limited from synthetic reeds.

never liked cane reeds, they’re still my second option but before i used legere synthetics, i was gonna quit sax, i really was. but i got a signature cut for alto and boy that’s when i fell in love with sax completely, yamaha saxes and legere are my power couple

Just order an American can't wait to try it out.

I use the Sig. 3.25. Just ordered the American 3.0. I'm going to give it a try. You sound really good!

i just bought one size 2.0. Yet to open the box. Your review should help a lot in overcoming my bias for Vandoren. Thanks a ton.

I love that buzzy sound in the légère Reed "Electric" sound!

Started on the Classics last year to try it out and I was not a fan... after trying some signatures I was shocked at how great they worked... Just ordered a AC 2.75 and I'm excited to try it!

Hi Nigel. I ordered a Legere American Cut synthetic reed and it is brilliant right from the first note. Thanks for the advice. Tom.

I’ve been using Legere reeds for over a year and I really liked the Signature Series, so I tried the American Cut and I like them even more. I love that you don’t have to fiddle around with them or worry that they might warp. I still enjoy the feel and sound of cane reeds but the Legere reeds are getting really close to cane. I use a 2.50 stiffness.

Sounds awesome, Nigel! I really loved the sound of the American cut on both of those mouthpieces. I don't think I ever would have guessed they were synthetic reeds. How did you like the alto version of the American cut?

I use the Signatures, but these sound brighter/edgier--which is what I've been looking for in a synthetic reed. Definitely didn't sound more "mellow" to me.

I use Theo Wanne Gaia 3 Metal and Otto Link Vintage Ebonite mouthpieces. Inter mediate (perhaps) player and have been using Legere Signature reeds for 2 years now. Fabulous reeds. I bought an American Cut to try out. I found it very similar to the Signature but a little more responsive and maybe marginally more expressive. Jazz players will like it. I think I need to get better to get the best out of it. But it's no more expensive I think, so why not? One thing is the strength totally matches. i.e a 2 Signature is a 2 on the American Cut. Strength wise.

Hi Nigel and all. One month ago I purchased Legere Am cut 2.5 reed. I have 2 mouthpieces: OttoLink Tone edge 7* and contemporary copy of (probably) vintage OttoLink Slant Signature 7*. Until now i used mostly Vandoren Java red 2,5 reeds. My first impression of Legere was strange, I felt like it is little bit hard. But after few days I was really happy, specially in combination with the OL SlantSig. Everyting was great. Sound, volume, playability... my twchwr, professional jazz player, appreciated the sound. Few weeks later I am not able to play this combination. I feel like the reed is too hard, i am not able to play silently, i need too much air to play and after few songs i have problems to breathe, spund is of course ugly. Very difficult is to start to play, later (as if after heating) it is better but still tiring. By the way, by playing i have to stand, can't seat. I don't know what could happen. I am in the mood to throw legere away and return to classic reed. Do you have any advice for me please? Thank you in advance.

This is something else new I experienced after a 40 year hiatus. The guy playing beside me had one, and I was "what the hell kind of reed is that?" I now use Legere Signature reeds and really like them. Every one so far has been consistent and playable right out of the box, unlike cane reeds. Unfortunately, it looks like the American cut is not available for baritones (yet?).

I just started using the Legere American Cut...today! (Well, a little bit last night). I've been practicing on it all day and I'm really liking it. I'm about to order a second one so that I can rotate them. I'm using the American Cut, 2.75 on my metal Otto Link Tonemaster size 7 mpc. The sound first seemed a little "buzzy" to me, but then, as I practiced it felt much better, very warm actually. The low register didn't quite speak for me immediately when subtoning, but after practicing on it a bit, it is doing pretty well now. The altissimo register comes out really well. I think I'm sold on these! It was helpful to watch your video after I've spent the day with this reed because it confirmed what I've been experiencing with it. Thanks for providing some great information.

Years ago, I tried most of the synthetic reeds, Legere was by far the best one. However I noticed a large difference between Legere cuts. Signature was the one I really liked and have been using them for the past 6 years . You did not mention the price, is this American cut cheaper or more expensive than the Signature cut? I use 2 1/4 . Is it available with the American cut? Great stuff, great Nigel.

It appears the American Cut has more material in the core of the reed (the heart part of the vamp looks more like a ridge), therefore pronouncing more the 'body' of the sound. I'd presume it keeps the intonation in the lower register of the instrument steady, and even better than with the Signature model.

Switched from the Signature #2, to the AmCut 1 7/5. Very nice. But still hang onto my BoSax #2.5’s cause there’s no substitute for the that ‘cane’ feeling.

I got my American Cut 2.5 for alto yesterday. Compared to my 2.5 Signature, the American Cut is better for altissimo, and I can play softer with more control on the lowest notes. The American Cut is a little more bright, and really seems to sing when I play. After just 30 minutes I knew I was never going back to the Signature. Oh, and this may be a bit silly, but the American Cut is much easier to read. I don't need reading glasses to see what the strength is. The case is a nice touch.

I started on Tenor Sax about 6 years ago and was always perplexed; is it that bad squeak me or the reed? Playing Legere solved all that, a bad note was me and I didn't have to try to determine if I had just pulled a bad reed out of the box. I now play the Signature #3 on C*80 mouthpiece on my Yamaha 62 Tenor and play in a concert band. Nice rendition of Misty.

So far I have not have a good experience with the Legere reeds. I tried the Signature ( a few different strengths) and although they gave a nice tone, they were too resistant for me. I tried the Studio Cut and I didn't like the tone (too plastic), so I stuck with the cane reeds. But I must say, Legere has very good customer service and exchange policy.

Thinking about switching from cane Reeds to synthetic(Q) awnry strength would you go higher or lower I use 3.5 cane Reed which way would be the best way higher or lower on strength thanks

When you ran up into the palm keys on Stardust, it sounded a little growly. Can’t tell if that was the reed or something you were doing intentionally.

I play on Marca Superierure #3 alto reeds. What strength Legere American cut should I try?

Do you think over time you'll be moving to the American cut? I play Signatures on my alto and tenor and use to play studio cuts ... years ago until I tried the Signatures. It seems like every new Legere style is better than previous models. Thanks

It really sounded good on the slant Sig

Thank you for the video I agree with you the American Cut read is fantastic I started playing Clarinet in the 50s and play Saxophone as well as other woodwinds. Most of my life I have been anti-synthetic reeds as some of the early ones were really bad. I am playing in the last year exclusively on European Cut for clarinet and American Cut on saxophones. I play Légère on the full range of saxophones from Baritone to soprano. And on clarinet from bass clarinet up to E flat Clarinet Why did I move - during a period of illness I wanted to play iwhen I could Iand not spend all the time adjusting reads and I found Legere to be very successful for me. I have found that I was very prejudiced against them. It has been a great revelation for me. Initially it was the price which had put me off Personally I did not like the standard ones. It’s like makes of instruments we can go by the name or what someone tells us is their Favourites the best way of course is to try them for yourself and get them on approval. Thank you so much for your video which is a very balanced review, yes I will probably not like them but that’s okay. Don’t be like me and be prejudiced. But like natural reeds you need to stick with a brand or a cut for some time which is of course applicable also to various makes of Saxophone. Thank you sir for what you are doing. You make some excellent videos and you are an encouraging teacher . May God bless you and yours and your musicmaking - Bill - UK

With Legere Signature reeds that I have been using, I often found depending on the mouthpiece that one strength of reed was a little soft while the next quarter strength was just a little hard and I didn't have that in between resistance I was looking for. I agree with you on the variation as I have noticed this when playing Signature reeds but I did notice that after a week of playing on them for an hour a day, then good reeds would start responding the best for me. I had the opportunity to try American Cut reeds as I won an alto reed, although it took 3 weeks to get to me so I ordered several American Cut reeds in different strengths for my alto sax mouthpieces and have played them since they came out. I have three main mouthpieces that I use, a modern Selmer Soloist E, Selmer Claude Delangle and a JoydJazz HR* 5M (I play D'addario Select Jazz unfiled reed on it). With the 2 Selmer mouthpieces I play on Legere Signature reeds as I like the non buzzy, smooth response I get, but there has always been a slight issue for me. The resistance. For example, on my Soloist E, Signature 2 reeds respond the best to me but feel a little soft and I didn't always like the feel or sound as they are either buzzy, fuzzy or low notes don't come out well. I tried 2.25 strength and it was better as it was darker and fuller sounding but they always seemed too resistant. I couldn't relax with playing those, despite preferring the sound and better intonation. To try and fix this resistance issue, I tried quite a few ligatures to find one that fitted well and was free blowing but I just couldn't get the sound I wanted. When I tried the American cut 2.25 on the Soloist, that responded exactly how I wished the 2.25 Signatures would. I had a lot less issues with low notes coming out, more body to the sound and a better overall even response I could relax playing with. I'll keep them for that mouthpiece. On my Claude Delangle which I got a few weeks ago, I have gone back and fourth between the 2.25 Signature and 2.25 American cut but I think they are just a little bright for it, even though I liked the less resistance over the same 2.25 Signature reed. I like the addition of a reed case but it seems slightly big. I normally use Vandoren Juno cases that hold 2 reeds per case and they are thinner than the Legere reed case and 2 Juno cases with 4 reeds takes up the same space as 1 Legere reed case with 1 reed in it. I normally play on up to 6 reeds so I have 3 Juno cases and having 6 Legere cases just seems they would take up too much space in my saxophone case over the smaller, thinner Juno cases.

Now I use 2.5 Cane Reed,which way should I go up or down Thanks mouth piece is a Jodi jazz 7* Thanks Be Safe

i just ordered 2 different strenght, a 1.5 and 1.75, according to there charts, so now i am waiting, they should arrive 29 or 30 dec. May i ask why you still give em a lick, as i understood, these needed no more being wetted..? been playing the sax for 5 month now

What would be the equivalent to a vandoren java red 2 1/2?

Nigel how long can you play one Legere reed before it goes bad?

I tried signature reeds and they play stuffy and dull for me no matter what strenght or mpc. They played dull no matter what type of mpc. Reluctant to spend for another one. I did try the studio cut as well. should they play well right away or do you need to play them 40 hours or more to break them in? Strenghts tried were 2, 2/1/4 and 2/1/2.

Which is best for low notes?

Nigel hi. To my mind, the American cut has a more focused sound and brighter. The Sig. has a darker and rounder sound. Having said that, l must say that on your second mouthpiece, the American had a warmer tone. Keep well.

Thanks for your review. Approximately how many hours can you expect to get out on one of these Legere reeds? I practice 2-3 hours per day between alto and tenor.

Would you say they need a break in time ?

Are there going to bari reeds of these?

You mention Studio cut at the beginning, but that's a completely different reed than the Signature series. Legere now includes the case with all models (I purchased a Classic a month ago that came with one) but dealers may be still working through old inventory.

So in regards to Légère synth reeds. Barring physical damage or dramatic sound difference, how do you know if a synthetic reed needs replacing verses just getting good and broke-in? How many hours of playing do you typically get with one?

I will be glad when they are shipping them again. They have been unavailable for a long time. I guess they are very popular. I have been using the Legere Signature for 4 years.

Thank you! 1961 - before you and most of your students were born, I used a plastic reed on bari. (Make ?) I loved it for the consistency and the carefreeness. But I dared not tell anyone, for fear I'd be branded as a derelict. :)

What about Studio Cut? Is American cut the new version of Studio cut or not? If Studio cut is out of stock - which of your reeds will replace Studio cut for me?

Hi Nige, these are impossible to get. I've had an order in for two weeks already and am waiting forever.

Hi Nigel ,what size do you recommend been playing a year, going to try American cut, playing on ricco 2 Tenor Sax

These are coming in at £46, if i were to try one it would be the signature (26).

If I play Rico Royal 2's. What would be the equivalent in American Cut Legere?

I would like to know how to properly cut synthetic reeds

In my opp the usa cut sound more smooth and better for laid back jazz sax

What do they Compuer in saize ? Should I get the exact same size I’m use with the signature or should I get a step higher or step lower?, it just reminds me of the hassle when I got my first legendary i acted bought like three or four of them til I finally found the right saize

So , what am I doing wrong ? I've been playing for a year now on a Yamaha 4C with 2.5 D'Addario reserve and a Legere 2.5 cane. I just bought a Select Jazz mouthpiece and an American cut 2.5 and I don't have enough breath !!! I just cant play it !! I've tried the American cut with my 4C and still it's hard work. Could it be the saxophone ? The sound is great when i can get it !!!!

Big question is, do they crack and split like just about all the signatures that I USE to buy?........I should get a delivery of an American cut today!

Hello! Do i need to break in legere synthetic reeds?

Can I use a Tenor reed on my alto Yamaha mouthpiece.

Nigel first of all I have tried both and the American blow away the signature in consistency, sound and everyone I have played work right away. I found the signature reeds so inconsistent in every way. Most were to soft and what I mean by that is if you can bend the edge of the reed like paper the reed is worthless. Most signatures were worthless. American is my pick.

Por favor, traducción en subtítulos !!!!

Do they do a single reed so I can try one. Don’t want to waste money on a box if I don’t like them.

The American Cut really does seem to have a more even and mellow sound. I have a Signature and I really love to use it during my practice sessions, but for playing with other people, there is still nothing better than a traditional cane reed, since synthetic ones tend to be quite finicky on the mouthpiece that I use, but that may be because of the reed strength.

The tenor reed is too wide, especially at the wingtip corners for the Jody Jazz DV CHI 7* mouthpiece. The vibrating reed causes abrasions on my upper lip as a result.

The American sounded more mellow on the Durga. Loved the powerful rich sound on the Slant Sig. Actually found the sound difference with the same American between the the Durga and Slant greater than what I heard between American and Slant on the Durga. American with Slant is my winner.

La lógica dice que fábrican para sax tenor, gracias.

I love American Cut and Signature. He has many hundreds of dollars worth there. Oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz, is the song coming to mind.

The American cut sounds fuller bodied to me. I can't find it in stock anywhere yet, so sticking with the Signature 2.5 on tenor for now.

2:48 that automatic move you can't ever wean off.

I understand that they can be softened by dunking in boiling water for a second. Anyone tried that?

How come after all those sax tests you continue to play the same one as before? Did none match your expectations after all or what?

I prefer the American cut, but find the synthetic reed irritates my bottom lip, limiting my practice time to about an hour

By the way I am an amateur player at best Intermediate level.

I like your vlg's, reports and facts, abslolutley informativ for me but why always necessary to point out the subscribe, if I like your post it is gladly subscribed. If I don't like it, I don't subscribe to it either, no matter how many times you mention I should do it. I think these intros are very boring by now. I am of the opinion, meanwhile, even the most inexperienced viewers have figured it out how it works. It's just more boring. It is therefore more a question of how well you do your job, then I subscribe entirely of my own free will.

Made in Canada lol

I loved your videos but I have one single suggestion for you if you want to be understood by non-native English speakers.... pay attention to pronunciation and speak a little bit slower. Sometimes you eat the words and it’s hard to understand and that’s a shame. All the best.