Vandoren Java Alto Saxophone Reeds #3, Box of 10

by Vandoren

Product Features

• Ideal for Jazz and Commercial music
• Flexible pallet
• Larger surface vibration
• Playing Flexibility
• Box of 10 reeds

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 2.3 x 1.2 x 4.4 inches ; 1.6 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0002D09LK
• Item model number: SR263
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #13,246 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments)
  • #61 in Musical Instruments > Instrument Accessories > Wind Instrument Accessories > Woodwind Accessories > Saxophone Accessories > Reeds > Alto Saxes

Product Description

Java series saxophone reeds were developed by Vandoren in 1983 for jazz and commercial music. A thicker extremity and a more flexible pallet than the Traditional reed allow vibration over a larger surface area with maximum elasticity. This type of vertebral column gives the musician much greater playing flexibility as the resultant elasticity zone is very large. The JA stands for Jazz and the VA stands for Variety (entertainment music) and ...Vandoren!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best!, January 22, 2011

By 

Jon Carner - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Vandoren Java Alto Saxophone Reeds #3, Box of 10 (Electronics)

I tried a JAVA reed for the first time nearly a month ago. Before, I was using blue box Vandoren reeds, and let me tell you now that there is a world of difference between the two. The JAVA reeds are brighter in overall sound, and responsive nature, due to the larger area of vibration, is remarkable. These reeds will produce a full sound that you can control with ease. Due to their bright sound, they are definitely more suited for jazz, but I use them in our symphonic band as well. I find that the size 3 is also remarkable in itself. The size allows for great tone, and control. Altissimo comes out nicely as well as the lows. If you are looking for a brighter sound that is void of all airiness and responds immediately, this is the reed for you.

On a side note, the mouthpiece that is most likely suited for this reed is, first off, the Vandoren JAVA line of mouthpieces, but another brand that works astoundingly well is the JodyJazz Classic (7). It's jazzy tone with a jazz mouthpiece is only defined by its own sound.

I hope this review helped you, and once again, these reeds are great!

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Alto Saxophone Reeds, December 15, 2011

By 

popmusicfan (northeastern Ohio) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Vandoren Java Alto Saxophone Reeds #3, Box of 10 (Electronics)

Conventional wisdom is that Vandoren's Java reeds are strictly for jazz playing; however, that's not really the case. I play a Yamaha YAS-62 and use old, refaced 1950s and 1960s, big round-chamber King and Conn mouthpieces. And that's for jazz and classical playing. On that type of mouthpiece, I find the more conventional Vandoren reeds to be too bright sounding, and actually greatly prefer the Javas for classical playing. There's a roundness and depth and lack of sizzle that, in my experience, is far more flexible than what is possible with Vandoren's other styles of saxophone reeds.