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Here is a summary of some of the main points that distinguish Forestone reeds from other brands, both cane and synthetic. |
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The proprietary composite material is a mixture of polypropylene resin and cellulose wood fibre, more than 50 percent of which is bamboo. It 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.
Unlike cane reeds and other brands of synthetics that are made by machining, Forestone reeds are made by injection molding. The special process was developed in Japan and is proprietary. Injection-molding results in reeds of exceptional uniformity.
Forestone reeds are perfectly balanced side to side and front to back. The vamp is smooth and the underside is perfectly flat. The profile is standard but adapted in subtle ways to produce optimal sound, intonation, response and feel. The thickness of the tip is 0.1 mm right across. Held up to the light, Forestone reeds display the classic upside-down “U-shape” associated with cane reeds.
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. The basic timbre is robust, clear and strong, with just enough “buzz” in the sound to ensure good projection and carrying power. Intonation is stable and the reeds are designed to articulate well from the chalemeau to the altissimo.
The difference in feel compared to cane is minimal. That said, it is the wise player who takes some time to get comfortable with Forestone, in the same way as he or she would take time to get comfortable with a new mouthpiece, ligature, barrel or instrument.
Forestone reeds require no adjustment with knives, blades, sandpaper, reed rush or other traditional methods. One can achieve gratifying results by slightly raising or lowering the reed on the mouthpiece to improve response. Finding the right strength for your mouthpiece and way of playing is the key to success.
The useful life of a Forestone reed will vary from player to player given that everyone’s way of playing — his or her embouchure address — 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 that the time has come to retire the reed in favour of a newer one. |
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