Barnes & Mullins Legere American Cut Synthetic Reed – Alto Saxophone

The American Cut represents the next generation of Légère saxophone reeds.

From the first note, the reed speaks with total ease while giving players just the right amount of edge. It is free-blowing, colourful, and loaded with personality.

Reinvented Profile

The American Cut is unlike any reed you’ve ever played. By taking material from the outside of the reed and pushing it towards the heart, the reed maintains its stiffness while allowing the edges to vibrate as freely as possible. This change creates a sharp spine through the centre of the vamp giving the reed its unique appearance

The American Cut’s distinct profile is what gives players a full, clear low register and vibrant altissimo.

Made For Jazz

After years of research, more than ten design iterations, and hundreds of test reeds issued, the American Cut is the most thoroughly developed reed Légère has ever produced. This extensive testing process was conducted for one purpose; to create a jazz reed that offers total performance freedom while delivering the dependability that Légère reeds have become known for.

Tried synthetic reeds in the past? You haven’t tried this one.

Review

As far as I’m concerned, this is the best Legere reed yet.  I’ve always liked the Signature, but this takes the response and tone to a new level. There’s a nice degree of natural sax buzz, and it doesn’t sound ‘hollow’ or ‘alternative’ like some synthetics do, it just sounds like a really good Jazz Select.  There is an even-ness across the whole register and it pops so easily in the altissimo. I think I should point out that I was testing the reed with a Meyer 7 ebonite. Like all of these things I think there will be some mouthpieces that just work better with the reed than others, and the Meyer has a good balanced sound on alto, with a certain degree of clarity and pop that, for me, just suits this reed perfectly. Also bear in mind that I’m playing in a jazz style and looking for sound that has a good degree of buzz and presence – this set-up certainly gives you that.  Perhaps if I was playing purely classical style this reed wouldn’t give quite the right timbre.

I thought it would be important and useful to compare to Legere’s other flagship reed, the Signature.  When swapping over to the Signature I found the sound good, but a little more introverted and just a tad lacking in freedom of response by way of comparison. The new American Cut has a little more presence in the upper harmonics, but without being cutting in any way.  Even when pushed to the max the tone has integrity and fullness. You can really tell that Legere have been pushing the boundaries with the development of this reed, and I think it’s going to be a BIG success.

Jim Cheek