Developed in the time since J. D’Addario’s acquisition of Rico in 2004, Rico Reserve reeds are the result of more than 75 years of reed-making expertise and a $10 million factory-renovation project spearheaded by J. D’Addario.
Reserve reeds have been literally designed from the ground up, starting with the raw material. The Reserve reeds are made exclusively from lower-internode cane– a technique Rico pioneered that yields the highest-density cane available. Only the lower sections of each cane pole are selected. The Rico cane used for Reserve reeds is so exceptional that less than five percent of reed cane qualifies for the new Reserve reeds.
The Reserve reed, designed for the most demanding clarinettists, was developed using revolutionary 3-D reed-modelling software. Months of research, blind surveys, and testing with the input of top symphonic musicians has resulted in a winning design.
Each Reserve reed is precisely cut using French cutting techniques on Rico’s newly designed, state-of-the-art reed-manufacturing machines. Special diamond cutters were developed to ensure unparalleled precision and consistency from reed to reed.
New automated blanking machines have been implemented that incorporate the use of optical lasers that measure the thickness of the reed blank at the heel, centre, and tip to the strictest tolerances in the industry. Colour video inspection selects the highest quality cane for colour and sorts out any flaws, and state-of-the-art polishing and sanding operations produce a glass-like surface to the reed table to ensure consistency.
“We combined D’Addario’s 18 years of expertise in the reed market with our reputation for manufacturing innovation to guide the Reserve reed development process,” explains J. D’Addario Chairman and CEO Jim D’Addario. “No stone was left unturned at the Rico factory and plantations, resulting in the highest quality reed on the market.”
Every box of Rico Reserve reeds is sealed with the patented REED VITALIZER™ automatic humidity-control system (HCS). Reed Vitalizer with auto HCS maintains the same relative humidity inside every box until opened. Reed Vitalizer ensures that reeds will not warp, split, or crack during the time it takes to get from the Rico factory to the musician’s mouthpiece.
“We know we’ve hit the mark with this product,” states Rico Product Manager Robert Polan. “Our market research came back overwhelmingly positive with players asking to buy boxes on the spot!”
“Rico has really demonstrated to clarinettists that making a great reed is possible,” says Ricardo Morales, Philadelphia Orchestra Solo Clarinettist. “I’m really impressed with how consistent the reeds are.”