Weissenberg Carbon Onyx Fiberreed (Alto Medium-soft / 2)

Been using this on a NY Link for a few years now, on and off playing. Love it.

I have recently been experimenting with some of the more highly-recommended synthetic reeds on my alto sax. I am recently returned to playing, and currently using some solid 2 - 2.5 cane reeds. Some of the other synthetic reeds I have tried seem to run a bit stiffer than their strength rating would indicate. This Carbon Onyx model was the opposite and way too soft. The upper register didn't sound natural either, kind of plasticky versus others, although this might be due to the softness and extreme blowability. A more suitable stiffness might produce better tonal quality? I don't know if I can mention other brands, but my best success so far has been with a French brand that is a LEGEnd. I am enjoying the benefits of synthetic reeds overall - consistent playing without worrying about moisture, and long-lasting durability. The trick is finding just the right reed for the player, since the reeds don't change much or 'break-in' like cane, and can't be easily shaved or manipulated like cane. If you don't like it at the beginning, the reed isn't going to change. The stiffness ratings don't line up dependably with cane reeds, so the process is more trial and error, and these babies aren't cheap! However I am enjoying the beneficial side of synthetics and am willing to continue exploring. At the moment I have accumulated several different synthetics in various actual strengths, giving me options as my embouchure develops.

just got my carbon onyx reed, and im diggin it more than the regular carbon reed. the first type of carbon reed they made is now going for $35.00/ us. now their getting more popular . i find myself buying legere reeds because their less expensive. the $26 dollar carbon onyx is a deal. the original hh carbon, hemp and classic are really fragile. broke a hemp reed within the first few days of owning it. at any rate im stuck on legere and harry hartman reeds and will never go back to natural reeds because their a pain in the butt to use. I recommend any sax player to give these a try. so much more convenient to use over natural reeds, you can just grab your sax anytime and play no muss no fuss. might be a little learning curve on reed strengths. the carbon onyx reed seemed more responsive than his others. sound difference between various hh reeds is minimal , your audience will never know the difference .

This Reed played up and down the register flawlessly. Best plastic reed I have ever played and I’ve played several brands.

I am a new tenor player. I usually play Rico 2.0 and they are great, But this synthetic reed has changed my preference.

I had to stop buying Fibracells after more than 10 years because their quality has gone down the tubes at the same time the price had gone up. It was sad, because in the past they gave me the best response, very long life, and perfect consistency from reed to reed. No more. The Carbon Onyx is very pricey, but the quality control appears to be high. I have two of these for my vintage King Zephyr tenor, and both reeds appear to perform identically. It does quite well with my other tenors, too. However, it is sometimes particular about mouthpiece and horn. Using an out-of-production Selmer/Brilhart mouthpiece with removable baffles on my King Zephyr, it plays unbelievably well with a silk-like quality and effortless bass notes and clean altissimo (not thin or tinny), and subtones. BTW, it works much better for me than the Hartmann Classic. Update: I like the Black Onyx reed for alto playing, too. However, two soprano reeds I ordered have caused me to question the quality control. The black coloration was wonky, not that color matters, but the last soprano reed I ordered had faded color and did not perform the same as my original Hartmann soprano reed, seemed softer than it should. I will reserve judgement for now, but these have still been the best synthetic reed that I've tried for sax.

Gives me the expected "sizzle" in my sound. The left and right edges are "sharp", I feel them on my lip while playing. They are numbered higher than they actually play. This 3.5 plays like a 2.5

This read in a 2.5 alto is just too bright and it is impossible to play soft because if you play softer you will go sharp. You practically always have to play loud to be in tune