I am a user of Van Doren V12 (3.5 strength) reeds on my Bb clarinet. They work well for my set up in an orchestral setting.
Back in March of 2020 all of my Orchestra gigs were cancelled through December 31, 2021......due to Covid.
In early May 2020 I realized that I was blowing-through my V12 reeds as I practiced to keep my chops up....with no gig $ to replenish my supply.
At that time I decided to purchase a Legere 3.5 strength "European Cut" to try out.
Compared to cane the Legere reed sounds/reacts "good enough' in the lower/middle registers but above high C I have to work twice as hard to stay in tune....thus with a bit of extra effort I can play in tune chromatically up to high G.
Since my first Legere I purchased 4 more... As of this writing I am currently on my 3rd reed........and it's still holding up to 1.5 hour practice sessions/5 days per week.
Once a month I will do a practice session with my V12's to make sure that my embouchure hasn't "morphed"......
Would I use a Legere on an Orchestra gig? I highly doubt it but they have served me well for practice.
Back in March of 2020 all of my Orchestra gigs were cancelled through December 31, 2021......due to Covid.
In early May 2020 I realized that I was blowing-through my V12 reeds as I practiced to keep my chops up....with no gig $ to replenish my supply.
At that time I decided to purchase a Legere 3.5 strength "European Cut" to try out.
Compared to cane the Legere reed sounds/reacts "good enough' in the lower/middle registers but above high C I have to work twice as hard to stay in tune....thus with a bit of extra effort I can play in tune chromatically up to high G.
Since my first Legere I purchased 4 more... As of this writing I am currently on my 3rd reed........and it's still holding up to 1.5 hour practice sessions/5 days per week.
Once a month I will do a practice session with my V12's to make sure that my embouchure hasn't "morphed"......
Would I use a Legere on an Orchestra gig? I highly doubt it but they have served me well for practice.