Vandoren V12, V21 or 56 Rue Lepic? Pls explain their specialities and failures? (self.Clarinet) submitted 1 year ago by deleted. I haven't tried V21, but I prefer 56 Rue Lepic over V12. There is a higher proportion of good. reeds per box in my experience. Good meaning they don't require any extra modifications.

after finishing my last box of V.12s (strength 3.5), i decided i would take the opportunity to try Vandoren's third cut, the 56 Rue Lepic; this is the one Vandoren reed i've never heard before. Based on Vandoren's comparison chart, i ordered strength 3.5+ since i used 3.5 V.12s. I've heard a LOT of mixed opinions about this cut; my private teacher says he didn't like it, and i don't know any pro players in the USA that use this cut, but i have heard of music majors and other performers using the reed. What is your experience? I use an M13 Lyre mouthpiece, and i found the V.12 to be satisfactory, but i figured it would be nice to give this last cut a try. hopefully there's a perfectly good reason (regarding the reed's characteristics) why Vandoren doesn't manufacture this cut for Eb or Bass...right?
on a side note, what should i do with the reeds if i find out i don't like them? my school band buddies don't like to try anything outside the Vandoren Blue-box; they don't work with their reeds the way i do, and i'm not sure if they even pay for their own reeds.