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![Lepic Lepic](/uploads/1/2/5/6/125639505/100665356.jpg)
In fact, in each box of reeds are several different cuts. This is, according to Vandoren, to make sure that there are at least 2 reeds in a box that will work with any mouthpiece type. In my experience, the Rue Lepic sound great coming out of the box but the cane feels harder after a day or two and becomes almost unplayable. My primary choice for reeds has been Vandoren V12 3.5+ and occasionally rue lepic (I have not used Traditional reeds for many years). Naturally I was anticipating some good results with V21 since it 'combines the conical shape of a 56 rue epic reeds with a V12 profile' (you can read more about it here).
![Vandoren 56 rue lepic clarinet reeds review Vandoren 56 rue lepic clarinet reeds review](http://olveramusic.com/10059-large_default/vandoren-56-rue-lepic-bb-clarinet-reeds.jpg)
I snagged a few of them while at tmea and have been playing on them. I really like them so far. I am a band director just recently out of college and I still perform with a group and play everyday, just as some background on me. I feel like the few I grabbed/have played have been very consistent with each other and very easy to play on in all ranges. The response is much nicer than the v12 and just more mellow, for me, than the rue lepic box I think.
I have been a little inconsistent with what mouthpiece I'm using right now but even so, I like my sound better when on the v21. That might just be cause they are new and exciting, but that's OK for now. I'll get a whole box of em soon as well as my usual rue lepic box and see what I think with more serious playing. I bought a single V21 4 along with my usual box of V12 4's. Didn't feel like prepping my V12s so I used the V21 out of the package for a gig Sunday.
So far I'm impressed. Has good response and resonance without putting in a lot of effort. It gave my sound that lyrical quality I look for in the V12s but usually only get after an extended prep and break-in. I'll use it again tonight at an orchestra rehearsal to see how it does in a different setting and get a better feel for its longevity. I have a very limited budget for supplies, so I can stretch the hell out of a box of V12s. If V21s can't measure up in longevity, I won't get them anymore. Overall I really like the V21 reeds.
I think the sound is very even throughout all of the ranges and I find that I can play much softer in the higher registers with many of them. What I don't like about the 56 reeds is that it seems they don't last as long as much as I would like them too. I only recently started playing on the V21 reeds so I am not completely sure about their longevity. Another beef I have with the V21 reeds and with Vandoren in general is the inconsistency throughout a single box. I find I can get 4 or 5 good reeds per box, but that is the life of a reed player!I like the reeds and will be ordering more boxes soon!.