Firstly I placed the reed on my Otto Link super tone master 5. It was hard to work with this setup. Then tried it on my Dukoff L 6 which plays lighter and softer on all reeds.
The main thing about this reed is that it is heavy, more like the vandoren strength 3,5 as opposed to my favorite Rico plasticover in strength 3,5. Its heavier than the Plasticover 4!
It softened up after just a couple of blasts but was still dull around the lower D. Especially when playing loud, there were good sounds lower than low C# as well as everything from low F# up all the way to the upper register. This is in the first 5 minutes.
There were uncontrollable things happening to the reed in the lower D until I adjusted the reed.
As was expected, it got lighter as it was used more.
after 20 minutes, only playing every 3 minutes (practising a solo), it got better and better. Thank the heavens because I bought a box of 5. A classical sound, as stated on the box.
It doesn't close down when playing real hard and loud.
Great value!
These people should be lauded for their ECO way of growing, drying and manufacturing their reeds.
It sounds very clear in the upper reg. and robust in the lower now I put it back on my Otto Link.