I’ve been trying to play my Bb clarinet for 2 days (horribly) and the only reed I have from a few years ago is beyond dead. So I went to eBay to buy more and there are…all different kinds of reeds with different numbers and stuff and I don’t know what I should get. They used to give us reeds at school so I’ve never had to actually buy them.
Edited because I didn’t even ask a question. Which ones should I buy?
Hey Cran… the higher the number, the harder the reed. If you’re just picking the clarinet up after some time away, you may want to go with a softer (lower number) reed.
~A
Edited to add a P.S.-- I used Rico reeds as a beginner, then as my playing progressed I moved up to VanDoren. If that is of help to you. 
A 1 ½ is probably about the easiest to play, but I think the schools usually provide 2 or 2 ½ reeds.
I think 2 is pretty standard, as Walden said. I don’t think I could play on my #4 reed anymore. ::sigh:: I miss my clarinet.
Andrea
Buying clarinet reeds on eBay??
Sound like the postage and handling charges would exceed the cost of the reeds. Try calling a music store and dealing direct… you have nothing to loose.
So if I just buy Rico reeds it will be ok? What about a book to re-introduce you to clarinet? I had a few books here, too, but they’ve…vanished apparently.
Hey Cran… the higher the number, the harder the reed. If you’re just picking the clarinet up after some time away, you may want to go with a softer (lower number) reed. HTH!
A loooong time away. My parents had all the pads and stuff replaced on it and then I played it for a little while and it collected dust for a few years. I picked it up again a couple days ago and have been pretending it’s whistle playing a few songs, and since I have it I figure I might as well re-learn it. I forgot how much I like the sound. I also forgot that I had a few pages of sheet music in the case. Not playable on whistle, though. LOL.
There is some info on reed characteristics at:
Ah, Rico Royal… that’s what I used to use! I remember now, after seeing BillBo’s link. The Van doren reeds are the absolute best, though it did take a while to work up to them.
Off to look at clarinets on Ebay… geez, thanks Cran… 
Andrea
I deal with reeds every day. For a beginner (or someone getting back after a very hiatus) get Rico #2 or #2 1/2. It’s a waste of money at the beginning stage to buy expensive ones (VanDoren etc.). An odd fact about reeds, however: if you get one that’s too soft for you )or your mouthpiece) it will seem very hard to blow which can lead to confusion about what strength to use.
Ah, Rico Royal… that’s what I used to use! I remember now, after seeing BillBo’s link. The Van doren reeds are the absolute best, though it did take a while to work up to them.
Off to look at clarinets on Ebay… geez, thanks Cran
You’re welcome. 
I looked at the little clear plastic thing the reed was in. It says ‘NOVAPAK’ then has a U.S. patent number listed. It doesn’t have any numbers or a brand name or anything.
Ricoh products often come in Novapak cases, but they usually have a brand name stamped on the reed. I’ve used various brands. I’ve even got some of those cinnamon flavor reeds, which I got because Saied’s had them on sale for cheap. At least the cinnamon helps keep them from smelling and tasting rancid.
Hee Hee!
I realized the same thing about my sax when I dug it from the dusty recesses of the closet. The only reeds in the case were Van Doren #4’s I just didn’t have the chops for them anymore.
Cran,
I’ll second the recommendation for Van doren, they are the best (at least they were 10 years ago). Based on sax experience I’d start with a #2 Rico or #2 1\2, that’s what I bought recently when I went to the music store to get zither pins (Inspired by Patrick’s Lyre plans on the page he had the Viking panpipes on.) Thanks Patrick!
Mark V.
Ricoh products often come in Novapak cases, but they usually have a brand name stamped on the reed. I’ve used various brands. I’ve even got some of those cinnamon flavor reeds, which I got because Saied’s had them on sale for cheap. At least the cinnamon helps keep them from smelling and tasting rancid.
Woah…LOL. I took the reed off and looked again and sure enough, on the back it says Rico, V-2.
Don’t I feel stupid now?
I just have some buying advice to share,
I wouldn’t necessarily go to a local music store to buy reeds. In my experience most stores charge far more then they should for them. You might want to check out http://www.woodwindbrasswind.com they usually have pretty good deals and if you order small things (i.e. reeds) they’ll be shipped the same day you order so it’ll only be a few days wait. I may be wrong and your local music store might offer great deals, but I would price it against Woodwind Brasswind first.
Seth
I used to use Rico 2s too, twenty years ago when I played the clarinet at school. I recall that I used to have to wet the reed by taking it off & holding it in my mouth while assembling the clarinet. The thinner the reed, the faster it will break though.
It was the taste & smell of stale spit that put me off the clarinet…though don’t let that stop you Cran! If my parents hadn’t sold my clarinet when I gave up playing for my exams, I’d probably have played around a bit & enjoyed it a whole lot more.
Funny how something we are made to do in childhood is a chore, but choosing to do it in later life is a pleasure!
I used to use Rico 2s too, twenty years ago when I played the clarinet at school. I recall that I used to have to wet the reed by taking it off & holding it in my mouth while assembling the clarinet. The thinner the reed, the faster it will break though.
I remember that. Everybody who played clarinet in school had to sit for a few minutes sucking on a reed before we played anything.
Just playing seemed so difficult to me when I was in school, but now since I’ve picked up a whistle I want to play the clarinet and it doesn’t feel so daunting or tedious. It’s odd how a little tiny piece of metal and plastic with holes in it can change your brain like that.
Cran and Martin, I remember that too… I remember absolutely loving the taste of a new reed! What a nut. 
I didn’t even want to play the clarinet initially, but I’m so glad I did-- I have lots of fond memories of practicing every day, getting ready for competitions, and just tootling around on it. I wish I’d never stopped!!
I wonder if my dad will let me have my clarinet back (it was his… but he doesn’t play it anymore. I mean really-- a gorgeous Buffet R-13 should be in use, doncha think?? )
~A
I wonder if my dad will let me have my clarinet back (it was his… but he doesn’t play it anymore. I mean really-- a gorgeous Buffet R-13 should be in use, doncha think?? )
Imagine…how many Megs it’s worth.
I second that. Last time i checked, their reeds were cheaper than the ones that were being sold on eBay. Another (shorter) address for the same store is http://www.wwbw.com/.
There’s also an “outlet store” section that sometimes has good deals. For example, for clarinet reeds, click here.
When I got back into playing reeds, I decided to get one each of the 1-1/2, 2, and 2-1/2 reeds. I quickly outgrew the 1-1/2, spent a few more days on the 2, and have pretty much settled on a 2-1/2. It allowed my embouchure to strengthen gradually. You might consider going that route…(BTW I occasionally use a 3…)
Aldon