Detail 01
Plasticover coating
Cane sealed under a thin plastic film. It takes on less water, so response stays steadier across a long set.
Product detailSKU #1274034480475
RicoPlasticover Soprano Saxophone Reeds Strength 4 Box of 5
1/2
Independent shopping perspective
The Korena take
Hard-strength coated cane reeds cut for soprano saxophone, five per box. For players with a settled embouchure who want more resistance.
Strong match
Who this is for
- Players already comfortable at 3.5 who want more back-pressure
- Humid rooms and outdoor playing where bare cane softens fast
- Busy schedules where a reed sits unplayed for days
Consider the trade-offs
When to look elsewhere
- Beginners still building embouchure strength
- Players after a soft, warm classical sound
- Alto, tenor or clarinet mouthpieces — wrong cut entirely
What matters in use
The specifications, translated
Catalog numbers tell only part of the story. These are the details most likely to change how this product feels, sounds, or fits into a setup.
Detail 02
Strength 4
Stiff. Needs more air and a firmer embouchure, and rewards you with volume and control up top.
Detail 03
Soprano cut
Shaped for soprano only. Narrower and shorter than an alto reed, so it will not seat correctly on a bigger mouthpiece.
Detail 04
Box of 5
Five reeds. Cane varies piece to piece; most players land on two or three from a box they actually gig.
Detail 05
Coated, not synthetic
Still cane underneath. Plays and breaks in like cane, and still wears out — just more slowly.
Final check
Know before you order
- 01Reeds only. No mouthpiece, ligature or reed case in the box.
- 02Strength 4 on a wide-tip mouthpiece can feel unplayably stiff.
- 03Still wet them before playing; the coating slows soaking, it does not replace it.
Product questions
Before you decide
Straight answers to the questions shoppers most often ask about this product.
01Is strength 4 too hard for me?
If you are playing 2.5 or 3 now, yes — jump to 3.5 first. Strength 4 suits players with a developed embouchure, usually on a narrower mouthpiece tip.
02How long do Plasticover reeds last?
Longer than uncoated cane, because the film limits how much water the reed absorbs and how much it swells and warps. Actual life still depends on your playing hours.
03Will these fit an alto saxophone?
No. These are cut for soprano. Alto reeds are wider and longer, and a soprano reed will not cover an alto mouthpiece table.
04Do they sound different from plain cane reeds?
The coating adds edge and projection, so they read brighter and cut better in a loud band. Softer, darker classical playing is not where they shine.
