Detail 01
Strength 3.5
Medium-hard. More resistance and more control at volume; tiring if your embouchure isn't there yet.
Product detailSKU #1274228081499
VandorenAlto Sax V16 Reeds Strength 3.5 Box of 10
Independent shopping perspective
The Korena take
Ten alto sax reeds in strength 3.5, a medium-hard setting. For intermediate and advanced players who already find 3 too soft.
Strong match
Who this is for
- Players stepping up from strength 3
- Buying in bulk to keep a working rotation going
- Louder playing where a softer reed closes up
Consider the trade-offs
When to look elsewhere
- First-year students still building embouchure
- Very open mouthpiece facings, which favor softer reeds
- Tenor or soprano sax players — wrong size
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
Box of 10
$3.90 a reed. Enough to rotate four or five good ones and set the rest aside.
Detail 03
Alto sax cut
Fits alto mouthpieces only. Tenor, soprano, and baritone reeds are different sizes.
Detail 04
V16 cut
A specific Vandoren line — a 3.5 here won't necessarily feel like a 3.5 in another Vandoren series.
Final check
Know before you order
- 01Reeds only — no mouthpiece, ligature, or reed guard included
- 02Rotate three or four reeds rather than playing one until it dies
- 03Cane is natural material; a couple per box may never play well
Product questions
Before you decide
Straight answers to the questions shoppers most often ask about this product.
01Is 3.5 a big jump from 3?
It's noticeable. Expect more resistance and a firmer feel for the first week. If you're straining after a few sessions, stay on 3.
02Do these fit a tenor sax?
No. These are cut for alto. Tenor takes a larger reed.
03How long does a reed last?
It depends on how much you play and whether you rotate. Rotating several reeds across sessions makes each one last longer than playing one exclusively.
04How many come in the box?
Ten.
