Detail 01
Strength 5+
The top of the range. Requires strong air support and a developed embouchure, and pairs with close tip openings, not open ones.
Product detailSKU #1274228080851
VandorenV12 Bb Clarinet Reeds Strength 5+ Box of 10
Independent shopping perspective
The Korena take
Ten Bb clarinet reeds in strength 5+, the hardest step Vandoren cuts in the V12 line. For advanced players with an established embouchure.
Strong match
Who this is for
- Advanced classical players on a close-facing mouthpiece
- Players who blow through softer reeds within a week
- Anyone chasing maximum resistance and a dense, focused core
Consider the trade-offs
When to look elsewhere
- Students — 5+ will feel like blowing through a wall
- Players on wide, open jazz facings
- Anyone unsure of their current strength; buy a single reed first
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
The "+" designation
A half step above 5, not a full strength. It's a fine adjustment for players already comfortable at 5.
Detail 03
V12 cut
A thicker blank than standard-cut reeds, so the vamp is denser. V12 strengths run harder than the same number in other cuts.
Detail 04
Box of 10
Cane varies piece to piece. A ten-count gives you enough spread to sort playable reeds from duds.
Detail 05
Bb clarinet only
Cut for Bb soprano clarinet. Alto, bass, Eb clarinet, and all saxophones take different reed dimensions.
Final check
Know before you order
- 01Cane reeds need breaking in — play each a few minutes over several days
- 02Not every reed in a box plays; three or four keepers is normal
- 03A reed case and humidity control aren't included but extend reed life
Product questions
Before you decide
Straight answers to the questions shoppers most often ask about this product.
01Is 5+ the same as a 5 in another cut?
No. V12 uses a thicker blank, so a V12 number plays harder than the same number in a thinner cut. If you're new to V12, drop a half strength.
02How long does a box last?
Depends on playing hours and rotation. Rotating four reeds instead of playing one to death stretches a box considerably.
03Will these work on my bass clarinet?
No. These are cut for Bb soprano clarinet. Bass clarinet reeds are larger and won't interchange.
04Why do some reeds in the box play better than others?
Cane is a natural material with varying density and grain. Even within one box, some blanks respond better. That's normal and why boxes exist.
