The principle Fiberreed

During several years of research and development work to find a synthetic material comparable to Arundo Donax cane, Harry Hartmann had an idea:

During a performance with his group, he thought it would be best to replicate the natural material as far as possible. The idea was to retain all the positive properties of the cane while eliminating the negative ones.

In the course of further investigations, Harry Hartmann discovered that the good sound characteristics of Arundo donax are due to two main features. The first is the plant's longitudinal conveying channels and the second is the cells surrounding them. Thus the model of nature became the principle Fiberreed.

The idea generator

Harry Hartmann has been playing the saxophone since 1976. He has a degree in music with a focus on saxophone from the University of Music and Performing Arts in Stuttgart under Prof. Bernd Konrad. He has been a professional musician since 1982, teaching both privately and at music schools and devoting himself to jazz, Latin and classical music.

"As I am a musician myself, I have naturally tried to meet all the requirements of an innovative reed . However, I would be delighted to hear about your experiences with Fiberreed so that I can also take your wishes and suggestions into account. I would like to thank you in advance for your help."

Sound characteristics

The combination of high-tech materials and artistic sensitivity has resulted in a material with outstanding sound properties. Its name: Hollow Fiber Foamresin Compound, or HFC for short.

HFC replaces the conveying channels of the cane with hollow fibers and the cell structure with foamable resins. This, together with a balanced ratio of longitudinal to transverse stiffness, enables sound characteristics that not only come close to those of Arundo Donax cane but surpass them in many respects in a way that no other synthetic material has been able to achieve to date.

Advantages

Harry Hartmann's Fiberreed made of HFC combines the best sound and playing characteristics with a longevity that is 20 to 30 times greater than that of a wooden reed. In addition, the saxophone and clarinet reeds are characterized by an excellent response, high robustness, long-lasting hygiene and, last but not least, exact reproducibility: even after years of use, you will get a Fiberreed with the same outstanding properties. There is no break-in period, as is the case with wooden reeds. Fiberreed is 100% ready to play from the very first note.

All prices include statutory VAT.

Unsure which reed is the right one?

You have the option of ordering various reeds in different thicknesses, trying them out at home and simply returning them if they don't fit - with a refund.