Can the ReedGeek “Klangbogen” Bore & Reed Stabilizer Instantly Improve Your Sound?
Klangbogen
Introduction
At the 2016 NAMM show, I stopped by ReedGeek to check out the ReedGeek Black Diamond G4. While at the booth, Mauro Di Gioia, founder and president of ReedGeek, showed me a new device he called the Klangbogen. To gain a better understanding of what the Klangbogen has to offer, I will be discussing the following information: Product Overview, Klangbogen Placement, Test Results, and my Overall Thoughts.
Product Overview
“The ReedGeek® Klangbogen™ is the latest innovative product offering from ReedGeek, Inc., designed by German artisan and ReedGeek team member, Torsten “Toko” Köhler. The Klangbogen; instantly increases output and depth of tone of the saxophone while stabilizing the extreme ranges of the horn so it speaks with clarity.”
The new JodyJazz DV HR Tenor uses the patented DV secondary window to add mid and low harmonics, resulting in a more authoritative tone than normal tenor sax mouthpieces provide. And the long straight somewhat high baffle gives the mouthpiece it’s fantastic projection and cutting power along with excellent altissimo.
JODYJAZZ.COM
The New DV HR Tenor from JodyJazz
This device is a solid brass bow that fits alto, tenor, and baritone saxophone and attaches to the music-lyre screw holder. The Klangbogen will maximize the airflow through the conical tube which improves the efficiency of a balanced reed by supporting and reducing air turbulence at the neck-tenon and palm keys. The neck-tenon and palm keys have historically suffered tremendous nodal disturbances. The overall result is an enhanced tone with greater projection and focus to the sound.
Klangbogen Placement
The post can be unscrewed and re-positioned in one of the three hole placements depending on what type of saxophone you are using (alto, tenor, or baritone).
To install, unscrew lyre screw and insert Klangbogen into lyre slot, tightening the screw securely against the knurled post. The device may be placed below or above the neck screw tenon as seen in picture 3 and picture 4.
Picture 3
Picture 4
Results
I have been using the Klangbogen for over 1 year. I have tried this device on various saxophones and I have noticed the benefit each time. For me, I preferred placing the Klangbogen above the lyre screw holder (see picture 4) but it also worked well below (see picture 3). What I noticed when using the Klangbogen is it did offer me more stabilization, focus, and projection in the upper and lower range of the saxophone. I felt that while playing up in the palm keys, the sound was more stable and easier to control. In the lower register, especially when playing low Bb, I was able to get a bit bigger and fuller low Bb. I will say if you use the Klangbogen for a few hours and then take it off, you will most likely notice a difference.
Overall Thoughts
I am excited that Mauro is constantly developing and experimenting with various products that will correct or improve problems we saxophonist have to deal with on a day to day basis. The Klangbogen will not take a stuffy saxophone or one with neck issues and solve it, but I will say the Klangbogen has only improved the various saxophones I have tried by enhancing and stabilizing various areas on the saxophone. The result is different and can be more noticeable from saxophone to saxophone, but I highly recommend checking one out because everyone whom I have met thus far and has tried the Klangbogen has been happy they did.
The Klangbogen comes in polished brass, sterling silver-plate, and a heavy gold plate.
ReedGeek Website
http://www.ReedGeek.com/klangbogen/
Ricker Keller demo’s Klangbogen
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2W3O7gSLlPc
Brian Landrus demo’s Klangbogen
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zv2GUQ4uUJs
April 15, 2016 @ 10:01 am
Please don’t believe this nonsense. It’s just business and won’t improve your sound.
April 15, 2016 @ 10:59 am
Hello Paul,
Is this the experience you had when you tried the Klangbogen on your saxophone?
April 22, 2016 @ 11:43 am
Will this fit a Yanagisawa A-WO1, which has a completely different position of the lyre holder (lower down, at the side)? How long is the Klangbogen bar – in cm or inches please, “it’s quite long” doesn’t help :) :) :) Any info would be greatly appreciated!
April 26, 2016 @ 2:10 pm
The Klangbogen fit my Yanagisawa 991 tenor fine. I will let you know when I hear back from Mauro with his feedback.
April 25, 2016 @ 1:29 pm
I’m not sure this would fit on an old vintage horn such as my Martin Committee Lion & Crown tenor
April 26, 2016 @ 2:09 pm
Do you have a picture of your tenor since the lyre holder insert seems to be a bit different on each horn.
September 4, 2016 @ 9:32 am
I have to agree with Paul ( post 1 ). These gimmicks are getting too much. You can play or you can’t. End of !!
January 3, 2018 @ 5:10 pm
Well, I first tried using a small screwdriver as ‘my device’ and recorded all my saxes with and without screwdriver . The difference was obvious on both 5alto s and 3tenors, be it more on the alto’s. I found myself practising and recording with this screwdriver in front of me all the time…Looks so silly. So I ordered this device knowing it has to work. It looks like a natural part of my saxophone now. Surprisingly It ‘s actually a little less efficient than the screwdriver. Still…You clearly hear more evenness of tone,somewhat warmer and fuller highs,rounder lows. My expensive Keilwerth sounds even more expensive now. That and the sax reflector are really usefull devices. Glad I bought both of them . Jm
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May 25, 2019 @ 3:10 pm
That’s good to know, since I’m a cheap bastard who likes a little ugly chic with his instrument enhancements.
March 15, 2019 @ 4:23 am
I tried one and definitely noticed an improvement, imho
May 25, 2019 @ 3:09 pm
Standard pattern here as in other comment threads. Doers find something interesting and useful. Non-doers masturbate their egos with negativity.