David largely built his career on the classic and famed LaVoz M & MH reeds. He then moved to Vandoren V16’s but yearned for that rich vibrant buzz of the original classic La Voz. Subsequently, Mauro customized and ReedGeek’d every V16 David played for over 15 years to create a more vibrant reed that was easier to play in all registers while maintaining the integrity in the body of sound.
“This reed is my voice.
It lets me follow the music wherever it goes.”— David Sanborn
At its core, this reed is about immediacy—a reed that responds the moment air meets cane. Whether you’re shaping a delicate phrase or pushing into a powerful, expressive line, it delivers clarity, consistency, and presence across the full range of the horn. Everything David Sanborn stood for.
Why It Stands Out
- Instant Response
Speaks effortlessly with minimal resistance—ideal for players who demand connection and control. - Focused, Full Tone
Projects with clarity, promoting a relaxed embouchure while maintaining warmth and depth. - Artist-Inspired Design
Crafted to capture the intensity, precision, and emotional nuance that defined Sanborn’s sound. - Consistency You Can Trust
Designed with ReedGeek’s attention to detail to ensure reliability from reed to reed.
Built for Every Player
From advancing students to seasoned professionals, this reed offers a versatile playing experience that adapts to your style. It is immediately responsive, effortless to play and is balanced throughout all ranges, with a fat clear sound and stable altissimo.
The ReedGeek Difference
Backed by the innovation and craftsmanship of ReedGeek, this signature reed is more than just a product—it’s part of a complete approach to reed performance. Pair it with ReedGeek tools to maintain peak playability and extend the life of every reed.
Caring for your Sanborn reed
Using your ReedGeek tool regularly will help maintain and lengthen the lifetime of your Sanborn Signature reed.
Although your Sanborn Signature reed is designed to respond immediately out of the box, we suggest a few tips for longer life and consistent playability.
- Feel free to lightly flatten your reed out of the box with your preferred ReedGeek tool. This will help seal the pores and ensure a perfectly flat reed table before it encounters moisture.
- If you feel that the reed plays well but you want to decrease blowing resistance, use the curved spine contour bevels on the ReedGeek G4 tool as directed in your ReedGeek instructions to lightly shave the top side of the spine.
- Your reed is designed with a very vibrant and flexible tip contour. Keeping the reed moist and the tip flat in a properly humidified storage case will keep the reed performing consistently throughout playing sessions.
Available in three distinct strengths, each providing consistent color and response throughout the horn. The Sanborn reed integrates flawlessly between most popular mouthpiece facings. Whether in the practice room, studio, or on stage, it provides the confidence to focus on what matters most—your sound.
- The reed harkens back to the “original” Classic LaVoz scale with M and MH, but with a greater balance and control and a more flexible sound.
- The reed strength comparison will be closest to the Rico/D’Addario Select Jazz, chart below.
Please see our current exclusive Japan and European dealers to purchase
