Filed or French Filed Cut reeds have an extra strip of cane removed in a straight line just below the vamp allowing for more flexibility and a faster response time.
Choosing a File Cut to Suit your Mouthpiece
Generally, players who use moderately resistant and darker sounding mouthpieces such as a rubber Ottolink prefer filed reeds. The file allows these resistant mouthpieces to blow more freely and produce a brighter tone.
Players who use easy-blowing and moderate to bright mouthpieces such as a metal Selmer prefer unfiled reeds. Unfiled reeds give the player a darker tone and more resistance.
Examples of Filed Reeds [...] Read more
