I was looking for something better than a Rico Plasticover and the Hinoki reed is the best synthetic reed I have tried so far, excellent response and sound. Note that it is a little narrower than a Rico reed and sits on the edges of the rails on a Selmer Soloist. The end is a little thicker than most reeds and made some tight ligatures not fit anymore (Vandoren optimum) but MO still fits great. This also seemed better to me than the black reeds Forestone sell.