---
product_id: 2125791
title: "Woodwinds Rico Plasticover Alto Sax Reeds, Strength 2.5, 5-pack - RRP05ASX250"
brand: "d'addario"
price: "KSh9550"
currency: KES
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 13
category: "D'addario"
url: https://www.desertcart.co.ke/products/2125791-woodwinds-rico-plasticover-alto-sax-reeds-strength-2-5-5
store_origin: KE
region: Kenya
---

# Instant response in any climate Traditional Rico cut for rich tone Moisture-resistant plastic coating Woodwinds Rico Plasticover Alto Sax Reeds, Strength 2.5, 5-pack - RRP05ASX250

**Brand:** d'addario
**Price:** KSh9550
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Summary

> 🎷 Elevate your sax game with reeds that perform rain or shine!

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** Woodwinds Rico Plasticover Alto Sax Reeds, Strength 2.5, 5-pack - RRP05ASX250 by d'addario
- **How much does it cost?** KSh9550 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.co.ke](https://www.desertcart.co.ke/products/2125791-woodwinds-rico-plasticover-alto-sax-reeds-strength-2-5-5)

## Best For

- d'addario enthusiasts

## Why This Product

- Trusted d'addario brand quality
- Free international shipping included
- Worldwide delivery with tracking
- 15-day hassle-free returns

## Key Features

- • **Pro-Level Precision:** Laser-sorted cane quality ensures consistent strength 2.5 reeds every time.
- • **Ready Out of the Box:** No soaking needed—play instantly with a bright, clear tone that projects.
- • **Weatherproof Brilliance:** Plastic-coated reeds resist moisture & climate shifts for flawless play anywhere.
- • **Durability Meets Flexibility:** Hybrid plastic coating extends reed life while maintaining flexible, responsive feel.
- • **Trusted by Jazz & Studio Pros:** Favored by top musicians worldwide for clear projection and reliable performance.

## Overview

D'Addario Woodwinds Rico Plasticover Alto Sax Reeds (Strength 2.5, 5-pack) feature a patented plastic coating that resists moisture and climate changes, delivering instant response and a bright, projecting tone. Designed for doublers and outdoor players, these reeds combine traditional Rico cut precision with enhanced durability, making them a top choice among jazz, studio, and pop musicians worldwide.

## Description

Product Description Designed to resist moisture and climate changes, Plasticover is ideal for use in outdoor ensembles such as marching band, and for doublers who need to make quick changes between instruments. Whether in moist tropics or in desert heat, Plasticover responds instantly. The durable coating also provides a clear, projecting tone, making Plasticover a favorite with jazz, studio and pop musicians.•Coated with plastic to resist changes in moisture and climate •Coating provides durability and clear tone •Most flexible grade of cane for instant response •French-filed for fast responseAt its San Fernando Valley facility, Rico has a state-of-the-art reed research center, and employs the collaboration of agronomists, scientists, and musicians to produce top-quality reeds that include Rico Reserve premium reeds for clarinet and saxophone. Rico reeds are designed to benefit all levels of musicians from the beginner to the seasoned professional. Many of the world's finest clarinetists and saxophonists use Rico brand reeds, such as Anthony McGill, Mark Nuccio, Jessica Phillips, Jerry Bergonzi, Chris Potter, Benny Golson, Ernie Watts, Bob Sheppard, Walter Boeykens, Seiji Yokokawa, Philippe Geiss, Diastema Saxophone Quartet, and many more. For more information, visit RicoReeds.com From the Manufacturer Plasticover reeds in strength 2.5 feature the traditional Rico cut with a plastic coating, offering more brilliance to the sound. Designed to resist moisture and climate changes, Plasticover is ideal for doublers who need to make quick changes between instruments. Whether in moist tropics or in desert heat, Plasticover responds instantly. The durable coating also provides a clear, projecting tone, making Plasticover a favorite with jazz, studio and pop musicians.Since the acquisition of Rico by D'Addario & Co., Rico has strengthened its position as the global leader in woodwind reeds and accessories. Rico's state-of-the-art reed research center in Southern California employs a collaboration of agronomists, scientists, and musicians to produce top-quality reeds, including Rico Reserve premium reeds for clarinet and saxophone. Rico reeds are designed to benefit all levels of musicians, from the beginner to the seasoned professional. Many of the world's finest woodwind players perform with Rico reeds, such as Mark Nuccio, Jerry Bergonzi, Chris Potter, Benny Golson, Ernie Watts, Bob Sheppard, Henri Bok, Richie Hawley, Eric Alexander, and many more.

Review: A Lucky Quality Find! - I'm relatively new at playing saxophone, so I've been trying different reeds, to see which ones work for me. They say to start with a softer reed. They mean the stiffness of the reed. I've started with 1.5 (much thinner than others, usually they range from 1 to 5 in half steps. There's specific tonal differences but also stiffness/ease of use. I'm going to try the 2's soon. The PlastiCover seems to be a little more stiff then the other 2's that I have ( the just caine reeds) Some times they refer to those ratings as a 'color' - lite/dark. I've settled on Rico's reeds in general. They are priced very reasonable and play well. They come on a 3 pack, also a 10 or 25 pack. They can be considered to be around $5 each, but cheaper with a higher pack. Something that surprised when I got a saxophone is that the reeds most soak before using them! The thicker, the longer they soak. Some players just put them in their mouths for a few minutes, usual while they are getting their sax out of their cases and getting everything ready. I play for enjoyment, I don't play out. I don't think this way is best, so I soak them in a cup of clean water for just a couple minutes. Rico reeds both reasonably priced and good quality. Then I heard about synthetic reads. So, I picked out one and tried it (a very popular French synthetic reed.) These reeds are supposed to last for months, which is some justification for their price ($32-$42 each). I picked out the strength I figured would be best for me. But it played a little stiffer than I thought it would, but the worst part was - the edge tore the very first time I tried it!! My understanding is that is unusual. That doesn't help when you pay that much for a single reed. So I looked around for a variation that might be more affordable for me, and lasted longer. That's when I came across the PlastiCover Reed by D'addario. That's the parent company of Rico, which helped me feel more secure with this purchase. They make things for guitar also, good quality. Happy that I didn't have to pay so much for one reed. That helped even though they are still slightly more expensive then regular reeds. That's because this reed is a hybrid. It's a Rico reed covered in a jet-black plastic. It looks like a rubber coating but either way - I didn't have to soak it in water. It plays right out of the box! I am not the best sax player around...yet it sounded about the same as the regular Rico not-filed reed. It takes a couple minutes for it to sound ready, but so do you ( all of us!). Even better, I've used the first one everyday for a couple weeks and it's still usable. Again, I DON'T pre-soak it, but I'm careful to rinse it in water after each use. So bottom line is: I'm glad they make them and I'm glad to have found them. I say that because I've never seen an advertisement for them, but they are there under either Rico or D'Addario! They even look cool! (I don't, but you can't have everything!)
Review: Easy to use - Easy to use, plays clearly with my instrument, and lasts decently. It's less of a hassle to use these reeds. They don't require a lot of moisture after the first use, they are easy to get a sound out of, you can play with a looser embouchure, and they don't chip easily. They are a low thickness and you get a rather bright sound. The only wear I've noticed after about one month of use is small pieces of the pastic will peel off. I would say two months per reed is probably maximum usage provided you play your instrument 5 hours a week. Most instructors will tell you not to use a bright sounding reed like these ones in concert band, only use it in marching band. There is another view that I've heard with the opposite claim. A few players will tell you to use these less thicker reeds in concert band because you can play quieter with better tone than the thicker ones, and to use the thicker ones (not these) in marching band because it requires you to use more air and thus play louder. Good reeds for nonprofessional players.

## Features

- Plasticover reeds in strength 2.5 feature the traditional Rico cut with a plastic coating, offering more brilliance to the sound. Designed to resist moisture and climate changes, Plasticover is ideal for doublers who need to make quick changes between instruments. Whether in moist tropics or in desert heat, Plasticover responds instantly. The durable coating also provides a clear, projecting tone, making Plasticover a favorite with jazz, studio and pop musicians.Since the acquisition of Rico by D'Addario & Co., Rico has strengthened its position as the global leader in woodwind reeds and accessories. Rico's state-of-the-art reed research center in Southern California employs a collaboration of agronomists, scientists, and musicians to produce top-quality reeds, including Rico Reserve premium reeds for clarinet and saxophone. Rico reeds are designed to benefit all levels of musicians, from the beginner to the seasoned professional. Many of the world's finest woodwind players perform with Rico reeds, such as Mark Nuccio, Jerry Bergonzi, Chris Potter, Benny Golson, Ernie Watts, Bob Sheppard, Henri Bok, Richie Hawley, Eric Alexander, and many more.
- Coated with plastic to resist changes in moisture and climate
- Strength 2.5, Unfiled cut, box of 5 reeds
- Color video inspection sorts cane quality
- Optical laser measurements ensure accuracy
- Offered in strengths 1.0 to 4.0

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| ASIN | B000BASLHS |
| Best Sellers Rank | #2,585 in Musical Instruments ( See Top 100 in Musical Instruments ) #20 in Alto Saxophone Reeds |
| Body Material | Cane |
| Color Name | cremefarben |
| Customer Reviews | 4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars (1,617) |
| Date First Available | September 6, 2005 |
| Instrument Key | C Major |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Item Weight | 0.704 ounces |
| Item model number | RRP05ASX250 |
| Material Type | Acrylic |
| Product Dimensions | 3.06 x 0.87 x 1.36 inches |
| Size | Strength 2.5 |

## Product Details

- **Brand:** D'Addario
- **Color:** cremefarben
- **Instrument Key:** C Major
- **Material:** Acrylic
- **Style:** 5-pack

## Images

![Woodwinds Rico Plasticover Alto Sax Reeds, Strength 2.5, 5-pack - RRP05ASX250 - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61R5YmarlXL.jpg)

## Available Options

This product comes in different **Size** options.

## Questions & Answers

**Q: What color are coated?**
A: It's a brownish color.  I've been playing them for years.  They play like a regular wood reed but because of the coating they last a lot longer.

**Q: Do you need to wet the reed before playing or not?**
A: I wet the reed slightly in order to get a suction seal between the reed and mouthpiece, if not the reed will not create a good seal for me.  These reeds seem to give me a slightly brighter and buzzier sound than most traditional cane reeds, and they definately last longer than cane, I really like them.

**Q: I'm debating between 2.0 and 2.5 strength for my alto sax.. How does strength compare to the wood reeds?**
A: i'm using the 2.5 right now, is almos identical, i don't really feel a great difference in resistance, i you want to continue growing i recommend you to use the 2.5, the 2 o 3 first days you will feel some differences, but by the 4th day the reed work pretty normal.

**Q: Description says it's a coated reed. Is there any wood that's part of the reed, or is it entirely plastic?**
A: It is a coated reed, but not the whole thing.  The reed in the middle is different than the reed outside that you see when you open the box.  Look up a couple pics on google images, and you'll see that there is a wood part at the bottom half of the reed that's not filed.  This is the only exposed wooden part of the reed, and it gives it more versatility.

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A Lucky Quality Find!
*by R***A on July 14, 2025*

I'm relatively new at playing saxophone, so I've been trying different reeds, to see which ones work for me. They say to start with a softer reed. They mean the stiffness of the reed. I've started with 1.5 (much thinner than others, usually they range from 1 to 5 in half steps. There's specific tonal differences but also stiffness/ease of use. I'm going to try the 2's soon. The PlastiCover seems to be a little more stiff then the other 2's that I have ( the just caine reeds) Some times they refer to those ratings as a 'color' - lite/dark. I've settled on Rico's reeds in general. They are priced very reasonable and play well. They come on a 3 pack, also a 10 or 25 pack. They can be considered to be around $5 each, but cheaper with a higher pack. Something that surprised when I got a saxophone is that the reeds most soak before using them! The thicker, the longer they soak. Some players just put them in their mouths for a few minutes, usual while they are getting their sax out of their cases and getting everything ready. I play for enjoyment, I don't play out. I don't think this way is best, so I soak them in a cup of clean water for just a couple minutes. Rico reeds both reasonably priced and good quality. Then I heard about synthetic reads. So, I picked out one and tried it (a very popular French synthetic reed.) These reeds are supposed to last for months, which is some justification for their price ($32-$42 each). I picked out the strength I figured would be best for me. But it played a little stiffer than I thought it would, but the worst part was - the edge tore the very first time I tried it!! My understanding is that is unusual. That doesn't help when you pay that much for a single reed. So I looked around for a variation that might be more affordable for me, and lasted longer. That's when I came across the PlastiCover Reed by D'addario. That's the parent company of Rico, which helped me feel more secure with this purchase. They make things for guitar also, good quality. Happy that I didn't have to pay so much for one reed. That helped even though they are still slightly more expensive then regular reeds. That's because this reed is a hybrid. It's a Rico reed covered in a jet-black plastic. It looks like a rubber coating but either way - I didn't have to soak it in water. It plays right out of the box! I am not the best sax player around...yet it sounded about the same as the regular Rico not-filed reed. It takes a couple minutes for it to sound ready, but so do you ( all of us!). Even better, I've used the first one everyday for a couple weeks and it's still usable. Again, I DON'T pre-soak it, but I'm careful to rinse it in water after each use. So bottom line is: I'm glad they make them and I'm glad to have found them. I say that because I've never seen an advertisement for them, but they are there under either Rico or D'Addario! They even look cool! (I don't, but you can't have everything!)

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Easy to use
*by M***R on December 13, 2014*

Easy to use, plays clearly with my instrument, and lasts decently. It's less of a hassle to use these reeds. They don't require a lot of moisture after the first use, they are easy to get a sound out of, you can play with a looser embouchure, and they don't chip easily. They are a low thickness and you get a rather bright sound. The only wear I've noticed after about one month of use is small pieces of the pastic will peel off. I would say two months per reed is probably maximum usage provided you play your instrument 5 hours a week. Most instructors will tell you not to use a bright sounding reed like these ones in concert band, only use it in marching band. There is another view that I've heard with the opposite claim. A few players will tell you to use these less thicker reeds in concert band because you can play quieter with better tone than the thicker ones, and to use the thicker ones (not these) in marching band because it requires you to use more air and thus play louder. Good reeds for nonprofessional players.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Straight upgrade from standard reeds
*by L***) on June 8, 2021*

Holy Cow! I bought these because the reeds I bought before were too airy. I had some normal reeds that consistently sounded like I was blowing up a balloon whilst playing. I looked up what could be making the noise (I recently switched from Tenor to Alto and never had this issue before) and most people said bad reed. That eventually brought me to plastic reeds which were too expensive for me to "try out". These plasticover reeds are a great mix of quality and price-point. My last reeds wouldn't last very long, but I can already feel that these are going to last well over a month per reed. I play about 3 or 4 times a week for an hour at a time. I can just slap the reed on my mouthpiece without having to soak it, just a quick suck is sufficient. They are far more durable than a normal reed and don't split like many tips have before. Overall, I love these and will purchase more in the future.

## Frequently Bought Together

- D'Addario Woodwinds Rico Plasticover Alto Sax Reeds, Strength 2.5, 5-pack - RRP05ASX250
- D’Addario Woodwinds Rico Plasticover Tenor Sax Reeds, Strength 2.5, 5-pack (RRP05TSX250)
- Rico Plasticover Bb Clarinet Reeds, Strength 2.5, 5-pack

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*Product available on Desertcart Kenya*
*Store origin: KE*
*Last updated: 2026-02-03*