Launched in 1993 to answer the demand of some American jazz musicians (a JAVA with even more wood), the V16 has a thicker tip than the traditional Vandoren reeds and a longer palette. The sound is more brilliant, more percussive, and particularly well adapted to more contemporary styles of music.

V16 reeds have a medium-thick heart (more than JAVA but less than Traditionals), with a profile designed for producing a strong attack with a deep, rich sound.