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Doublereed Archive - Posting 000048.txt from 2003/05

From: Arthur Grossman <artg@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: [DR-L] New subject - Wires on oboe reeds
Date: Mon, 5 May 2003 17:03:03 -0400

You're the first oboist I've run into who admits that wires, if they were
manageable, would not be such a bad idea. Have you tried different metals
as well as thicknesses of wire? I have only in the past few years become
aware of the considerable differences in how different materials affect
vibration. I have tried the usual (for basooninsts) annealed brass and
also copper and stainless steel. The steel was, in my opinion, useless,
the brass continues to be best for bassoon, but oddly, I like the cooper
on Heckelphone. This refers to the 1st wire only. The material used for
the 2nd and 3rd wires seems to have no noticeable effect. There is also
some controversy over the best diameter of wire. I continue to use 22
gauge for both bassoon and Heckelphone, 20 gauge for contra. I have not,
myself, found any advantage in the hard-to-find 21 gauge wire.

Arthur Grossman, Professor Emeritus
Bassoon, Heckelphone and Contrabassoon
School of Music
Box 353450
University of Washington
Seattle, WA 98195-3450