Doublereed Archive - Posting 000006.txt from 2006/12

From: "Gerald E. Corey" <geraldcorey@-----.ca>
Subj: Re: [DR-L] reed cases - oboe
Date: Mon, 04 Dec 2006 08:56:26 -0500

Dear Anne E. et al,
I enjoyed reading your messge of the advantage of a wooden reed box designed
for oboe reeds over the plastic tubes in which so many are mailed.

There are 2 methods I have used for years to hold a good humidity for my
bassoon, contra-bassoon and also my partner's oboe and E. horn reeds.
1. The easiest new method: is to use Rico Reed Vitalizer packs available
from www.wwbw.com (do a quick search for Rico Reed Vitalizers and find the
humidpak refills and the Rico Reed Vitalzier zip bag with vitalizer pouch)
(ask for 84% humidity pouches)

2. A long-term solution is one developed by my friends Ronald Orcutt and
Bill Roscoe of Erwin Tennessee. This is a means of storing reeds and cane in
cardboard boxes inside a sealed Tupperware vegetable crisper plastic box, 3
baby food jars inverted in the bottom of the box (to hold a plastic try
supplied by Tupperware above the level of a liquid stored in the box and
giving 75% humidity all year around no matter what the temperature or
ambient humidity levels may be.
Mix abouy 3/4 pound of non-iodized (sea salt is ideal) salt in one quart of
boiling water. After transferring the salt/water mix to the Tupperware
container, 1) mark the end of the box on the outside with a magic marker
pen - showing the initial water/salt level. 2) trace an unbroken line around
the inside wall surface of the box, above the water/salt surface level,
using common vaseline grease on a finger (this stops any salt solution from
creeping up the sides of the box to fall back upon the contents of the
cardboard cane and reed holding boxes).
This mode of cane humidity storage has worked perfectly in my home for many
years. Reeds given me by Vincent Pezzi used in 1939 in Minnesota and
completley dried out, re-established a natural humidity in 8 hours of being
placed in my storage box --- they played beautifully again within 3 minutes
of normal reed soaking. Sincerely, Gerald Corey, Ottawa
----- Original Message -----
From: "Anne E" <trieberts@-----.au>
To: <doublereed@-----.org>
Sent: Monday, December 04, 2006 1:23 AM
Subject: [DR-L] reed cases - oboe

> Dear LIst
> Recently I was given a new reed case made from wood -
> Tasmanian Blackwood, in fact. Previous to this I had
> transported my reeds about to and from rehearsals,
> concerts etc in little plastic tubes, or in a plastic
> style mass reed holder. Cheap and easily obtainable.
>
> The difference in the sound and behaviour of the reeds
> since being transported around in the wooden holder is
> incredible. They sound better and seem to require a
> lot less effort to get them warmed up and operating.
>
> I never dreamed that a simple thing like a reed case
> could have such an impact.
>
> While we're on the subject, how do others store their
> reeds at home ie when not being transported. Is out in
> the open air best, or should they be stored in a
> closed environment such as a box?
>
> Would be interested to hear any thoughts on this.
>
> cheers and thanks
> Anne
>
> Send instant messages to your online friends http://au.messenger.yahoo.com
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> For personal help: email doublereed-owner@-----.org
> Doublereed is a service of Woodwind.Org, Inc. http://www.woodwind.org

---------------------------------------------------------------------
For personal help: email doublereed-owner@-----.org
Doublereed is a service of Woodwind.Org, Inc. http://www.woodwind.org