Doublereed Archive - Posting 000026.txt from 2008/02

From: "Lawrence Rhodes" <primobassoon@-----.net>
Subj: [DR-L] Re: Wire Tightening Question
Date: Sun, 03 Feb 2008 23:34:55 -0500

Mel Toub wrote:

I typically immerse them for 5 - 10 minutes prior to playing.
I find that after using a reed for a while (weeks or months), the middle
wire
gets loose when the reed is dry, so two questions...

1. Why does the wire get loose...do I continue to leach something out of
the cane every time I soak the reed causing it to shrink further?

2. Should the middle wire be re-tightened so that it always remains snug
when the reed is dry? When the reed is well soaked, the wires are not
loose...only when it's dry.

While 5 to 10 minutes won't totally waterlog a reed, I have found that a
quick dip in water followed by 10 minutes of sitting will do as well or
better. Water expands the cells of the reed & will over time do just as you
say. loosen your wires. If you tighten wires every time it dries you will
just round out the throat of the reed. Just make sure the wires are snug
when wet only. Every time you play a reed you add to it. You will only
leach if you could clean it perfectly. No chance of that. Your body
chemistry determins how long your your reeds will last & perform while
lasting. Arlen Fast can make reeds last a very long time. If I get a third
the use from a reed I feel lucky. When I make blanks I only do a quick dip
and then wait 20 minutes before assembly. Lawrence Rhodes

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