Klarinet Archive - Posting 000067.txt from 1993/10

From: James M Norsworthy <norswort@-----.EDU>
Subj: Reed Dual
Date: Wed, 27 Oct 1993 16:39:20 -0400

Amy,

A Reed Dual machine is something like a key cutter. (That's the best way I can
describe it.) You have a model reed from which to work from, usually for me a
reed that played well but is now a bit on the soft side, that is placed on the
right side of the machine. Then you take the reed that you're working on and
put that on the left side, the side with the sanding wheel on it. It has a
dial which you can set to take more or less off of the reed and then you work
from there. However, it is best to work on the back of the reed and sometimes
the rails, never the tip because the machine will just hack it off. It
basically makes a copy of the model reed but, as we all know each reed is
different, some made out of better cane or as is most likely the case worse
cane.
It's not a cure-all but I find that it does help considerably in getting
the reed much closer to what I'm looking for. After I'm done with using the
Dual (pronounced Do-All) I finish the reed up using the standard knife,
sandpaper, or reedrush.
They are a very expensive item and there is a long wait in line for your
turn, about three years. So, check around New York for someone who has one and
maybe you'll get lucky. Hope your reed problems get better!!

Michael Norsworthy (the other Michael on the list)