Klarinet Archive - Posting 000008.txt from 1995/11

From: John Dokler <john.dokler@-----.ORG>
Subj: Alexander Superial reeds
Date: Wed, 1 Nov 1995 12:22:00 -0500

In a previous post Mark Gustavson asked about Alexander
Superial reeds. There doesn't seem to have been any response,
so I'll take this opportunity to contribute my first post to the
list. I've communicated with a few of you via private e-mail, but
as this is my first post, I'll make a brief introduction:
I am a dentist and amateur clarinet player in the Cleveland,
Ohio, USA area, actually a little suburb called Fairview Park.
The demands of my private practice and family (two boys under 3
years old) do not leave me with as much time as I would like for
clarinet practice and performance, but I do what I can... which
brings me to the subject of Alexander Superial reeds. With my
clarinet time at a premium, I am always looking for any short cut
in reed preparation. Rather be playing than adjusting reeds.
Ralph Morgan highly recommended I try Alexander Superial reeds.
Although I was a bit reluctant to drop almost $20 for two tins of
five reeds each, I am now quite glad I did. I have found them
to be very consistent and far closer to being a playable reed
straight out of the bax than anything else I have tried. T guess
a sample of ten reeds isn't alot to go on at this point, but I
am getting alot more good reeds from these two tins than from
any other brand I have tried. So, for what it is worth, my amateur
recommendation is to give them a try. I do not know if Mr. Morgan
has any financial interest in the sale of these reeds, but in
talking to him, he really does seem to be convinced they are the
best of what is available today.
Also it was asked in a different post quite some time ago, what
kind of cane is used for reed making? It has always been my
understanding that only one type of cane (Arundo Donax, I believe)
has been used for making reeds and that the best of this is grown
in the Var province of France. Is this still true? With what is
being done in agriculture with genetic engineering, it seems that
developing a cane that would have superior reed properties and
resistance to breaking down with use is very possible.
Unfortunately, the economic demand for this product is not going
to make it very likely to happen. I guess what we need is some
genetic engineer with a passion for the clarinet to take on the
cause.
Anyone else out there playing on a Ralph Morgan mouthpiece?

Regards,

John
john.dokler@-----.org

   
     Copyright © Woodwind.Org, Inc. All Rights Reserved    Privacy Policy    Contact charette@woodwind.org