Klarinet Archive - Posting 000370.txt from 1996/01

From: "Edwin V. Lacy" <el2@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Acetone & Reeds
Date: Sat, 20 Jan 1996 09:47:21 -0500

On Sat, 20 Jan 1996, From the =?iso-8859-1?Q?S=E1nchez?= Computer wrote:

> May I ask a question- what exactly is acetone?

According to Webster's New World Dictionary:

"Acetone: A colorless, flammable, volatile liquid, CH3 CO CH3, used in
organic synthesis and as a solvent, esp. in making rayon."

I have occasion to use it in making bassoon reeds. It is the solvent in
the material many of us use to coat the wrapping. The warnings on the
container sound very dire. Breathing the fumes can be harmful or fatal,
etc., etc.

The practice of dissolving toothbrush handles in acetone to coat the
backs of bassoon reeds is still used. But, after the acetone evaporates,
which happens fairly quickly, whatever material is left will be inert, so
playing on a reed coated in this manner should not cause brain damage, at
least no more than playing on poor reeds in general! :-)

Ed Lacy
el2@-----.edu