Klarinet Archive - Posting 000497.txt from 1996/02

From: Bill Fogle <bfogle@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: conditioning reeds by soaking
Date: Fri, 16 Feb 1996 12:15:19 -0500

Teri---

I'm confusing "conditioning" with "preservation". Of course, I can see
that pre-soaking probably "breaks them in". My present method of keeping
constant humdity is due to the fact that I used to submit my *already
conditioned* reeds to a wet/dry/wet/dry cycle that accelerated death (no
autopsy) by storing them in too dry an environment.

As for pre-conditioning reeds, I went from Vandoren V12 #4.5 to 3.5 so
that I don't have to go through the carpentry. My idea: maintain the
play-readys rather than slave away at a tree trunk trying to make it a
good reed. My results: not in yet. Although I think those 3.5's are
maturing *rather* quickly.

OK. How long to soak them? Obviously, not overnight.

*************************
Bill Fogle
Washington, DC
bfogle@-----.edu
*************************

In a message dated 96-02-15 16:26:45 EST, bfogle@-----.EDU (Bill Fogle)
writes:

> I've seen this "soak 'em first" wisdom posted here a couple of times.
> I've always wanted to ask: don't you find the reeds warp and the tips go
> wacky when you put them through this wet-to-dry-to-wet cycle? My latest
> vision for reed longevity is the idea of "minimizing" extreme humidity
> swings. I've actually had some exciting success lately by controlling
> humidity with damp paper towels in my reed holder and stuff (no I don't
> sell reed holders! Promise!).

The idea, Bill, is to get them to warp! Then you sand out all the warpage
(avoiding the tip) and theoretically you've gotten rid of most of the
warping that reed is going to do before you ever play on it, making it much
more stable. I soak them, dry them, and sand them three times before I
play them.
Does it really work? I think so. However once you leave a fifteen dollar
box of reeds soaking overnight by mistake, you'll wonder if it's really
worth
it...

Teri Herel