Klarinet Archive - Posting 000314.txt from 1996/05

From: eric nelson <eric.nelson@-----.US>
Subj: tube cane, handmade reeds
Date: Tue, 14 May 1996 10:19:13 -0400

Regarding Tom Labadorf's query about tube cane:

I have been trying the new much-heralded Zonda reeds, and while I find them
far superior to any other commercial reed I ever tried, they still are (for
me) not nearly as good as a well-crafted handmade reed. I note that a
handmade reed not only has a fuller, richer sound, but also will take heavy
blowing while retaining flexibility and a light staccato. And perhaps best
of all, a handmade reed, especially one which was fashioned while wet using
wet-or-dry sandpaper, will play well and consistently for 3-4 months.
Living in the Utah desert, I value highly a reed that I know will play the
same every time it comes out of the case. I have been playing my present
reed, and *only* this reed (in practice as well as performance) since March
3, and this has been for 2-3 hours daily. The only drawback I see to
handmade reeds is the time required to finish one (4-5 hours per reed) and
the fact that a handmade reed requires about two weeks of "breaking in".
They keep getting hard, and must be sanded lightly every day before finally
settling.

I make my reeds from tube cane, and because of the reeds' longevity, I use
only 5 or 6 reeds a year (plus about 4 that I mess up on and can't play).
I bought what looks like a lifetime supply of tube cane from Robert Gilbert
several years ago at the ICA convention in Richmond VA, and I haven't kept
track of suppliers' addresses. Perhaps someone from the L.A. area could
put tell us Gilbert's address, as he is in L.A., I think. It is very good
cane; apparently Gilbert owns or has interest in a French cane plantation,
and imports directly. A tip he gave me has been very helpful.. Raw cane
generally comes from France with beetles or worms or something that bores
small holes throughout. As soon as you get your raw cane, put it in the
deep freezer for several weeks to kill the critters.

I believe the Prestini Co. also sells tube cane. Be sure to order a
diameter of 25mm for clarinet reeds.

Tom, if you want to discuss this topic in greater detail outside of the
list, feel free to e mail me directly.

eric nelson
lightwood duo

eric nelson
lightwood duo