Klarinet Archive - Posting 000426.txt from 1996/09

From: David Blumberg <reedman@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: Vandoren vs. Grand Concert
Date: Thu, 19 Sep 1996 08:59:48 -0400

Starr,
I switched to the Grand Concert Thick Blank #3 3/4 from a V-12 #4. I like the
sound of the Grand Concerts( thick only- I don't like the regulars). I wish
that they were cut more similar to the Vandorens- I use an alcohol swab (the
same thing that doctors rub your arm with before they inject you) on my
students reeds when I try them, and the cut of the Grand Concerts tends to
catch an edge of the reed- The Vandorens never did that. I tested the Grand
Concerts when I was in Belgium playing in the Clarifest with Marcus Ely trying
about 40 reeds of varying strength. I am a #30(3 3/4), Combs is a 29, and
Ricardo Morales was a 31 (I was told my Marcus). The scale ranged from 21 to
32
( I may be one off in either direction- it was 3 years ago).
David C. Blumberg
Reedman@-----.com
Ps. Now Fred Weiner carries the Zonda (no comment) reeds for under $9 box
800-622-2675

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From: Klarinet - Clarinettist's Network on behalf of Starr Schaftel Wayne
Sent: Wednesday, September 18, 1996 1:56 AM
To: Multiple recipients of list KLARINET
Subject: Vandoren vs. Grand Concert

Just out of curiosity, have any die-hard Vandoren players made the
switch to Grand Concert (thick or regular blank) reeds? If so, what
strength Vandorens did you use, and what strength Grand Concerts do
you now use.

As Always,

Starr Schaftel Wayne