Klarinet Archive - Posting 000481.txt from 1996/10

From: David Blumberg <reedman@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: Vandoren /Reed Strength
Date: Sun, 20 Oct 1996 20:14:49 -0400

Yes I have been to the Factory (rue le pic) in Paris. I tried a few of the
plastic bins of reeds that everyone gets to try. That was in 1990. I hear that
they don't allow that anymore. They wouldn't let me tour the upstairs cutting
plant. I had just literally gotten off of the plane (they lost my luggage, so
I couldn't freshen up) and on to the subway to go to the factory. I was
exhausted by lack of sleep. My, what a neighborhood! From the tram to get to
the factory, I had to pass by such places as the Moulin Rouge, etc.. Quite a
red light district. Maybe I got the wrong train?
David C. Blumberg
reedman@-----.com
----------
From: Klarinet - Clarinettist's Network on behalf of Neil Leupold
Sent: Sunday, October 20, 1996 2:11 PM
Subject: Re: Vandoren /Reed Strength

> Reeds are tested by a machine that sticks holes in the Butt of the reed
(ever
> wonder what those indentations were) and tests its density. A number given
to
> the density determines what box it will be put in. Ex.- 20-23 could be a 3
> 1/2, 24-28 could be a 4, 29-34 could be a 4 1/2, and 35- end of gauge could
> be a 5.

Is that right, David? I didn't know this ('learn something new every day!).
Have you been to the factory yourself and seen this machine? Can others on
the list verify that Vandoren grades its reeds using such a machine? And
why the _butt_ of the reed? How does that reveal the density and rigidity
of the _heart_ of the reed, for I always thought the heart of the reed was
the most critical in affecting a reed's ability to vibrate.

> I still believe in the guy that puts the 1 good reed in the box.

Kind of like Santa Claus or something? This is hilarious. When I used
regular Vandoren reeds, it was true -- there was a single good reed in
every box, the rest being varying degrees of mutant cane which had to be
shaved and sanded and polished before they were usable in a performance.
Presently, I use Vandoren Hand Select reeds, and these have proven to be
a great deal more consistent in cane quality within a given box. From a
box I opened just yesterday, every single reed vibrated with the same
degree of resonance, and were all very close to the same degree of
resistance. If the cane is good and vibrates well, I don't care about
resistance. A reed can be physically altered to suit a person's resistance
preference, but there's no way to make it _vibrate_ with more response and
resonance once it's been cut and packaged.

Neil