Klarinet Archive - Posting 000829.txt from 1997/03

From: jay.seifried@-----.COM
Subj: Re[2]: ReedDuAl
Date: Tue, 25 Mar 1997 11:04:00 -0500

I found this 'article' about ReeDuAl which includes info on the company. I've
snipped out extraneous stuff. The prices, of course, may have changed since
this was posted. (It's written by a basoonist, but he really doesn't say
anything bad about us!)
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About two and a half years ago I first heard of this motordriven reed
duplicator, which is made by RABCO of North Miami, Florida. Some professional
clarinetists frustrated by a recent increase in the price of VanDoren reeds in
the U.S., were using the ReeDuAI to copy their good reeds and standardize the
cut of their commercially purchased reeds.

I immediately saw the advantage of this machine for single reeds. Not only can
a player copy the exact conformation of a successful model (thicker or thinner
if desired), he can also test the reed and return it immediately to the machine
if too much resistance is met. By using a strip of shopping bag paper in place
of the sanding strip a high polish can be imparted to the finished reed. And
slightly damaged tips can be negated by first trimming back the tip length and
then recutting the lay on a slightly shorter length reed.

At first I thought the machine impractical for our more complex curved profile.
But after experimenting with one or two machines and then learning of Bernard
Garfield's pleasure with his ReeDuAI (see article), I decided to buy a machine
also. I am now convinced that the ReeDuAI is a breakthrough for many
bassoonists who 1) wish to make many similar reeds and 2) also
wish to maintain or improve overall playing quality.

<...snip...>

The big advantage of the ReeDuAI, to my thinking, is not having to commit any
one model of profile to a metal cam or guide. A bassoonist using this machine
can employ any reed of his choosing, can change his model for every reed if he
wishes, and can vary the cut on a given reed by adjusting the tracer head
forward or back during the cutting process. For example, a thicker tip or
thinner back can be "programmed" by stopping short of the area to be altered,
moving the tracer, and continuing. Special models could be constructed from any
soft or hard material (although previously used reeds work very well for me).
Also if a student is successfully using a reed model not suitable to the
teacher's preferred breath pressure, etc., the student's reed can be
copied in a very short time and he will not have to undergo a long break-in
period.

The machine is available in three different versions for bassoonists: I) For
bassoon reeds only (cutting each blade individually) $158.00 plus $3.00
postage; 2) For bassoon reeds only, but one side prepared as above, and the
other side set up to profile blades at one long sweep - $ 173.00 plus the
postage; and 3) For all single reeds and bassoon reeds by individual blades (as
in 1). 4). $170.00 plus postage. The company offers a 21-day free trial period.
You can contact them for information on this.

The RABCO firm also offers hand reed tools and an unusual kit for the making of
self-sealing plastic pads for all woodwind instruments. The price of this kit
with instructions is $15.00, and the name is FORMASEAL. Perhaps we will have an
article on its characteristics and advantages in another newsletter.

Address of the company is: Mr. Sol Roberts, RABCO Products, P.O. Box 782, North
Miami, Florida 33161, Telephone
(305) 9474540.

Subject: Re: ReedDuAl
Author: pmflewis@-----.net at internet
Date: 3/24/97 5:29 PM

Lori Lovato wrote:
Anyone know of any published information regarding making reeds on the
ReeDuAl? Anyone have any handouts they're willing to share? I've
dusted
off my old machine and am finding out that i am rather rusty! Thanks!
Lori Lovato, SantaFe Sym.

.............

Lori,
I don't know of any published info, but you could try contacting the
company. I got a new machine in 1987 or 88, when they began production
again, and after a quick look through the box I couldn't find any info
that was sent with the machine. Whatever I got mostly had to do with
care, sandpaper recommendations, ect. anyway. The manufacturer may have
some use and tips info available now.
All I can remember is you have to watch what type of sandpaper you use.
I believe they recommend 220 (I'd have to look again), but the actual
paper thickness is varied depending on what lot you use! I also found
that the printing on the back can interfere if the ink was too thick.
This wouldn't affect the sandpaper in ordinary uses, but the tolerances
are too close on the DuAl and it can really make a mess of things. The
manufacturer does have a reorder system for sandpaper strips. I highly
recommend this.

Good luck!

Denise Gulliver-Lewis
Principal Clarinet
Elkhart Symphony

PS - say hello to bassoonist Sue Collins for me!