Klarinet Archive - Posting 000989.txt from 1997/03

From: Jerry Korten <Jrykorten@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: Cheaper to make your own reeds?
Date: Mon, 31 Mar 1997 13:27:16 -0500

Ken asked about how much cheaper it is to make ones own reeds. Since I have
just gotten my first batch of cane since a long time ago I can comment.

The Proboe shop sells cane for $45 per pound. Of this pound approximately 1/2
to 1/3 is discarded (odd lengths that must be cut down to reed length). The
net result is about 80 - 100 reed blanks for your $45. Or about .50 per
blank.

But the next part, curing the blank and carving the reed, must also be
figured into the equation - approximately 1 hour per reed. This is spread out
over time as you work a batch of 8 blanks through the process. So there is
setup time associated with each day you do this work. At my current
consultation rates this would work out to somewhere around 5 to 10 boxes of
Grand Concert reeds. So... does it make any sense? For the satisfaction and
the custom sound you can taylor... it does to me.

There is no economic sense in making your own reeds though.

Jerry Korten
NYC