Klarinet Archive - Posting 000871.txt from 1997/09

From: Daniel.Meirsman@-----.com
Subj: Re[2]: Zonda
Date: Thu, 18 Sep 1997 20:44:07 -0400

I would like to compile a table showing correspondance of reed brands and
strengths between each other. I would also like to compile a table listing
the major dimensions of different makes of clarinet mouthpieces.

Unless of course such tables already exist, in which case I would be
delighted to receive them.

Daniel.Meirsman@-----.com

Subject: Re: Zonda
Author: majordom@-----.us at #SMTP
Date: 17/9/97 6:28

In a message dated 97-09-16 21:58:54 EDT, Ed Lacy wrote:

<< The only criticism of the Zonda reeds I have ever heard is that some
people apparently feel that while they play very well right out of the
box, they may not last as long as some other reeds.>>

Ed,

My experience exactly! I got my first "5-pack" about a year ago when
the Zonda free reed offer first hit KLARINET. I was 5 for 5 out of the
box and in heaven. But then within a period of less than a month, they
began to die very much like my experience with both Mitchell Lurie and
Mitchell Lurie premium reeds. I swapped my 3-1/2 Zondas for 3-1/4
Grand Concert thick blanks and never looked back. I play on a Jim
Kanter AA0 mouthpiece.

I have never had reeds perform so well for so long. But, I must admit,
my time-tested method of breaking in reeds is "play or you're tongue
depressors." Unlike the Mitchell Lurie reeds which when they die are
really DEAD, when the Grand Concerts appear to be dying, I give them
about week to "rest" and they seem to have the ability to rebound. I'm
still rotating and playing on the original 5 reeds I bought last
January. Not very scientific, but they work for me.

Don Gross
La Canada, California