Klarinet Archive - Posting 000229.txt from 1997/10

From: Roger Garrett <rgarrett@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: klarinet-digest V1 #296
Date: Wed, 8 Oct 1997 13:55:10 -0400

On Wed, 8 Oct 1997 Jrykorten@-----.com wrote:

> Matt, the type of knife hardly matters.

This could hardly be less true. The knife makes all the difference...the
feel of the handle, the quality of the blade.....sharpening it is a
pain....it would be nice if it holds and edge.

> I find the cane from the Proboe shop to have been very good. They have a web
> site, so you should be able to search for "Proboe" and find them. Approx
> $45/lb of cane from which you may get 80 reed blanks or about $0.50/reed.
> When you add labor you are up around $100 - $200 per reed depending on how
> fast you are and your age.

This is nice information, but the original post was from a high school
student asking about the quality of cane in a Vandoren reed, not where to
buy cane for reed blanks. The person who was asking is just beginning to
accumulate tools for working on reeds....not starting out making reeds.

> Use wet/dry sandpaper sold in hardware stores (grits 100, 220, 400 and 600
> will get you started). You need a good small needle file (fine cut)

You only need 320 and 600 for working commercial reeds. Anything else is
too much wasted money on results that differ not at all. No file is
necessary, unless the reed worker is planning to change the contour of the
cut of the reed. If such is the case, one might recommend chaning brands
of reeds.

> say enough about the Santy's permanent reed rush (also sold cheaper as a

Reed rush wears out quickly and breaks. 320 grit sandpaper, cut into
squares is just as effective and lasts longer - is easier to store.

> Mark Charrette (Father of Sneezy and at least one animate clarinetist as
> well) says the company that "publishes" (published?) Stubbins book - "The
> Art of Clarinetistry" is near him in Michigan. Maybe this means they are
> publishing the book again? It has and excellent chapter on reed
> making/adjusting.

The Art of Clarinetistry is published by Guillaume Press, 3040 Exmoor Rd.
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109 (303) 971-7357 It possible that this book's
copyright was purchased by another publisher.......readers/contributers of
the listserv...?

Roger Garrett