Klarinet Archive - Posting 000520.txt from 1997/10

From: Jrykorten@-----.com
Subj: Re: Roger's comments on reed working materials
Date: Mon, 13 Oct 1997 08:58:24 -0400

In a message dated 97-10-08 14:02:30 EDT, Roger writes:

<<
>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.

So you would recommend spending a lot of money on a reed knife before you
know your preference?

> 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.

I guess I have to pay CLOSER ATTENTION! :-) Thank you. But what the heck is
someone going to do to an already made reed with a knife? Didn't you learn
that scraping a reed with a knife destroys its structural integrity by
tearing fibers out? A file, reed rush or sand paper is much more appropriate
and controllable. A reed knife is good for whittling a blank down to the
point where one can begin with a file. So I suppose that is why I assumed the
posting party was interested in making reeds.

> 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.

If you want to change the width of a reed you need to use a more coarse grit
than 300. Preferably 100, sometimes 220 if you want to do a little. You
probably accept a wider range of reeds than I do as I find it is necessary to
to use a file a lot of times. Especially near the heel.

> > 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.

That is why I recommend this super fine diamond coated file - Santy's
permanent reed rush. But for a truely controllable non clogging material
nothing beats reed rush. You are wrong in my opinion.

> > 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...?

Mark has already told us LAST YEAR that this is no longer in print from
Guillaume.

Now YOU havfe to pay closer attention Roger.

> Roger Garrett
>>
Jerry Korten
NYC