Klarinet Archive - Posting 000212.txt from 1997/12

From: jeff.chan@-----.com
Subj: Re[4]: Reed cases
Date: Fri, 5 Dec 1997 14:17:18 -0500

I could never tell when I had inserted the reed firmly enough so that
it would not fall out without leaving a dent. And, of course, once it
had been inserted too firmly once, the reed is dented forever.

The resulting sound degradation (this is all highly subjective,
understand): a slight loss of resonance (a less rich tone quality)
and the loss of maximum volume (loudness).

Understand, I did not do any scientific study, i.e., split one stalk
of cane to make a number of reed blanks; profile them so that they all
sounded the same, responded the same, and felt the same; then store
half of them in Reedguards and half in the Harrison and compare the
resulting playing quality over any significant length of time.

Bottom line - I have so much time invested in a reed by the time I
have taken it from cane to playable reed that I don't want _anything_
to change the profile that I have carefully worked into the cane.
Given this investment, I don't think that I can be very objective
about the dents and localized fiber compression resulting from the use
of Reedguards. The Harrison doesn't change the profile of the reed.
This alone is enough to recommend it to me.

Subject: Re: Re[2]: Reed cases
Author: klarinet@-----.us at Internet
Date: 12/5/97 2:41 AM

At 08:23 AM 12/4/97 PST, Jeff Chan wrote:
> My problem with Reedguards is the dent that they leave on the heart of
> the reed, and the resulting sound degradation. I have been using a
> Harrison case for many years now, and my reeds seem to appreciate it.
>
Yes, they will cause a dent if you jam the reeds in too firmly, but can you
document the "resulting sound degradation?"

Bill Hausmann bhausman@-----.com
451 Old Orchard Drive http://www.concentric.net/~bhausman
Essexville, MI 48732 http://members.wbs.net/homepages/z/o/o/zoot14.html
ICQ UIN 4862265

If you have to mic a saxophone, the rest of the band is too loud.