Klarinet Archive - Posting 000243.txt from 1997/12

From: Bill Hausmann <bhausman@-----.com>
Subj: Re: Re[4]: Reed cases
Date: Fri, 5 Dec 1997 20:52:58 -0500

At 08:58 AM 12/5/97 PST, you wrote:
> 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).

Exactly my point. Mind you, I am not saying that it does not degrade the
sound. But I have never noticed it myself. Only a scientific study could
resolve the difference of opinion.
>
> 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.
>
No argument here.

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.