Klarinet Archive - Posting 000465.txt from 1998/05

From: Bill Hausmann <bhausman@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Marca reeds
Date: Sun, 10 May 1998 11:27:01 -0400

At 12:38 AM 5/10/98 -0500, Neil Leupold wrote:
The Marca reeds proclaim that their cane comes
>from the Var region of France, as do the Vandorens. Thus,
>the fear arises that perhaps the company that makes the
>Marca reeds are using inferior or insufficiently prepared
>cane. Who makes Marcas anyway? I'd hate to find out that
>it's a facade like the Mitchell Luries and La Voz, which
>are both manufactured and distributed by Rico.
>
Most reed cane comes from the Var region, although some is grown elsewhere,
such as Argentina (Zonda). The fact that it is a plant makes it EXTREMELY
variable. If it were consistent all reeds would be the same and we
clarinetists would have little to talk about. Marca does not seem to be
related to any other brand. But you shouldn't be so surprised by the Rico
connections. It is clearly stated on the boxes. Remember, Rico is owned
by the same company that distributes Buffet clarinets, so they must be
good, right? The differences between their brands are in both the cut and
degree of selectivity of the cane.

>And why on earth does Zonda sell their reeds in such
>unwieldy packages? Does anybody seriously attempt to
>put their reeds back in that little felt thing in which
>they are sold?
>
You got me! They should simplify the package and give you a sixth reed for
the price! They would save a ton on shipping charges alone. I can't
imagine even a clarinetist being retentive enough to put reeds back into
that package for storage (an oboist, maybe... :-) ).

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.

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