Klarinet Archive - Posting 000687.txt from 1998/06
From: "Mark Charette" <charette@-----.org>
Subj: Re: [kl] Re: Zonda Reeds
Date: Sat, 20 Jun 1998 13:06:55 -0400
From: DGross1226@-----.com>
>p.s. Kevin, I have forgotten the differences in Zonda's "I, J, & K " lot
>designations. Could you refresh our collective memories? Thanks.
I'm not Kevin, but I did save the note from Mike Abbott of HiNotes on sneezy
since it was a common question a couple of years back. Here's the note (from
http://www.sneezy.org/clarinet/Equipment/Reeds/Zonda.html ), by permission:
-----------------------------------------------
From: HinotesInc@-----.com
Subject: Re: Zonda Reeds
Hello everyone-
Thanks to all of you who had good things to say about Zonda Reeds over the
last week or so. There is one comment (a concern) that I have seen repeated
over and over, the issue of longevity, and I would like to offer my advice
on that subject.
We grade our clarinet reeds to 20 different levels (actually with the
proprietary strength grading machine we developed we can grade even finer
than that, but we feel 20 levels is sufficient). Within the conventional
half-strength system, which we use on the outside of the boxes, we have our
"sub-strength" grading. This is an optional method which lets you really
fine-tune your strength preferences. On the label on the back of the box you
will find a 7 digit lot number. The right hand digit is a letter from A-T,
and this represents the actual sub-strength of all the reeds in that box.
This results in our being able to offer you a soft, medium, or hard in
almost every conventional half-strength. This chart will explain it, I hope:
Strength Soft Medium Hard
2.0 A B C
2.5 D E
3.0 F G H
3.5 I J K
4.0 L M N
4.5 O P Q
5.0 R S T
The differences between each sub-strength are negligable, and most people
find they are comfortable playing more than one sub-strength. (They are
already playing a range of strength that is equal to 3 of our
sub-strengths). If you find that the reeds are not lasting as long as you
would like, we have had very good success asking people to try the next
harder sub-strength. They may not play as well right out of the box, but as
the reed "settles" (as every reed does) it will still have the body that you
need, and should last longer. If you break your last reed, and in an
emergency need a reed to play immediately without break-in, play the lighter
sub-strength. We have been able to fix most of the longevity problems people
report to us by educating them about the sub-strength system, so I hope it
works for you.
It is possible that your local dealer may have some reeds from before we
began the sub-strength process. These reeds will only have a 6 digit lot
number. They're still good reeds, but they will have a range of strength
like a conventional reed. Ask them to get some sub-strength graded reeds for
you to try.
We also offer a Ready To Finish (RTF) reed that has most of the
manufacturing done to it. This is for the player who has the skills to make
their own reeds, but not the time or the inclination. It's left a little
strong so you can adjust it to your liking, and the tip is not cut so you
can shape it to precisely fit your mouthpiece.
Good luck!
Mike Abbott
President
HiNotes, Inc. (a sister company of Verne Q. Powell Flutes, Inc.)
-----------------
Now, a note from me. I have no relationship to Zonda in any way, shape, or
form. This note is for informational purposes only.
----
Mark Charette, Webmaster, http://www.sneezy.org/clarinet
charette@-----.org
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