Klarinet Archive - Posting 001295.txt from 1998/10

From: Shouryu Nohe <jnohe@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: [kl] Reeds + Studies
Date: Fri, 30 Oct 1998 03:23:27 -0500

On Thu, 29 Oct 1998, Martin Marks wrote:
> Does anyone know where in the U.S. "domestic American cane" is grown? I
> thought Grand Concert reeds were manufactured with French cane.

I'm pretty sure it's grown in Arizona...I'll have to double check.

> Also, I
> don't understand how a trip to the U.S. from France of a couple of hours in
> a pressurized cargo compartment over the Atlantic Ocean could adversly
> affect the quality of reeds.

Are you sure that Vandies are transported in a pressurized cargo
compartment? As far as I know, they could just be stacking them by the
crates in Old DC-10s and flying them over to save on cost.

And even still, once the reeds get here, depending on where they go,
they're in a different climate. No place in the US is EXACTLY like
France.

> Could they possibly get water logged and moldy?

I never said that could happen - only that the cane will naturally swell
and expand whenever it changes from moist to dry environments. Mold
usually won't appear until it's been played on, since fungi tends towards
WARM, moist environments.

> Also I have heard from good
> sources that not all Vandoren reeds are manufactured from French cane.

I doubt a company with such a reputation would lie - it would backfire
eventually, and they'd lose their arms and legs.

> I
> could be wrong but I heard that some V12's were made from Spanish cane.

Again, doubtful. Besides, even if it were the case, who says Spanish cane
is inferior? Vandorens and Marcas are French cane. Mitchell Luries and
Grand Concerts are American cane. Zondas are Argentinian cane. *shrug*

J. Shouryu Nohe
http://web.nmsu.edu/~jnohe
Professor of SCSM102, New Mexico State Univ.
One of Key's 30,000 Friends
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