Klarinet Archive - Posting 000559.txt from 1999/02

From: "Marty Marks" <RxReed@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] re reed aging
Date: Mon, 15 Feb 1999 01:27:25 -0500

I wasn't going to discuss on this list the project I have been working on
for the past year because I thought it would seem that I was using the list
sell a product, but since one of the current topics of discussion is the
aging and curing of reeds, I would like to present to the list the results
of my experimentation with a chemical solution I have been testing and
hopefully perfecting. I got involved in this because I usually only get a
couple of playable reeds per box, sometimes I get lucky and get three or
four. I play about four hours a day and for me reeds are a big expense. I
had to make them last longer. At first I tried various coatings, but they
made the reeds sound overly bright. I gave up on the coatings and worked on
impregnating the fibers with a waterproofing substance that would not
dissolve in saliva. I got lucky and found the right mixture. I have been
playing reeds treated in this solution for about six months. I get about
double the reed life I got before. In addition the reeds play with more
resonance. This however is no magic elixir. I t won't make bad reeds play.
I only treat performance quality reeds that have been tested and partially
adjusted. I can treat at least twenty reeds in a half ounce bottle of
solution. Another important bonus is that the reeds become very stable.
They play the same from day to day until they finally die. They don't seem
to get waterlogged. I've personally only tested these treated reeds in
south Florida, but they seem to play the same on dry or humid days. As
far as I can determine this product is unique. Has anyone heard of or
experimented with this type of reed treatment?

Marty Marks

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