Klarinet Archive - Posting 000572.txt from 1999/02

From: Jack Kissinger <kissingerjn@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: [kl] Reed Aging
Date: Mon, 15 Feb 1999 21:17:34 -0500

George Kidder wrote:

> My understanding, based on a knowledge of water movements in plants and
> Fernando's discussion, is that in use, water enters the vamp end of the
> xylem elements (various names) and travels toward the heel end by capillary
> action. Sealing the heel prevents the air present in the elements from
> leaving, and therefore resists the movement of water. I doubt if this would
> be completely effective, and certainly there would be some moisture getting
> into the reed.
>
> I had jumped to the conclusion that Fernando sealed the reed dry, since I
> would think that nail polish would be hard to apply to a wet surface, but I
> could be wrong. Remember, I myself have never tried this.
>

As I recall, the issue of sealing reeds with nail polish was discussed at some
length on the list several months ago. A search of the Sneezy archives should
yield up more detail. As I recall, however, the theory was that sealing one end
of the reed would inhibit capillary action because, given the small size of the
tubes it would be difficult for water to displace the air already trapped in
them.

Only the butt end of the reed is sealed with the nail polish. Given its porous
nature, it will likely accept nail polish wet or dry (but I haven't tried and
this is an empirical question).

Best regards,
Jack Kissinger
St. Louis

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