Klarinet Archive - Posting 000273.txt from 2000/12

From: Will Cicola <clarinetguy@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] Reed Questions
Date: Tue, 5 Dec 2000 17:41:04 -0500

>My theory is that they put one or
>two good ones in the box and fill the rest with "average quality".
>How they manage to get this consistant assortment, I can't even guess.
>
>--
>Mike Dowler

According to some source that I can't recall right now (I may have seen it
on Sneezy.org, in fact), Vandoren has the capability to measure reeds in
tenths of a strength (3.0, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, etc...). Still according to this
source, they sprinkle a range of sizes into each box. For example, if you
buy a box of 3s, the strengths may range from 2.8 to 3.3 or whatever. This
is done "so that each player can find a few reeds he or she likes in every
box" (not an exact quote, but as best as I can remember). I guess the theory
is that if they sold them by tenths of a strength, players would have to
work harder to find the tenth strength that is best for them. Also, since
the reeds themselves change with weather, temperature, phases of the moon,
number of votes Bush is leading by in Florida, etc., I guess they figure
some diversity isn't too bad. I personally wouldn't mind a little LESS
diversity, but what are you going to do?

By the way, I've been playing on V12 #5 and 5+ for a while now, and I've
found them to be MUCH more consistent than softer strengths. They also last
slightly longer.
--
Will Cicola
On the superhighway of life, I'm on a tricycle going in circles.

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