Klarinet Archive - Posting 000169.txt from 2001/05

From: MVinquist@-----.com
Subj: RE: [kl] Reed Life
Date: Sat, 5 May 2001 09:23:51 -0400

Reed life of 20-30 hours seems about right for me, too, with the best playing
in the 10-20 hour range. I've found that handmade reeds last a little longer
-- 30-40 hours.

Leveling the bottom on a fine flat file removes any impression made by the
window in the mouthpiece, which can revive a prematurely dying reed.

Putting an older reed in peroxide for a couple of minutes, until the bubbling
stops, adds a few hours, as does scrubbing with an old toothbrush and a tiny
amount of toothpaste.

Another few hours can be added by slicing a thick shaving about 1/8" long off
the bottom underside at the butt end, so it no longer touches the mouthpiece
table at the bottom. You could also cut off that amount with a coping saw.
Tommy Thompson recommends cutting off the corners at the bottom, into a "V"
shape.

I've tried cutting as much as an inch off the tip of a worn out reed and
recutting the vamp, but that doesn't help at all. I think that vibration
breaks down the cane structure in the entire vamp area.

When I was in the West Point Band, I found a wondrous brown-box Rico that
lasted over 2 years and still played amazingly well for parade use on an
Army-issue Bundy. What I wouldn't have paid for a Legere!

Best regards.

Ken Shaw

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