Klarinet Archive - Posting 000055.txt from 2003/07
From: Tski1128@-----.com
Subj: [kl] ATG Reed system
Date: Tue, 1 Jul 2003 17:58:16 -0400
Opinion warning: The opinion expressed in this post is purely that of the writer, who is not receiving any compensation in connection with this product!
OK now that that is out of the way ... about a week ago I received The Ridenour ATG reed system, I had forgotten that I ordered it several weeks ago. The box consisted of a small piece of plate glass in a protective plastic case, the reed sanding device, 4 pieces of self adhesive sand paper and a video tape. Accustomed that I am to nice (expensive) reed tools (reed wizard, and the Dilutus Machine and reedual) I was to say the least, a bit skeptical as to how this little reed kit ($47)would compare to the blades and motors and steel that I'm used to.
I'm a person that likes to employ some form of scientific method when trying any new piece of gear. That means that I.
1. Read, listen or watch the directions very carefully I want to make sure that I do exactly what the inventor, manufacturer recommends.
2. I then proceed to "try it" according to those directions ... many times
3. After many successes, I have my students try it and see if the results are Even remotely repeatable. After many failures I contact the inventor or company and find out if I'm doing something totally wrong.
After 2 weeks of using this device, I am very pleased to say that I think, it really works. I have been able to balance and adjust my reeds to a much higher tolerance than before. My students watched the video, and after a few min. had a few reeds that I could actually play on. ATG stands for against the grain, the little plastic and foam sanding block allows you to not injure the reed while sanding against the grain.
The only mild complaint that I had was Tom Ridenour on the video tape. The reed info was absolutely great, but Tom can come off a little like Ben Stein ( Bueller.. Bueller). Sabine Meyer, dressed in leather and hip high boots, with a German accent telling me "You vill adjust reeds perfectly and you vill like it" would have made my day ... sorry I had a Fantasy moment there.
The ATG reed system is High Tech information that uses a very low tech tool. It's less expensive than a reed knife. It's idiot resistant, not fool proof you can still distroy a reed if you take too much wood off. It's now in my case on every gig I do.
Tom Puwalski, Author "The Clarinetists Guide to Klezmer", former principal clarinetist US Army Field Band, Clarinetist with Lox&Vodka and Yamaha performing artist
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