Klarinet Archive - Posting 000173.txt from 2004/06

From: "Morgul" <Morgul@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] scandal
Date: Sun, 13 Jun 2004 19:05:05 -0400

Richard,

You wrote:

> Has it crossed anyone's mind that the price of single reeds far exceeds
> the cost of the cane itself, the actual machining to produce each reed,
> the packaging costs and advertising costs to make it look seem slick
> and grand?
>
> My take on it is that too many people (companies) get a bite of the
> action before the consumers open their wallets screaming OUCH and buy a
> product that is marginal at bestl.
>
No doubt, there are many upturned palms to be crossed before cane meets
mouthpiece, but I can't help observing the classic interplay of supply and
demand. What is in demand here is not the material itself, which is
relatively inexpensivee, but the time and skill -- and machinery -- required
to turn a piece of raw cane into a reed that is at least marginally
playable. The reed suppliers are merely charging what the market will bear.
As consumers, we can express our displeasure by switching brands, but
changing suppliers would likely have little effect on the market.

OTOH, the market would be profoundly affected if enough people stopped
buying finished reeds altogether, preferring instead to hand-finish
inexpensive cane blanks to their own personal specifications. It is a
relatively straightforward calculation: determine the cost of the materials
and tools and the hourly rate you would charge for reedmaking, and the
number of finished, playable reeds you could make in that time period. If
the cost-per-reed is more than what you are paying, then keep buying
packaged reeds. If not, and you have the time and expertise, start scraping!

This approach is not without precedent. Serious double-reed players have
been making their own for centuries.

Best regards,

Stan

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