Klarinet Archive - Posting 000063.txt from 2004/12

From: Bill Hausmann <bhausmann1@-----.net>
Subj: RE: [kl] Re: Reeds
Date: Fri, 3 Dec 2004 23:33:09 -0500

At 02:47 PM 12/3/2004 -0800, Ormondtoby Montoya wrote:
>Roger Shilcock wrote:
>
> > Stiffer reeds tend to have closer fibres - so,
> > even when thinned down, they last longer,
> > are more reliable and don't get soaked.
>
>Forest Aten wrote:
>
> > How does a finishing cut, making a reed
> > thicker or thinner, make any difference in the
> > closeness of "fibres"?
>
>
>
>To some extent (hence Roger's use of "tend" is appropriate, imo) reed
>manufacturers claim that raw material properties dictate, in part at
>least, the finished reed's stiffness. Thus (allegedly) stiffer reeds
>come from batches of cane with closer fibers in the first place, no
>matter what cut or thickness is used.
>
>I can imagine that this is only partly true, but this is the claim that
>I've heard.

All reeds of a given brand and style (e.g., V-12, blue box, etc.) are cut
to the same dimensions by machine. AFTER they are cut, they are sorted by
stiffness. Thus, a 1 1/2 and a 5 share the same thickness, but the reed
material itself is denser (closer fibers) on the 5.

Bill Hausmann

If you have to mic a saxophone, the rest of the band is TOO LOUD!

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