Klarinet Archive - Posting 000205.txt from 2005/08

From: Peter Stoll <peterstoll2000@-----.ca>
Subj: [kl] reeds warping
Date: Fri, 12 Aug 2005 12:24:18 -0400

Hi everyone,

We have had an exceptionally weird summer up here with
wildly fluctuating levels of climate and humidity. I
(and other locals I have talked to) have found most of
my reeds (Vandoren reg's strength 4) warp, some
continuously, on the bottom of the table. Sanding the
backs removes most of the Vand.insignia. I have been
for years taking Howard Klug's advice and letting the
reed dry back up before putting them away so they dry
evenly. No dice. I wet 'em in a plastic film can
half-filled with water for a minute or so.

I've tried switching to the Vandoren plastic cases
with grooves underneath, then back to flat glass
bottomed-cases and even licking the bottoms and
sticking 'em wet right on to see if that made any
difference. Still no progress. FWIW I work my reeds in
slowly over 5 days or so at the start. I've been
trying not polishing/sealing the vamp side to see if
that will do anything for the last few months.

I would greatly appreciate hearing from anyone who has
had and conquered this problem or tried these or other
solutions. We need these darn things so any
help/insights are much appreciated (I've been using a
Vand.Optimum ligature).

Thanks,

Peter Stoll

Peter Stoll

University of Toronto
RCM College of Examiners
Toronto Philharmonia
ERGO ensemble
Talisker Players

Find your next car at http://autos.yahoo.ca

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