 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: bcl1dso
Date: 2006-03-15 01:04
I know I had a similar subject earlier but what do you use to cut off the back of Bb reeds to make Eb reeds. I am going to cut off the back of Whitemaster reeds
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Author: GBK
Date: 2006-03-15 01:23
For cutting off the bottom of Bb clarinet reeds, I use X-Acto saw blade Number 234, which works perfectly:
http://www.x-actoblades.com/xacto/xpage3.htm
A small coping saw will also work just fine.
Other ideas: electrical wire clippers, hack saw blade, etc.....GBK
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2006-03-15 02:05
Believe it or not, you can use a bench grinder to grind the backs of the reeds shorter -- smells a bit bad, but has the added benefit (or drawback, depending on which theory you subscribe to) of sealing the open fiber pores at the back end. Very quick, and less chance of splintering the reed than with a knife or saw.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2006-03-15 13:14
........which opens up the debate as to whether sealing off the bottom is good or bad!
Bob Draznik
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Author: William
Date: 2006-03-15 14:21
I use an electrical wire crimper--quickly (and easily) bites the base of the reed right off with absolutely no splintering.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2006-03-15 14:26
I use a cheap coping saw with a fine-toothed blade. I bought it in a hardware store around 1965 for maybe a dollar.
Cut a few strokes on the bottom and each side. Then cut down from the top. This keeps the cane from splitting. If you're persnikity about having the end even, you can trim it with a pocket knife.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Ebclarinet1
Date: 2006-03-15 15:35
I just got a good solution to NOT cutting the Bb reeds. Allan Segal's Eb clarinet barrels have a little groove around the top of the barrel so that you can use Bb reeds without cutting them. It does look a little weird having the reed stick out so far but I noticed no difference in the sound in the uncut reeds.
Should also mention that these barrels have a very interesting effect on the tone of the Eefer too. I love my Buffet Presige with its Buffet barrel but the Segal barrel makes the sound a good bit more mellow. As I described to Allan, it's sort of like the difference between coffee black and coffee with cream, much smoother and mellower with his barrel. I ran it through a number of classic Eefer excerpts and liked the sound of the Segal barrel on everything but Ein Heldenlieben as the part you sort of want BITING and IN YOUR FACE. However on everything else I prefer the Segal barrel.
To be honest I didn't think the barrel could make that great a difference in the sound, but this one impressed me as being different and better.
Eefer guy
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Author: saxlite
Date: 2006-03-18 14:00
I find that a (Sears) Craftsman HandiCut tool is perfect for quickly chopping the reeds- takes only seconds and makes a clean cut.
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