 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Stephanie
Date: 2001-12-29 03:28
I'm currently using Vandoren V12's, but of course they are somewhat inconsistent. Every once in a while, I'll come across a good one; actually, there are 4 or so good ones in my box right now. But this doesn't happen too often. I don't really have the time or the money to spend on adjusting reeds, so can someone recommend a brand about equivalent to Vandoren but that is more reliable? Thanks!
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Author: Dee
Date: 2001-12-29 13:06
Go with Mitchell Lurie but get about a 1/2 grade stronger. They are wonderfully playable. There is a downside though, they don't last as long.
A lot of reed problems can be solved simply by moving the reed around on the mouthpiece or adjusting the ligature position. Here's some guidelines.
1. If it seems too hard, move it down a hair on the mouthpiece.
2. And/or move the ligature down a bit on the mouthpiece
3. If it seems too soft, move it up a hair on the mouthpiece.
4. And/or move the ligature up a bit on the mouthpiece
5. If it seems generally sluggish, move it very slightly to one side or the other.
6. Loosen or tighten the ligature. Many people play with the ligature way too tight and a few have it too loose.
The ligature lines on the mouthpiece are only guidelines for positioning not requirements. Also whatever you were taught for aligning the reed (i.e. say tip of reed even with tip of mouthpiece) is also only a guideline.
Even if you don't have time to do much adjusting of reeds, get a good reed trimmer and learn to use it properly. It just takes a second to snip a hair off a reed that is otherwise a bit soft.
I seldom bother to adjust reeds. Using the procedures above, I get 9 to 10 acceptable or better reeds out of every box of Vandorens (my preferred brand).
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Author: William
Date: 2001-12-29 15:02
Learn to adjust reeds via reed rush, a reed knife, sand paper or a "profiling" device such as are available from Gregory Smith or the Reed Wizard, both sponsers here on Sneez. It is not that difficult to realize positive results and save big $'s in being able to play more reeds per box. IMHO, there is no better commercial reed on the present market than VanDorens, inconsistant as they may be. Other brands will be more easily playable "out of the box" but none can match the durability and sound of a good, well adjusted VanDoren. Find the time "to adjust" and, Good Clarineting!!!!!!!! Happy New Year, Too
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Author: Sandee
Date: 2001-12-29 21:01
Dee suggested Mitchell Lurie - I really liked the Mitchell Lurie PREMIUM. The other M.L.s seemed too soft, no matter what grade.
My teacher felt strongly that I should switch to Vandoren; I did after I took a good look at a wet V.D. next to a wet M.L. and a wet LaVoz against the light. VanDoren definately has more wood!
I do a little work on my reeds - sanding flat, breaking them in by playing a few minutes every day. I have a reed holder that fits 4 reeds, I rotate, play a different one each day. A box actually lasts me a long time. I usually throw a reed out, not because it is played out, but because I broke it taking the horn apart, or someone took a bite out of it.
As former bassooninst, I spent my formative years making reeds. I refuse to spend my degenerating years fooling with reeds!
Toot toot!
Sandee
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Author: Joseph O'Kelly
Date: 2001-12-29 21:47
I just got a box of M L "grand concert" reeds, I got it a half size larger than my V-12s. They are pretty nice and consistant. However I don't feel they give me that nice Vandoren "ring." They are very nice reeds and actually cost a little less than the v-12s. I will still buy vandorens and work them to my liking as they usually give me the most desired sound.
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Author: David Pegel
Date: 2001-12-29 22:47
You might want to "double" and keep some of both types of reeds handy. You never know when that ring can become a nightmare.
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Author: Clarinerd
Date: 2001-12-30 00:40
Vandoren does sell boxes of what's called... "hand selected" reeds. Basically, the guy responsible for putting the one good reed in the regular box, works harder to make a box of good reeds, based on how the reed looks. It's pricey, but when you consider good reeds per box, it's the best bargoon...
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Author: Benny
Date: 2001-12-31 02:28
I have tried the Vandoren hand select reeds. They are fairly consistent, but as mentioned above, rather expensive. The big problem with them is that you might not like the same thing in a reed as the guy who put them in the box. So either you get a lot of good reeds or no good reeds.
You probably need to learn how to adjust reeds. It's not that expensive or time consuming. Go to a hardware store and get some 400 grit sandpaper to sand the backs. Buy a reed knife from IMS or brasswind and woodwind or something. (I bought mine from Edmund Nielsen, which is an oboe supply company.) Now if you really want to, you could buy a reed trimmer along with the knife, but it's not absolutely necessary.
It takes me ten minutes or less to adjust a reed. I play Black Masters and get 6 or 7 real good reeds and the rest are still fairly good.
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Author: Kristen D.
Date: 2001-12-31 21:04
Keep in mind that the Hand Select Vandorens are traditional Vandoren reeds. I
would love to have a box of Hand Select V12's, but until they exist... I'll stick with
my V12's and minor adjustments.
Kristen Denny
GTA: Clarinet, UNL
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