 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: tetiana
Date: 2003-02-15 01:55
A few days ago they arrived! My newly ordered Gigliotti reeds. With great eagerness I tore into the package, gently prepared the reed and... a fabulous reed to be sure, but no question about it, MUCH softer than my Vandoren 3 1/2s, and yet the same "size"!
It struck me that there is something afoot. Why are the reeds sold in the blue Vandoren box harder than other reeds of the same strength? Even Vandorens (eg V12s) sold under another (more expensive) label, are softer than the blue box ones. And it seems, the more esoteric the reed, the more you can be sure that it will be softer than the old standby.
I was struck with a thought. Some clarinetists (not me, for sure) believe that 'hard' is good, 'harder' is better and there are bragging rights in being able to say you play a 4 or a 4 1/2 or, ohmigod, a 5 strength reed!
Now consider. In women's clothing, the more expensive the price tag, the more expansive the size. A size 14 in a cheap brand can sometimes be the equivalent of a size 10 in a more expensive brand, and in a designer label, one you pay the teeth for, gosh, seems like you can get into a size 6, even a size 4. Bragging rights and no need to diet!
Is something similar going on here with the marketing of clarinet reeds, I wonder....?
What do you think?
Tetiana
P.S. On having bought somewhat soft reeds, my fault really - I ought to have done some research on reed softness/strength on this site before ordering, or at least written to the supplier. I'm expecting my Gonzalez reeds in the mail soon and appreciate the Dr. having given me some timely feedback on what to order.
P.P.S. Chong!! I'm worried about you! Yesterday, with wind chill, it was minus 37 degrees Celcius!
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Author: Ken
Date: 2003-02-15 02:03
If you're set-up is compatible and you enjoy playing carpenter you can often reap twice the mileage out of a nicely adjusted/broken in 5 strength Vandie reg or V-12 than anything on the market I've found.
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Author: Eileen
Date: 2003-02-19 19:01
Thought your vanity sizing analogy was very amusing. I feel like I must be the Incredible Shrinking Woman as I stay the same but drop a size every few years.
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