 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: reed_man
Date: 2003-04-20 08:28
Does anyone know the best way to store reeds and what is the optimum humidity. I was thinking of using a cigar humidor. Maybe a used one will leave a nice flavor. I currently use my refrigerator as storage. It seems to work OK. but i know there must be a better way.
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Author: John J. Moses
Date: 2003-04-20 14:05
Hi Reed man:
I'm not sure what the best method of reed storage is, but I've been storing my reeds in a cool closet for years.
I've been buying and storing reeds for over 40 years, and have about 600 boxes, way too many! I use the reeds stored in the closet which I have dated. I'm currently using reeds from the 1970s, and they are terrific! They're well aged, with great color, and quite consistent.
I have mostly Vandorens, with some Morees, Glotins, and Rico Grand Concerts. All of the reeds seem to age well in the cool closet, although in the summer it does warm up a bit.
The refrigerator idea does work for some of my students, but only for current reeds that they are using. I still think a cool closet would be better for long term storage than the fridge.
Good luck with your collection,
JJM
Légère Artist
Clark W. Fobes Artist
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Author: GBK
Date: 2003-04-20 14:50
Try to keep the relative humidity below 50% (where mold and mildew will not grow) and above 35% (below 35% will dehydrate reeds).
John's cool closet idea (or any cool dark place) is a good one, and obviously has worked well for him. I use a dark area of my studio, away from direct sunlight.
Eventhough I only have about 150 boxes of reeds in storage (blue/purple box Vandorens from the 60's thru 90's, Morrés from the early 70's and Gonzalez from 1998), I totally agree with John about aging the reeds as long as possible (especially Vandorens from the past 10 years).
For every box you use, buy 2 to replace it. Date and place into storage.
(by the way - very impressed with John's 600 boxes in storage) ...GBK
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Author: javier garcia m
Date: 2003-04-20 15:25
wow, I only have 3 boxes now (2 Vandorens and 1 Glotin) and I think I will have reeds at least for the next 5 years!
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Author: johnh
Date: 2003-04-20 20:37
I currently use a retired humidor for my reeds. I have added some desiccasnt canisters and am able to keep humidity to around 45%.
I also remove the wraping from the boxes and date each. I am trying to build a supply, but don't think that I will, or will want to, have oxes more than a year and half old.
John
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Author: John J. Moses
Date: 2003-04-21 02:36
BTW
My 600 (?) boxes of reeds are for the various instruments I need to play on a regular basis. They are not all Bb clarinet reeds.
I play:
Bb/A Clarinet
Eb Clarinet
Basset Horn
Bass Clarinet
Contra Bass Clarinet
Soprano Sax
Alto Sax
Tenor Sax
They all require good, aged reeds, so I have my stockpile to draw from whenever needed.
No reeds needed for:
Piccolo
Flute
Alto Flute
Recorders (all)
Ocarinas
Penny Whistles
Ethnic Flutes
and Assorted Toys!
JJM
Légère Artist
Clark W. Fobes Artist
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Author: cyso_clarinetist
Date: 2003-04-21 03:21
I was just at a clarinet workshop at Northern Illinois University and the vandoren representative showed me a new device made by vandoren soon to be in stores. It's an electronic humidifier. It keeps your reeds at a certain level all the time. Also I have found that a plastic container (not dark because of mold issues) works better than a plastic bag.
Goodluck,
James
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Author: javier garcia m
Date: 2003-04-21 11:48
John, I've experienced that reeds improve with time, so I played all the reeds I've owned. Not all of them were good for presentations.
I never kept a reed more than 4 years, I guess.
How many time do you keep your reeds?
Have you used reeds than in the first try were bad to play?
Thanks
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Author: msloss
Date: 2003-04-21 12:56
Seen in the New York Times:
"...Police report that the burglar was very selective. Mr. Moses indicated that his jewelry and cash were untouched, but whoever broke in took his Moree and yellow-label Vandoren reeds. He is currently being consoled by friends and family, and was not available to this reporter for comment."
Honest John, I'll provide them a good home ;->
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Author: John J. Moses
Date: 2003-04-21 13:24
You can have my jewelry and cash...and cars, but please give my reeds back! These days, I just send Vandoren $15 and tell them to throw out all the bad reeds in the new box, so I need all those old reeds back.
For "javier garcia m"
I have reeds going back to the late 1960s, which I save for that real special recital or concert. Right now, I'm using my saved reeds from the 1980s, they're about 20 years old. Ten year old reeds are just fine also, I've played some of mine from the early 1990s.
The new boxes of reeds that my students have me try are pretty foul, try now to use new cane from Vandoren, it needs to be aged.
It's a good idea, as GBK suggested, to buy a few boxes to put away for a while, and use as few new reeds as possible.
Good luck,
JJM
Légère Artist
Clark W. Fobes Artist
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