 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: contragirl
Date: 2005-05-26 03:36
ok first off, I wanna know why some ppl would go out and buy reeds that are years and years old. I guess if they are still wrapped, they could be a good deal. But I see ppl on ebay buy USED reeds, or my local music store was trying to sell new old stock reeds and I realized that one box was opened and USED. That just seems gross IMO. eww
Anyway, I bought a couple boxes of that are 2 years old (as I am told) but still wrapped. They should still be good right? They are for my Eb, and they are Rigotti.
So, are Rigottis pretty good? How are they compared to VanDoren?
And what is up with ppl liking old reeds?
Thanks,
Contragirl
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Author: ron b
Date: 2005-05-26 06:37
Hi, Contragirl
You say, "...my local music store was trying to sell new old stock reeds and I realized that one box was opened and USED. That just seems gross IMO. eww "
Not only is it gross, it's a violation of all kinds of codes and common decency. Your local music store could be in deep doo-doo were this to come to the attention of health authorities. In California it's illegal to sell opened boxes of reeds. Once opened, they must be sold individually. I imagine other states regulate such things as well. You can sell almost anything on eBay. Buyer beware, of course, but there are some good deals out there if you're patient. I buy lots of unopened boxes of reeds from (known) conscientious eBay sellers.
Anyway, how does anyone know for sure how long the box has been unopened? I don't recall ever seeing an expiration date on a box of reeds. My un-educated guess would be that reeds have a shelf-life of roughly three hundred years. I've played reeds that I know were at least twenty years old and they played the same as reeds that I didn't know the age of.
- r![[cool]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/cool.gif) n b -
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2005-05-26 12:13
CG,
Yes, extremely gross to even think about a used reed (like using some stranger's tootbrush). On eBay, I remember someone saying that the reeds were cleaned very well. Yikes.
As far as using an older cane reed, I have several old boxes of reeds that I am holding back and slowly opening when needed. I think I must have a dozen older VD, about the same number of La Voz for sax and for clarinet, and I treasure a Roy J. Maier unopened silver box of 25 clarinet reeds; I think I remember Joh Moses posting that he marks the purchase date on reed boxes he is holding back. I have never had any problems with any of these reeds but can not compare them to newer ones since I am pretty cheap and would get ill from paying the going price on the current "hot" reed.
However, I have played through many of my discarded reeds that go back to my college days (40+ years ago), tweaked them with the ATG, and been very satisfied. So, I have no aversion to using a "mature" reed.
I have no experience with Rigotti reeds.
HRL
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2005-05-26 13:39
The Rigotti Gold reeds are a relative bargain; I find everything in the box playable, without adjustment. When I want that extra frisson of performance over and above my Legere (which ain't often) - these are reliable.
I do find that they tend to fade more rapidly than other major brands - and wonder if the playability is related to higher humidity in the package?
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Author: Slippy Bal-dog
Date: 2005-05-26 14:38
SOmeone could set up a little cottage industry of pre-'broken in' Vandoren reeds.
"Meticulous 5 day break in process.....05% peroxide solution....no more than 5 minutes a day....ready to play RIGHT NOW!"
haha.
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Author: Brent
Date: 2005-05-26 17:56
Actually, pre-broken-in reeds have already been done. Well, sort of. Steuer used to offer their reeds in a version with multiple wet sandings. Don't know that they were play-tested, of course.
Wish i could find more of the old yellow box Steuers...
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Author: John J. Moses
Date: 2005-05-26 20:35
Hi Contragirl:
Hank writes:
"I think I remember John Moses posting that he marks the purchase date on reed boxes he is holding back."
Yes, I do. Buy new, sealed boxes only! Never buy reeds from a store or supplier that have been opened or are not sealed.
If you afford it, buy an extra box or two whenever you need reeds. Use the box you need, and date the other box(es). Put them is a safe, cool closet, or wherever, and build a stock of older dated reeds. After a few years you can start to draw on your "vintage" reeds, and they'll be better for the aging.
I'm using Vandoren reeds from the 1980's, and they're wonderful.
PS Why weren't these 1980 reeds good back then, when they were new?
Aging seems to be the answer to help my reeds get better.
JJM
Légère Artist
Clark W. Fobes Artist
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Author: contragirl
Date: 2005-05-27 06:59
The boxes I bought were of new boxes of reeds that someone had that they never opened. So, they shouldn't be gross. They said they have had them for 2 yrs, that is why I said they were a little old.
--CG
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