 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: GBK
Date: 2006-06-17 22:47
Attachment: Vandoren Hygrocase0097.JPG (773k)
In my most recent supply order from Weiner Music was an advertising insert for the new Vandoren Hygrocase (see attachment)
Although I realize that a sealed Tupperware container, a ziplock bag with a moistened sponge, a cigar humidor, etc... may all achieve the same result, I would be interested if anyone is currently using this product.
BTW - The listed selling price varies widely. In a quick comparison from a few different sellers, I have seen it as low as $67.95 and as high as $109.95...GBK
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Author: CPW
Date: 2006-06-18 01:53
O' Cedar sponge........$1.59
Ziploc bag......25 cents
Reeds that work.......Priceless.
Against the windmills of my mind
The jousting pole splinters
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Author: crnichols
Date: 2006-06-18 10:24
I saw this for the first time when I was at the Frankfurt Musik Messe in spring of 2005. It was interesting, but I don't like the fact that they are stored in the little plastic things that the Vandoren reeds come in. Since I make my own reeds, which are considerably thicker than anything Vandoren makes, I worry about them pinching the heart. Also, I think it's better to store them on a flat surface.
Christopher Nichols, D.M.A.
Assistant Professor of Clarinet
University of Delaware
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Author: John J. Moses
Date: 2006-06-18 23:59
HI GBK:
"Although I realize that a sealed Tupperware container, a ziplock bag with a moistened sponge, a cigar humidor, etc... may all achieve the same result, I would be interested if anyone is currently using this product."
I am not using the new Vandoren product, but I've tried many "reed-saving"
devices in the past. I find they do not work for me. I play on my reeds every day for an average of 6 hours a day. They need time to "dry out" not stay wet. The mildew and discoloration that seems to be caused by the various "reed-savers" just does not work for me.
The old plastic, Vandoren 4 reed holder is just fine. It's inexpensive, protects the reeds in my cases, and allows the reeds to dry out naturally without much warpage. These plastic reed holders must be cleaned and disinfected from time to time, as they can also cause reed problems.
Again, I do play a lot on my reeds, and they are wet most of the day (and night), so my situation might differ from those who don't perform every day.
Just my 2 cents...
JJM
Légère Artist
Clark W. Fobes Artist
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2006-06-19 00:29
Very well said, JJM, while I dont play nearly as much as you, after a gig, I dry the [alto and bass] reeds as best I can, and when home, open the cases, take off the caps and leave all open to our 45% humidity overnite. All is dry by morning, and the reeds last a long time. On back, in my oboe-playing days, I tried keeping my reeds wet, ruined several with mold and smells, lesson well learned !! Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: Mike Clarinet
Date: 2006-06-19 07:59
To keep wet or not to keep wet - that is the question. Vandoren also have sold in the past - and presumably still do - a reed case with a dessicant cartridge in the middle. This absorbs any moisture from the reeds, effectively keeping them dry. It seems that not even a large manufacturer can decide whether to keep its own product dry or damp. What hope for us mere mortals?
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Author: L. Omar Henderson
Date: 2006-06-19 13:42
(Disclaimer - I make a reed storage container and sell humidifiers and desiccant materials)
I have come to the conclusion that your short term reed storage needs and likes depend on regional and environmental conditions plus your own personal tastes in reeds. In my own conditions here in Georgia, USA I store reeds both long term and short term at less than 50% RH because of potential mold growth problems. Although difficult to prove, I believe that low humidity long term storage of bulk supplies of reeds is best.
I saw the new Vandoren "Black Box" for the first time last week at the Oklahoma Clarinet Symposium. Indeed it looks like a nifty high tech device but of course relies on rather low tech principals and requires manual addition of water. Actually a more high tech version with separate hygroscopic chemical salt mixtures to accumulate water and metered chemical saturated salt containers that required no manual addition of water would be very possible too as a next evolution product. The competing Rico plastic bag product uses these saturated salt packets to maintain a range of relative humidity but has no meter to measure actual relative humidity in the bag or indicate if moisture should be added to maintain the saturation of the salts packet.
Both the Vandoren and Rico products are a little pricey for my liking and I can duplicate either, as can others, at a fraction of the selling price but many will opt for the ease of buying a ready made product.
L.Omar Henderson
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Author: susieray
Date: 2006-06-19 14:16
I don't play six hours a day (maybe more like 2) but I find that if I do not dry my reeds out before storing, there will be mildew problems. When I have finished playing, I just wipe the reed dry (usually on the leg of my jeans cuz it's convenient) and then allow it to air dry, bark side down, before putting it away in a plastic LaVoz reed holder. I keep four reed holders right there in my clarinet case (16 broken in reeds).
I do not live in a humid climate either, it is fairly dry here. Although a friend of mine, who also uses the LaVoz holders, keeps them in a Ziploc bag with a damp sponge and a little cloth bag of rock salt, I have never found the need to bother with anything like that.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2006-06-19 15:59
I also maintain that reeds need to dry between playings.
Bob Draznik
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Author: pewd
Date: 2006-06-19 16:24
interesting - 9 (now 10) replies, and no one's answered the original question - has anyone tried one?
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: L. Omar Henderson
Date: 2006-06-19 17:53
(Same Disclaimer)
I did some fooling around to see response and acclimation times with the sample brought by Vandoren to the show. Since it is not an active forced air system response times for opening and closing the box were in the several minutes time frame but there is probably no need for something quicker. The mass of hydrated or dehydrated material in the box would also alter the time to steady state or programmed relative humidity desired. As with any steady state seeking electronic program there is a plateau near the top or bottom with longer times needed for the last slight adjustments. Closed, the box maintained a relatively even RH programmed. All - not a scientific evaluation or use testimoney.
L. Omar Henderson
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2006-06-19 17:57
Hi Paul - I take LOH's comments as being equivalent to a trial. His discussion seems to be "its a humility-regulating device", ?true, Omar? . If its a humidifying-dehydrating device, how good is its regulation of RH ??? I worked in control systems for some 10 years. Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2006-06-19 23:22
"its a humility-regulating device"
I know aLOT of musicians who need one of these!
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2006-06-19 23:52
Yup, me too, Tks, Jack, I snuck it in to see how carefull our readers are, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2006-06-20 18:48
I really like the concept of the Hygrocase and my students use them but as for me I simply store my reeds in the plastic case after playing them and back in the grey box they come in. I used to use a very fancy reed case but found I had a problem with them changing greatly because of the hydration properties of the case style...
The weather her in Canada is so unpredictable I have a theory that a reed left alone with no sponges and humidifiers which plays well is enough of a great reed without having to worry about having a humidifier and hyrometric case to put it in!
David Dow
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