 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Jaysne
Date: 2007-04-05 23:27
I was told that you can just chop off the bottom of a Bb reed to make it fit onto an Eefer mp, and you'll be fine, so that's what I've been doing.
I haven't tried Eb reeds--I was wondering if people who have used both Bb and Eb reeds on their eefers--does it make a difference to you?
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Author: Escsrc
Date: 2007-04-05 23:54
It really doesn't. The Eefer reeds let you have a bit more fun positioning them exactly, but in the end, I stick with my WMs so that I can just buy one reed type for both clarinets. Its really up to you, but I don't see a need for changing something that works!
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Author: Tony Beck
Date: 2007-04-06 00:11
If you use V-D White Master Bbs, you can just cut them down. Most Bb reeds need to be carefully trimmed narrower as well as shorter, or you get a nasty sound from the overhanging edges of the reed. White Masters are a little too narrow for my Bb mouthpieces but play great on the Eefer.
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Author: Ebclarinet1
Date: 2007-04-06 12:30
For years I bought Eb reeds and I do occasionally use them (generally Van Doren's) or try out a new brand.
However, I really like Gonzalez Bb reeds that have been cut down for the Eefer. They play beautifully and have a huge sound. Be careful in the trimming down, however.
EEfer guy
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Author: EuGeneSee
Date: 2007-04-06 12:47
EEfer guy: How do you trim the Bb reeds? Do you just trim off the butt end to shorten them, or do you narrow them, as well? Also, do you otherwise sand them on the bottom and/or do anything to the top surface? From another eefer squeaker, Eu
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Author: William
Date: 2007-04-06 14:12
I recently acquired some Legere Eb clarinet reeds and am quite pleased with how well they are playing in comparison to the VD Bb reeds that I normally use. I play a Bay mpc which is designed to accomodate Bb reeds, but the Legere effer reeds--3.0--play just as well and without the normal cane related hassels. My lig is a Winslow sop sax model which also fits well on my Bay effer.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2007-04-06 14:26
I've tried both. Not much of a difference, but I prefer the Eb reeds even if only because I don't like to deal with reeds other than putting on the mouthpiece and play.
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Author: OpusII
Date: 2007-04-06 14:31
I play the Vandoren Traditional Eb reeds and like them very much.
Many people use Bb reeds because it's easier to play the higher notes.. but with a lot of practice you will get to the higher notes with a Eb reed (and sound great)
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Author: Ebclarinet1
Date: 2007-04-07 13:11
Hi!
I've used some fairly crude ways to shorten the reeds, including a pair of Fiskar's garden clippers. That works but tends to leave some freyed material at the end of the reeds. Because I play oboe, I have a whole set of tools for oboe reed making and the knife I use to cut the tips of my cane works well for this task too. I have a chopping block that I use to place the reed on to facilitate the process. Working with SOAKED reeds works much better than dry ones and you run much less risk of getting splinters or just outright ruining the reed. This soaking is more critical on thicker reeds like the Goinzalez ones.
My Fobes, Behn and Grabner m'pieces al seem to accomodate the Bb reeds without changing the siderails but I'm not sure that's true for other m'pieces.
It is nice to have all of the options for reed styles that the Bb has and then use them directly on the Eefer! EEfer has much fewer options. When I started doing the Bb reed cutdown method, i bought a whole range of different brands and gave them all a try. For me the Gonzalez was best, but a number of other brands gave very good results too, including all the VanDoren reed brands.
I've seen the most improvement in the LOW NOTES on the Eefer, by uising the Bb reeds, butthe whole range of the instrument is I think a bit better too.
Best of luck!
Eefer guy
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Author: skygardener
Date: 2007-04-07 14:07
I have seen that Backun makes a barrel that is shaped so you can use a Bb reed without cutting it. Never tried it, though.
when I cut reeds I use a Dremel cutting disk. It dose a clean job and I can trim a whole box in about 3 minutes. A jeweler's saw would also do a good (but slow) job.
Always cut upsidedown- from the table to the husk- to avoid frayedends touching the mouthpiece table.
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Author: Burt
Date: 2007-04-07 14:17
In a pinch, I used a Bb reed without cutting it in any way. My only problem was that I couldn't remove the mouthpiece without removing the reed first.
The reed played well, certainly better than any Eb reeds I could find quickly.
Since when are eefers supposed to play in tune?
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Author: Sean.Perrin
Date: 2007-04-08 02:46
I use whatever I have available... but I'm too lazy to cut the reeds. I have taken the top ring off of my barrel and I just put on whatever reed I feel like using at the time. Works more than fine.
Founder and host of the Clarineat Podcast: http://www.clarineat.com
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Author: bcl1dso
Date: 2007-04-08 03:55
Before I started making my own reeds I just would hack off a Bb reed. I found that taking an extremely worn out Bb reed and cutting off the back worked best especially because you could just take what was your best Bb reed and make it your best Eb reed. Ohhh well now I can just make my reeds the the exact specs of my mouthpiece. Lucky lucky ; )
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Author: redwine
Date: 2007-04-08 12:45
Hello,
I chop b-flat reeds off. The Zinner blank mouthpiece that I make accommodates this. Some mouthpieces may require a bit of sanding on the sides.
Ben Redwine, DMA
owner, RJ Music Group
Assistant Professor, The Catholic University of America
Selmer Paris artist
www.rjmusicgroup.com
www.redwinejazz.com
www.reedwizard.com
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Author: Ebclarinet1
Date: 2007-04-08 15:18
Yes I have one barrel that accomodates the Bb reeds directly too, but it is not my favorite in terms of sound, especially with the Gonzalez reeds, although it does sound OK with the various makes of Van Doren's. If you have such a barrel and like then you don't even have to cut the Bb reeds. Life is good!
I almost always find that the reed that sounds good o the Bb needs some filing down to sound as good on the Eefer, so a reed that has been played for a while on the Bb might be better directly to the Eefer too.
Eefer guy
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Author: William
Date: 2007-04-09 14:44
For cutting down my cane Bb reeds, I use an electicians wire crimper. Fast and clean. However, as I posted above, I am having very good success with some recently acquired Legere effer reeds. Great overall tone and response all the way up to A6. Bay custom mpc on a Yamaha effer.
Post Edited (2007-04-09 14:45)
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