 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: cpark
Date: 2007-04-08 14:44
Vandoren V12, Rue Lepic, Blue Box, Gonzalez and many other brands of reed have basically the exact same tip shape. This shape perfectly matches Vandoren and most modern mouthpieces.
Is there a clipper out there that has this shape?
The only good clipper out seems to be the Cordier(if you try and few to find one that cuts cleanly) but it does not match the V12 tip shape. The cordier(along with other most other clippers I've tried) is too 'rounded' thus the corners of the reed dip below the tip rail of the mouth piece.
-Chris
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-04-08 14:50
What about a Vandoren reed trimmer?
They have a razor blade held in a curved clamp, and a flap (with a cushioned underside) is pressed down against the blade to trim the tip.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2007-04-08 15:14
I have Cordiers for Bb Sop, Eb A sax/alto cl?, and Bb tenor/?bass cl?, and have had no problems [that I may realise] with tip-shape diffs., I do observe how well they match diff. mps. Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: kilo
Date: 2007-04-08 15:15
Quote:
What about a Vandoren reed trimmer?
And if it's like my Vandoren saxophone reed trimmer there are adjusting screws which can change the tip shape.
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Author: cpark
Date: 2007-04-08 15:48
Can someone provide a link to the Vandoren reed trimmer? I can't find it online and noone seems to carry it.
Also I've heard even the Vandoren Trimmer does not match Vandoren's own shape. Is this true?
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Author: kev182
Date: 2007-04-08 16:24
I also have the same problem though the Rigotti reed clipper is very close to V12 cut, however the quality isn't so hot.
If someone could provide a link to the Vandoren version that would be great!
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-04-08 16:39
Looks like Vandoren discontinued them - so the best bet is to trawl around woodwind specialists that might have some old stock ones lurking around somewhere, or the famous auction site.
They did cut very cleanly from what I remember, and came with replacement blades. There was an adjustable guide so you could centre or offset the reed if you needed to, and it was a fairly compact design in die cast metal.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: cpark
Date: 2007-04-08 17:02
So there is no products on the market that cuts with a V12 shape?
Kevin,
I've tried the rigotti too...better shape but gives a ragged cut everytime..it's too bad we don't have more options out there....
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Author: GBK
Date: 2007-04-08 17:19
cpark wrote:
> Vandoren V12, Rue Lepic, Blue Box, Gonzalez and
> many other brands of reed have basically the exact same tip shape
Actually the tip shape of the V12 and the Vandoren Blue Box ARE different.
The V12 has a flatter tip profile, while the Blue Box is more rounded at each corner.
I have a few of the Vandoren reed clippers and can understand why they were discontinued. The cut was never clean and consistant. The tip, after cutting often had small stray fibers of cane remaining.
Changing/replacing the small razor blade was a (finger) accident waiting to happen.
The Cordier is a much better product ...GBK
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Author: Brad Behn
Date: 2007-04-08 17:55
A good technique for anyone to learn is the use of small squares of 320 or 400 grit sandpaper to be used in the final shaping process of the reed's tip. It is very easy to do and it allows anyone to make any tip shape they desire, in short order (although not as easy or quick as the sole use of a trimmer). Hint: probably more important than copying the shape of a V12 reed, it is a better idea to copy the shape of the mouthpiece’s tip.
I had a Vandoren reed trimmer for a while, but I rarely used it. It just didn't work nearly as well as my Pisoni. I have several Pisoni trimmers and although they vary in quality, a good one tops any other brand of trimmer I have ever used. The Pisoni does make a more rounded tip profile than a V12 tip but if I want to make a flatter profile, I can easily adjust the shape with sandpaper after its initial trim. Unfortunately I can’t recommend any trimmer at this point because they all have faults. Probably the best thing to do is try as many as possible and then decide which one works best for you. Don’t forget, everything starts at the tip, so it is worth a solid effort to make a beautifully shaped tip. That includes developing other techniques to help improve the potentially less-than-perfect cut from a reed trimmer.
Another option for those that are looking for a flatter tip profile is to try using a soprano saxophone trimmer and then shape the corners by hand with sandpaper.
Indeed V12 tips are different than standard Blue Box Vandorens. I prefer the slightly more rounded shape of the Blue-box tips. Frankly the V12 tip profile doesn't even match the Vandoren mouthpiece tip shape either. I don't know why Vandoren does this but I don't think it is a good thing.
I think it is important to have a trimmer in ones tool kit because I strongly believe in the merits of reed craft. There is no substitute for a great reed and any discussion to learn how to "master" the craft is a good thing in my book.
Brad Behn
http://www.clarinetmouthpiece.com
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Author: cpark
Date: 2007-04-08 17:57
Yes I agree the Cordier is the best product out but that is only because it's really the only one that works.
I know Dilutis is making a clipper. Anyone have any info on that?
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Author: cpark
Date: 2007-04-08 18:05
Thanks Brad,
I've heard good things about the pisoni...but have yet been able to locate one...
I've tried sand paper shaping, and haven't had much success, it's never as clean as the cut I get with cordier and with the cordier I at least am able to clearly see how much I'm taking off etc...
It's just frustrating because I'm starting to make some pretty good reeds, but I know my tip solution is much less than ideal.
Chris
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Author: RodRubber
Date: 2007-04-08 19:37
cpark,
There is a faction of reed makers who feel that exact tip shape does not effect the reeds performance. I am one of these people. I ave actually played performances on reeds that were still flat blank shape. I always test the reed anyway before i clip, or just sand it to a decent tip shape. I never mastered this process, so sometimes my tip looks like it was chewed by an animal. Doesn't matter, because it works
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Author: clockwiser
Date: 2007-04-08 20:26
How does the tip of the reed effect the sound?
May be it is more to do with the feel of the reed than the sound it produces?
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Author: Koo Young Chung
Date: 2007-04-09 00:42
I don't make reeds from cane,but I trim reeds sometimes.
I use a completey different tool.
As a violin maker I happen to have gouge which has a very similar curve to the reed's tip shape.
It is called 'block gouge' and has a bevel inside unlike regular gouges.
(This tool relatively cheap.)
I know this not for everyone.You have to know how to grind and sharpen etc.
But once you learn(many months of practing) how to use this tool,it'll be very easy to use for precise cutting.
Anyone needs more info,please send me an email.
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