 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: J. J.
Date: 2007-05-21 15:24
Hi, I wanted to let everyone know about what I think it a great new reed case by Rico. For those familiar with the flip open blue Vandoren cases, it is very similar in basic design. The black finish is very nice for plastic and it actually looks like a Dell laptop (I think this was intentional). It hold eight reeds, like the Vandoren, but this reed case completely closes and seals.
The great improvement, however, is that there is a slot on one of the inside walls that can hold a Rico Reed Vitalizer pack. For those who don't know, this is a two-way humidity system designed by Rico that is incredibly simple in concept, but extremely effective for maintaining a stable humidity. I've thrown a number of these packs in bags with a hydrometer to test them, and they all seem to stabilize and SELF-REGULATE the humidity. You can use them in anything: a bag, a humidor, etc... But putting it in a small reed case is so convenient that I finally have a reed case that I feel is stable enough to use by itself on stage for rehearsals without bring my humidor out.
The vitalizer packs come in 58%, 73%, and 84% options. The new case comes with a 73% pack, but I personally feel that 58% is the most effective and will preserve the life of the reeds longer. For 18-22 dollars, I think it's a fantastic value.
I've been using one for a couple weeks now, and I have had great results. I recommend everyone check out this new reed case.
http://www.ricoreeds.com/productdetails.aspx?productCategoryName=Accessories&productID=7156
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Author: musiciandave
Date: 2007-05-21 16:44
I like the 73% and the case does work really well. It stabilizes the humidity quite nicely.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2007-05-21 22:09
The VD flip case has been my favorite since I got it but I hadn't seen it around recently until the new WWBW catalog came out. I'm not sure I'm keen on the idea of the "vitalizer", however.
Bob Draznik
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Author: L. Omar Henderson
Date: 2007-05-22 12:22
(Disclaimer - I sell dehygration and rehydration supplies)
I am biased but IMO the 58% packet is still a little too high for preventing mold growth - especially in subtropical GA in the summer. Your own environmental conditions and experience will dictate if you want to use the higher humidity packets to keep reeds hydrated all the time. IMO this speeds deterioration of reeds. The packets are relatively inexpensive saturated salts (chemicals) which could be researched and obtained for pennies rather than dollars per packet but then so are most of the expensive speciality items sold. They also need to be replaced often, depending on your environmental humidity conditions of course, and are an ongoing expense but WWFY.
L. Omar Henderson
www.doctorsprod.com
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Author: J. J.
Date: 2007-05-22 13:05
I would prefer a packet that was at 52%, myself, but truth be told my reeds have lasted very well and there has been no hint of mold growth. The fact that they are not warping as quickly is helping their life expectancy, I would imagine, but the reeds do not feel like they have absorbed too much or are getting mushy.
For a couple dollars, I'll gladly use a packet I don't have to formulate and worry about the packaging with.
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Author: claritoot26
Date: 2007-05-22 13:37
JJ,
I have been using the Reedvitalizer 73% packs for a couple of months. However, it seems like they don't last as long as indicated. Mine feel dry after about 2 weeks instead of 6 weeks like the package says. I tried it in the plastic zipper bag that came with it, but have since switched to a Ziploc freezer bag because I didn't think the other one seemed airtight anymore. I use the reedmate holders (without the outer case with salts) inside the bag. Do you feel that the new reed case is more airtight than a new Ziploc freezer bag?
Thanks,
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Author: L. Omar Henderson
Date: 2007-05-22 13:43
Disclaimers as above.
It happens to be 58% because that is a very cheap chemical that has a saturated salt RH at 58%, whereas 48% and 52% are very possible with other more expensive salts. I am a professional chemist, inventor, and my family calls me "cheap" used as an adjective with a following slang noun so formulation and packaging are not a problem for me but everybody has their forte and some would rather not be bothered with researching and doing it themselves. IMO keeping reeds further hydrated at > 70% RH all the time shortens their life.
L. Omar Henderson
www.doctorsprod.com
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Author: J. J.
Date: 2007-05-22 14:04
My previous experience wa sthat the higher humidity levels dried out/firmed up faster. This was very limited, however, as I soon started using only the lower levels. I didn't use the vitalizer packs for a while until just about 6 months ago, so I can't say for sure what is or isn't as airtight. My instict, though, would tell me that the case is more airtight and additionally is not responsible for as much space if that makes any difference.
Thanks for the info. Omar.
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Author: musiciandave
Date: 2007-05-22 15:11
"but everybody has their forte"
---------------------------------
Pun intended Omar?
;)
btw, if somebody is using the rico reed holder product, chances are that they possibly are playing one of their premium reeds which do come with a vitalized which is much lower than the 52%. Not sure what humidity level it is as it isn't marked, but it's supposed to keep the reeds dry during shipment. Possibly if the humidity level was a problem using that packet which comes free with the reeds would be a solution.
I personally keep my reed box stock (I have many, many boxes) in a couple of the xxx large ziplock bags with the doctor's product desicant canisters and they keep the reeds quite dry for storage.
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Author: musiciandave
Date: 2007-05-22 15:22
claritoot26, are you keeping the case closed except when taking out a reed? If the case were opened and left open while practicing, it would dry out a lot quicker I would think.
Sometimes even the supplier if the package was obtained a while back could be selling you a package which is partially crystalized from the get go. I bought a reed bag from a local music store which the crystals were completely dry in the sealed bag (so I got the bag for only $5 instead of retail).
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Author: BobD
Date: 2007-05-22 20:30
"Why are you not "keen" on it?"
I guess my opinion is it's just another gimmick just like the wet packs vd came out with plus the fact that mold likes humidity. I'm still from the school that feels its best to keep reeds as dry as possible until you use them. I don't claim to be right, however.
Bob Draznik
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Author: J. J.
Date: 2007-05-22 21:00
Bob, I actually felt the same way for a long time before trying the rico reed vitalizer packs. As I've said, I moved away from them, but have since come back to find humidity control the best way to keep the reeds consistent. First, I used my own method, but now that I've come back to the rico system I gladly use it. The fact that it works as advertised and isn't a false claim meant a lot, and actually using it has proven to be a good choice over time.
It's worth mentioning that at 58% humidity, the reeds are really not wet in any way. They feel dry to the touch and will respond as such when you first use them. On many days, you will find the humidity outside to be GREATER than this amount. It works both ways, as in the packs can keep the humidity DOWN, in essence keeping your reeds drier sometimes.
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2007-05-22 21:26
I've been using the Rico Reed Vitalizer for about 2 months now, and every time I thought it wasn't working for me, I kept on using it just in case there was something I was missing, and to give it a decent go.
I threw it away the other day. Reeds go mouldy and smell like feet. SMELLY feet. But it did come witih the 84%; that's all they had in stock. I'd like to try something else, as I am in an environment where I need to keep my reeds consistent due to the weather.
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Author: J. J.
Date: 2007-05-22 21:34
Personally, I feel the 84% pack is a joke. Hopefully you'll give the lower ones a chance at some point.
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Author: claritoot26
Date: 2007-06-07 17:06
Dave,
yes, I was pretty careful about immediately resealing the ziploc bag after removing or replacing a reed. Right now some Legere reeds are making me happy. I'll keep trying things with the cane reeds, though, because I have SO MANY to use up.
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Author: rsholmes
Date: 2007-06-07 17:39
I haven't used the Vitalizers myself, but for the past month or so I've been keeping reeds at home in a homemade reed box that uses a saturated salt solution. Supposedly that should keep the humidity in the box at just about 75%. In fact the humidistat in the box fluctuates between about 75% and 80%.
So far there has been no sign of any mold.
I would guess there are a number of factors involved in mold formation besides humidity: temperature, amount of mold spores occurring in the environment, and so on. I live in upstate New York, for whatever that's worth. I can well believe that what works in Syracuse could be disastrous in New Orleans.
For rehearsals and performances I bring reeds in a Vandoren reed case (with the dessicant cylinder removed) enclosed in a ziploc bag.
I keep only reeds I've started using in the humidified box. Ones I haven't started using yet, I keep dry.
EDIT: Disregard the no mold claim; see http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=248427&t=246547.
Post Edited (2007-06-15 00:10)
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Author: L. Omar Henderson
Date: 2007-06-13 01:08
(Disclaimer- I sell humidity control and measurement products)
Vegetative mold will grow at Relative Humidity greater than 50% and spores will germinate. The saturated salts either give up or take up water vapor according to their molecular properties of hydration and crystallation. There is only water vapor in the air to a greater or lesser extent - the salt solutions, crystals, have no properties to prevent mold. Granted the chemicals may not support mold growth or even kill mold in contact with the crystals or solution but they do not emit any anti- mold or fungus fumes into the air. Many are toxic and should not be put in contact with reeds or clarinets. The Rico choice of RH saturated salts seems to follow the cheapness of the chemicals used, and more exotic and expensive salts would IMO yield more usable RH regions.
L. Omar Henderson
www.doctorsprod.com
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Author: rsholmes
Date: 2007-06-15 00:08
I wrote:
Quote:
In fact the humidistat in the box fluctuates between about 75% and 80%.
So far there has been no sign of any mold.
I appear to have spoken just a few days too soon. Today, close to two months after I started using this box (and, of course, with the onset of summer), I noticed spots on some of the reeds.
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Author: C2thew
Date: 2007-06-15 00:40
Alcohol Alcohol Alcohol Alcohol Alcohol Alcohol Alcohol Alcohol Alcohol Alcohol
or lysol and some scrubbing
Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys, which distract our attention from serious things. they are but improved means to an unimproved end, an end which was already but too easy to arrive as railroads lead to Boston to New York
-Walden; Henry Thoreau
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Author: rsholmes
Date: 2007-06-15 00:51
Alcohol, absolutely yes.
And then I need to find something to use on the reeds...
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