 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: D
Date: 2007-08-10 20:16
I need to shorten a few Bb reeds for an Eb mouthpiece. What do people use? Scalpel/knife/saw?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: GBK
Date: 2007-08-10 20:24
For cutting off the bottom of Bb clarinet reeds, I use X-Acto saw blade Number 234, which works perfectly:
http://www.x-actoblades.com/xacto/xpage3.htm
A small coping saw will also work just fine.
Other ideas: electrical wire clippers, hack saw blade, etc.....GBK
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2007-08-10 21:20
Use your <drum roll> Swiss Army Knife! <cue Angels' choir>
--
Ben
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: dgclarinet
Date: 2007-08-10 21:27
I use some wire cutters (they snap right off). I have less chance of cutting my finger off using those, not that I'm clumsy or anything.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: D
Date: 2007-08-10 21:49
I've got wire cutters and a swiss army knife with a really sharp blade. I'll have a go tomorrow. I think the wire cutters might be safest! Thanks all, and especially dg for that one.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: susieray
Date: 2007-08-11 00:15
I use my bandsaw, it takes like one second per reed. But then I realize not everyone has a bandsaw. I've tried wire cutters when I was too lazy to go out to the shop and use the bandsaw, but they tend to split the reed in half along the grain and I've ruined a few that way.
Sue
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: bill28099
Date: 2007-08-11 01:55
I use a cutting wheel on my Dremel tool.
A great teacher gives you answers to questions
you don't even know you should ask.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: bob49t
Date: 2007-08-11 07:11
No-one's suggested feeding it to the dog and see what happens.
Small hacksaw done slowly will not compress the natural tubules.
RT
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: D
Date: 2007-08-13 17:49
turns out the nail scissors worked better than the scalpel. But I think I be looking for so good hacksaw blades in the shed at the weekend. Thanks All for the help.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: saxlite
Date: 2007-08-13 20:36
I use a Craftsman Handi-cut tool- available from Sears. Works great- easy to use, perfectly clean cut. Good for cutting cork for repairs, also.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: C2thew
Date: 2007-08-14 02:21
Are you cutting the heel of the reed? what exactly does it do?
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
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Tobin
Date: 2007-08-14 02:49
C2thew,
Yes. A Bb clarinet reed is just a couple mm too long for an Eb mouthpiece. So you hack off the difference, and many prefer playing the Eefer with Bb clarinet reeds (Greater stability, easier articulation).
James
(Who is currently reconsidering using Eb clarinet reeds the way they're treating me!)
Gnothi Seauton
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: D
Date: 2007-08-14 16:12
Plus I have loads of Bb reeds knocking around the place and no Ebs.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: dgclarinet
Date: 2007-08-15 14:37
Another option is an Eb barrel made by Backun that has a slot to accept the Bb reed. I have one, and even though I think the reed plays better when cut off, it's good to know that you can just put your Bb reed on the Eb (without cutting off) in an emergency.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
