 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: TomD
Date: 2007-10-16 13:24
I just tried a Cordier reed trimmer from WWBW and I was very disappointed. Ever after the reed is secured by latching the spring, the top of the reed moves around way too easily. Even when I got it centered, it was difficult to clip it without the reed moving and the shape of the cut was more rounded off on one side than the other. I tried one a few years ago and had a similar experience but I thought maybe they had improved it. I guess not, so I sent it back. Can anyone recommend a better one? Thanks
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Author: ChrisArcand
Date: 2007-10-16 14:07
I believe your trimmer may have been defective...the reed moving around so much doesn't sound very characteristic, I've rarely seen a Cordier that doesn't strap the reed down well. As far as the edges: I would expect that from any brand of trimmer; like mouthpieces (sort of!), they vary quite a bit even within the same model and it takes a bit of a search to find one that you really like, is consistent, and fits your mouthpiece nicely. Still, if you happen to find something that you swear is better than a Cordier, I'm interested...
CA
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Author: rtmyth
Date: 2007-10-16 14:37
Very shoddy. Same problems you have. Also, the cutter shape is not ideal. It has ruined every reed . I also have a "Preciso .b flat clarinet .made in Italy" . Good for positioning and holds reed but again not the proper cutting shape, in my opinion. And yet another, about 60 years old, shaped like a lyre, simple but good design, but again not proper cutting shape.
someone suggested using an alto sax trimmer for better cutting shape. I have given up.
richard smith
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Author: John O'Janpa
Date: 2007-10-16 15:17
Even though they aren't perfect, Cordiers are the best of the trimmers I have tried.
The exact alignment of the reed is required, and at first this can be hard to determine.
Take some old reeds that are ready to be thrown away, and practice clipping them until you are adept at positioning the reed to center it, and to clip the amount you desire.
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Author: claritoot26
Date: 2007-10-16 15:38
i don't use those things anymore, because of the problems listed by you folks, poor cutting shape, asymmetrical cut. When the reed tips are too soft, I just toss it now instead of clipping. I find it much easier to take wood off a harder reed. Clipping can change the balanced resistance near the tip, which requires more work to fix after clipping. Too frustrating.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2007-10-16 16:24
I've found that on most instruments the Cordiers work well, but the Vandoren trimmer (though pricy) is an alternative worth investigating.
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Author: crnichols
Date: 2007-10-16 16:47
Robert Dilutis is selling a reed trimmer these days. It was either just released or is soon to be released.
You could contact him and try his. I think it's 50 dollars.
Christopher Nichols, D.M.A.
Assistant Professor of Clarinet
University of Delaware
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2007-10-16 20:45
DiLutis' website says it is coming in August
http://thereedmachine.com/newtools.htm
Caveats to the Cordier:
Do NOT trust the spring/adjuster table....use your thumb. Older models did not even have the holder, nor the activation lever.
Set the reed against the nonmobile portion of the cutter with the movable part cutter closed. This will align the reed. Then allow the cutter to open, and slowly advance the reed to the desired cut depth. Chop.
Note: The cutter might shape the reed like the traditional VD, not the V12. Hence the idea of using an alto sax Cordier.
As do others, the more I play, the less I use the cutter....and the more I use ....more reeds.
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2007-10-16 20:55
Well said, Alseq, A V G method of alignment. I have 3 Cords, 2 olders for Bb and Eb [sax&cl], and a newer one for tenor & bass cl reeds. They work very well with careful alignment, and "small", stepwise tip cutting, whereby mis-alignment can be corrected. Luck, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: Garret
Date: 2007-10-17 04:38
I have a Cordier reed trimmer. My reed doesn't move or slip once it is secured with the clip. However, I also hold it with my thumb to make sure it doesn't move. Once clipped, the tip of the reed (shape) doesn't match the tip of my Vandoren mouthpiece. I take a piece of 400 grit sandpaper and carefully reshape the reed tip to match the mouthpiece. I also bevel the edge on the reed so it's not sharp. Maybe this is too much bother to get a reed to play the way I need, but it works for me. I'd be interested in finding out if there is another reed trimmer that doesn't require all of these extra steps, without costing a fortune.
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Author: skygardener
Date: 2007-10-17 13:10
If you want to make the reed holder tighter, just roll the coiled part of the spring more. This requires round shaped pliers. Also flattening the spring a bit by bending it back can help too- you can do this by hand. I have never had trouble with this product, but I don't mind doing after market adjustments.
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Author: Kel
Date: 2007-10-17 15:41
As a clarinet, alto, tenor and bari sax player, I've gone to burning reeds. Instead of buying four reed trimmers, I picked up a reed burning guide developed by Santy Runyon that fits all four instruments. Works great.
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Author: John O'Janpa
Date: 2007-10-17 16:34
Back in the mid 50s my grade school band director used to "repair" our frayed reed tips, by placing the damaged tip over the edge of a quarter and burning them with a match. (He was a brass player).
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