 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: tarynone
Date: 2008-02-27 02:52
This is an odd question. All sorts of things distract me from practicing, and I was wondering if anyone here might have some info on this:
Has anyone noticed that, inside each plastic reed slip-case (like those that come with blue box Vandoren reeds and V-12s) there is a number that ranges from 1 through 25? More specifically, it's located on the reverse side of the "Made in France" that is stamped on the 'spine' of the holder.
Out of curiosity, I tried to see if these numbers correlated to each reed in any way (for example if a reed was hard/soft), since I heard that Vandoren intentionally puts reeds of varying strengths inside a box of 3 1/2's. But I haven't found any correlation.
Maybe the numbers indicate which piece of machinery the reed was finished on?? or some other un-exciting reason like that? I'm curious to hear what you all think.
Taryn
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2008-02-27 09:15
It's for the Vandoren Bingo:
Download the Bingo card from their web site. Write down the number of the one good reed in the box...etc.
![[tongue]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie6.gif)
All I know is that reed and holder don't correlate. Maybe it's just the machine # on which the sleeve was made.
--
Ben
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2008-02-27 10:11
You're thinking too hard Taryn!
You'll find a lot of injection moulded plastic things have a mould number on them somewhere which correlates to the machine they came from.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: ajhogan
Date: 2008-02-27 11:04
And I was all excited that my lengthy reed selection process was over... I guess I'll just have to keep looking for another way.
Austin
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Author: cigleris
Date: 2008-02-27 11:24
'I heard that Vandoren intentionally puts reeds of varying strengths inside a box of 3 1/2's.'
I really don't think vandoren intentionally put varying strengths in 3 1/2 boxes. Perhaps 3 1/2 is a difficult strength to mass produce, this would explain the inconsistencies.
Peter Cigleris
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2008-02-27 11:30
Well, at least there's a variety! In a good way it could mean you have the choice of using a softer 3.5 if you're feeling a bit off colour one day, or a stronger 3.5 if your chops are good on another.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Tom Kmiecik
Date: 2008-02-27 15:46
I've always wondered if anyone else noticed those little numbers too! I think that what Ben said above is correct about the machine numbers. It's probably a way for them to reference back to a specific machine or operator in case there is a batch of defective reeds or the machine has some type of problem.
Interestingly, if you look at a lot of mass produced items, you will see these numbers. Next time you get a dipping sauce from McDonald's, look for the little number on the top of the package. I guess it's all for quality control...
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Author: GBK
Date: 2008-02-27 16:25
I wouldn't get too excited, because the same numbering (1-25?) is found on the individual plastic holders for Rico and Rico Royal reeds.
Perhaps a new marketing gimmick:
"Collect all 25 - complete your collection"
(Fearing we'll soon see the complete collection for auction on Ebay)
...GBK (who will trade you a #17 for a #22)
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Author: William
Date: 2008-02-27 16:56
I'm going for the ones that are double stamped or inverted--like stamps and coins.
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Author: beejay
Date: 2008-02-27 19:45
If you are coming to Paris, you can get Vandoren to clone your favourite reed. I used to buy my reeds this way, figuring it was a good way to get 10 good reeds in a box, but discovered actually that I prefer a bit of variety in each box.
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Author: rsholmes
Date: 2008-02-27 20:13
If that (measuring strength to 0.1 and then putting different strengths in each box) is true, then I'd think Vandoren is missing out on a sales gimmick by not marking the reeds with the measured strengths, so players can know which reed to use if they want a slightly stronger or weaker one.
But I kind of suspect that story is bogus, or at least not fully accurate.
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Author: BandieSF
Date: 2008-02-28 04:03
Are the numbers only present on the new flow packaging cases? Because I don't see any numbers on my old reed cases from my days on cane.
beejay- How do you get Vandoren to clone reeds like that?
EDIT- Never mind, I found the number. Would still like to know how to get the reed cloned.
-----
Current set-up:
Classical:
Strength 4 1/4 Legere Signature Series
Vandoren M13 Lyre
Jazz:
Strength 3 3/4 Legere Quebec
Pomarico Jazz*
Clarinets:
Buffet E11 Student Model
Buffet R13 Greenline
<http://operationhighschool.blogspot.com
Post Edited (2008-02-28 04:27)
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Author: BobD
Date: 2008-02-28 20:22
Rather than machine numbers these are most likely numbers that relate to positions in the mold cavity. Molds for parts like these contain numerous individual cavities for the parts involved. A defect or problem noted with specific numbered molded parts helps to troubleshoot mold , feed and cooling problems.
Vandoren's cited "explanation" sounds more like an excuse. The ability to measure strengths to a tenth doesn't say anything about the accuracy of such readings.
Bob Draznik
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Author: pewd
Date: 2008-03-02 22:55
I saw something new today - a recycle stamp on one of these reed holders.
It is marked '5' (Polypropylene).
A Bb, traditional box. Not the new flow packs.
Finally we can recycle the silly things.
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: EuGeneSee
Date: 2008-03-02 23:06
Whoa, there, Paul. Type 5 plastics have a problem in that they release dioxin when melted down.
We have a lot of retirees in this area, and they drink a lot of "pep 'em up" stuff (like good old Geritol?) that comes in a redish-brown type 5 bottle. Our recycling center gets into real hot water from the plastic companies if we ship them bales of plastic that contain the type 5 bottles, so we must put in a lot of man-hours picking them out of our incoming plastic.
I digress . . . back to those little numbers . . .
Eu
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Author: Emily's Dad
Date: 2008-03-02 23:36
BobD is exactly right. I am a toolmaker that has built plastic injection molds. Usually all cavities are assigned a number for troubleshooting purposes. The fact that they range from 1 to 25 just means that they are using a 25 cavity mold (which produces 25 parts per cycle.) Now back to your practicing, Taryn!
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