 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: jacoblikesmusic
Date: 2009-11-11 04:21
Is the ATG system a good buy for its price? I've been getting a bunch of mixed reviews about it. Some people say it has done wonders to their reeds, while others say its doesn't work that well and it just makes your reed too soft.
So is it really worth the money?
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Author: 2E
Date: 2009-11-11 05:39
there have been many threads on this before that youll find using the search function.
does it work well? yes
is it worth the money? yes
2E
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Author: Clarimeister
Date: 2009-11-11 08:20
It only makes your reed too soft if you sand away carelessly, sand a little bit then try it. you can't replace cane. As far as the product goes, yes it's worth every penny.
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2009-11-11 11:09
Hi,
I have been using for several years and can make good reeds really last. The tools are simple but the DVD and Tom's explanation is what makes it all work.
IMHO what you are paying most for are Tom's intellectual properties which are worth every penny. Once in a while, I'll go too far with the adjusting and have a too soft reed. But as stated above "you can't replace cane." A little at a time is best.
Yes, look for the other threads.
HRL
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Author: concertmaster3
Date: 2009-11-11 11:26
Worth every penny! I've been using mine for only a few months (Since about March or April I believe), and it's done great wonders for me. I discovered that most of the reason that I couldn't play on some of my reeds (V12 4's) was not because they were too hard, but not balanced properly.
If you do get it, really be sure to do as it says and read the manual and watch the DVD before working. It has a lot of useful information that you'll need before starting. It's a very simple system, but worth more than it's weight in gold.
Ron Ford
Woodwind Specialist
Performer/Teacher/Arranger
http://www.RonFordMusic.com
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Author: kdk
Date: 2009-11-11 14:26
I would go a little farther and say be sure *especially* to watch the video. I found the manual - at least what was included when I bought mine a couple of years ago - to be not very clear or complete, although I didn't realize how much was missing until I broke down and played the video. Ordinarily, I prefer reading to watching - video takes more time because you can't speed-watch or skim - but in this case Tom's demonstrations are in my opinion essential to understanding how to use the thing.
Karl
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Author: kdk
Date: 2009-11-11 14:33
Apropos this thread -
The one real weakness I've found with the sanding block that is the core of ATG is that, at least on the one I bought a couple of years ago, there isn't a really good way to secure the paper to the block. The adhesive edges on the papers that come with the kit didn't hold very long, and no brand of double-sided tape or removeable adhesive (rubber cement) has worked any better for me. I have to grip the edges to hold them in place while I work the block over the reed. I don't want to use contact cement or anything else too permanent, obviously, because the paper wears out and needs replacement.
Has anyone found a way to solve this problem? Has Tom made any improvement in the block since the early ones to solve the problem? Seems like the best solution might be to split the block in half and tuck the edges of the papers inside when it's re-assembles (like the larger sanding blocks you can get easily in any hardware outlet).
Karl
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2009-11-11 15:36
The ATG is a very nice way to balance reeds.
Follow the DVD and do not rush (no pun intended) the process.
FWIW I find that Reed Rush works well when used properly.
Lastly, If your mouthpiece is one that accomodates it, a nice Legere reed eliminates the need for all of the above.
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
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Author: GBK
Date: 2009-11-11 15:53
> The adhesive edges on the papers that come with the kit
>didn't hold very long, and no brand of double-sided tape
> or removeable adhesive (rubber cement) has worked any
> better for me. I have to grip the edges to hold them in place
> while I work the block over the reed. I don't want to
> use contact cement or anything else too permanent,
> obviously, because the paper wears out and needs replacement.
> Has anyone found a way to solve this problem?
I use Duro® All Purpose Spray Adhesive (found in any craft store)
Spray on both surfaces and wait one minute.
Some of my students have made their own "homemade" ATG tool with a rubber paint sanding block, 600 grit sand paper and the above named spray adhesive.
Seems to work fine for them.
...GBK
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Author: mrn
Date: 2009-11-11 16:01
GBK wrote:
> Some of my students have made their own "homemade" ATG tool
> with a rubber paint sanding block, 600 grit sand paper and the
> above named spray adhesive.
I've used 600 before--it's quite a bit finer than what comes with the ATG kit, though. The kit comes with 320 and 400, I think.
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Author: A Brady
Date: 2009-11-11 17:16
I've had no problem using standard double-side adhesive clear tape to attach the replacement sandpaper. I keep a rubber band around the sanding block when not in use, which effectively keeps the paper in place while in use.
An excellent product which doesn't solve all reed adjustment goals, and of course cannot magically turn poor cane into gold, but will work marvelously for balancing issues.
AB
AB
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Author: kdk
Date: 2009-11-11 18:26
Glenn, Do you spray the whole surface (including the rubber pad and the part of the paper that goes over it) or just the edges of the paper and the sides of the block?
I've looked for paint sanding blocks that were small enough - everything I've found has felt a little too big to be comfortable. Maybe just because I got used to Tom's miniature one. I thought surely hobby shops would sell small ones for sanding little parts of models, etc., but none of the stores that I checked sold them.
Thanks.
Karl
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Author: cxgreen48
Date: 2009-11-11 18:51
Karl,
Are you not using the rubber band that came with the ATG system to hold the pieces of sandpaper to the block?
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2009-11-11 18:55
I made a bunch of them with a piece of wood cut @ the hardware store. Get felt (drawer liner) which is sticky on one side, put that in place, and then use double stick tape on the 320 and 400 sandpaper.
I don't ever have problems with the sandpaper coming unstuck.
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
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Author: GBK
Date: 2009-11-11 19:47
kdk wrote:
> Do you spray the whole surface (including the rubber pad
> and the part of the paper that goes over it) or
> just the edges of the paper and the sides of the block?
I spray the whole surface of the block and the sandpaper. Wait a few minutes and then press together.
...GBK
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Author: cxgreen48
Date: 2009-11-11 21:13
o_O"
Maybe that's why you have a problem with the sandpaper...
There's supposed to be a perfect-sized rubber band that goes around the block, so it holds the pieces of sandpaper together. It also helps give you a nice grip on the block.
Tom even mentions this in his video when he's talking about how to assemble the finishing block.
I bought the ATG system at the end of last year... when did you buy your's?
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Author: kdk
Date: 2009-11-11 21:46
A couple of years ago, maybe longer - time flies these days. Soon after Tom started marketing it. I can look at the video again, but I don't remember seeing it there or finding one in the packaging. Maybe that was his retro-solution after people started to complain about it?
Karl
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Author: winthropguy
Date: 2009-11-12 13:15
Mine came with the rubber band, and other than being difficult to initially place on the block to hold the sandpaper, it works great. I jumped up to a Zonda 4 (from a 3.5) reed and have almost eliminated fussing with my reeds.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2009-11-12 13:39
For what it's worth, I use the Vandoren Glass reed finishing system. However the information I got from the booklet in the the ATG finishing system really helps with that and I STILL think it's worth it. If even just for the information.
Alexi
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Author: scott kurtzweil
Date: 2009-11-12 14:08
From a player's perspective, I think the product is great. The tools are nice but the value comes in the instructional DVD.
Scott Kurtzweil
Kurtzweil Musical LLC
www.kurtzweilmusical.com
269-340-9013
scott@kurtzweilmusical.com
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Author: Joel K.
Date: 2009-11-12 17:22
"there isn't a really good way to secure the paper to the block."
I just hold the sandpaper tightly in place with my thumb and forefinger - I don't bother with the tape. Seems to work fine.
Post Edited (2009-11-12 17:24)
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Author: kdk
Date: 2009-11-12 18:56
That's what I end up doing - I just don't like having to hold it that way.
Karl
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