 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Pwrmaestro
Date: 2009-12-19 00:35
I'd like to know your thoughts about using a small cigar humidor as a means of storing reeds. There's a brand called CIGAR CADDY: very sturdy. Comes in a few different sizes. I can keep a sponge and a hygrometer in it. I'd take out the formed foam that's on the bottom; it's not needed. I can keep my reeds in reed guards, or the Vandoren plastic containers. My Rico reed holders might not fit, but I'm going to take the two to a cigar shop tomorrowl I'm just interested in doing a better job of maintaining more consistent humidity. I now keep my reeds in two Rico cases with their packs - all in a plastic bag. But some reeds still warp &/or change. Any thoughts would be deeply appreciated.
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2009-12-19 03:26
When I bought my son a cigar box a few years ago to store his cigars in they told me that he has to use distilled water other wise it will produce mold. Any air tight container with moister in it needs to have air to breath but using distilled water might prevent that from happening, no promises. ESP http://eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: kilo
Date: 2009-12-19 11:52
I think the actual reason for using distilled water is to prevent mineral build-up over time which would diminish the effectiveness of the hygroscopic agent which maintains the humidity.
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Author: Brenda ★2017
Date: 2009-12-19 13:05
For mold to grow anywhere there has to have been a source of mold spores. I don't think that municipal water would necessarily be that source, but rather the air itself. Mold is everywhere but for it to grow it needs a medium and moisture.
As mentioned before, you can keep mold from growing by using a very small amount of disinfectant in your reed water. I've used either a few drops of hydrogen peroxide OR a few drops of Listerine in the reed water and never again had a problem with mold on reeds.
My teacher makes reed cases similar to some that are commercially made, a flat wooden box with lid and a glass sheet to lay the reeds on to keep them flat. Before using the disinfectant in the reed water, mold had a great time in that closed case. Since then, no problems at all.
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Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2009-12-19 14:26
I want to ask a question - not to disparage any of the ideas that have been offered, but genuinely for my own information.
What is the usefulness of storing reeds such that they are maintained at some humidity higher than the surrounding environment in things like cigar humidors that are too large to take to the job with you? What you'd store, I assume, are reeds that you aren't using every day (unless the only playing you ever do is in your practice studio).
I don't mean this as a barb - I'm really curious.
Karl
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2009-12-19 14:30
Probably correct about the mineral build up and not mold but I know many people have complained about mold build up on the bboard before. I still believe that one of the best, and least expensive ways to store your reeds, at least the ones you use on a daily or weekly basis is to keep them in an air tight freezer bag, or other type of container, with a Rico Vitalizer in there. As long as you never leave the Vitalizer exposed to the open air for more than a minute or two at most the Vitalizer will last a year or so. Just don't let it be exposed to the open air. ESP
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Author: crsbryan
Date: 2009-12-19 14:44
My saxophone prof in college had an old glass humidor jar. There's probably a better name for it, I just don't know it. If I had to guess, it was probably about 2.5 gallons in size. He had a number of boxes of vintage sax and clarinet reeds in it. He had sealed it with vaseline at one point, and after a couple of years, it was permanently sealed. By the time I saw it, it had been sealed for a decade or two. When he retired he gave the reeds, jar, and all to another student. I was mildly jealous of those vintage reeds...
Back to the topic, I have never had any luck with humidors or bags or such. The best reeds I have right now are early/mid 90's blue box Van Dorens that have been sitting in the original package, in a storage tub with some other odds and ends. They seem to all play pretty well with little adjustment. Of course, I have adjusted to fibrecells, which play really well for me, so those Van Dorens continue to age.
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