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 Dampit or Rico Reed Vitalizer?
Author: suavkue 
Date:   2010-08-06 14:05

I just got three new packs of Vandoren 4's with a pack of V12s and I want these to last longer than the reeds I've used in the past... 5 years. I've never paid attention to humidity until the summer before I head out to college. xP

So, to the point, I have a Dampit and placed it in a sandwich bag with reeds in reed cases. Should this be efficient to keep the humidity at a good level or should I get a Rico Reed Vitalizer?

-----
My current equipment:
Ridenour Lyrique 576BC, Rico Reserve 4, Ridenour Hand Finished Mouthpiece, Luyben Ligature

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 Re: Dampit or Rico Reed Vitalizer?
Author: DavidBlumberg 
Date:   2010-08-06 18:23

Reed Vitalizer for sure. The Dampit will only add moisture, but not regulate the amount.

The Vitalizer will make it a set % of humidity.

Yes I'm an Artist for them, but I'd tell you the same thing if I were a Vandoren Artist too.

http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com


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 Re: Dampit or Rico Reed Vitalizer?
Author: bmcgar 2017
Date:   2010-08-06 21:10


Or let them dry, and avoid the trouble.

Unless you need to pull reeds out of the case and have them play immediately for you, there's little reason to humidify them.

Let the wars begin!

B.

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 Re: Dampit or Rico Reed Vitalizer?
Author: DavidBlumberg 
Date:   2010-08-06 22:57

If you like your reeds to warp easily, follow his advice....

http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com


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 Re: Dampit or Rico Reed Vitalizer?
Author: bmcgar 2017
Date:   2010-08-07 03:32


Test the two techniques yourself, and compare.

Ridenour has a few words to say on the subject of warpage on YouTube. I'll leave it at that.

BEM

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 Re: Dampit or Rico Reed Vitalizer?
Author: justme 
Date:   2010-08-07 04:37

bmcgar:-,

He has 76 videos!
I finally found it under the title: clarivid 62 warped sick freak!mp4.

Here's the URL for all interested:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2IpdR-rsbo



Justme





"A critic is like a eunuch: he knows exactly how it ought to be done."

CLARINET, n.
An instrument of torture operated by a person with cotton in his ears. There are two instruments that are worse than a clarinet -- two clarinets

Post Edited (2010-08-07 04:38)

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 Re: Dampit or Rico Reed Vitalizer?
Author: bmcgar 2017
Date:   2010-08-07 07:04

Sorry, but I was on my laptop and getting ready to head out the door, so I didn't get the specific videos that apply.

More than the others, though the others are pertinent, this "episode" hits the spot directly:

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=billyboy647#p/u/6/_EQ5nhVL8QE

B.

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 Re: Dampit or Rico Reed Vitalizer?
Author: donald 
Date:   2010-08-07 11:04

Keeping your reeds at a controlled humidity will make your life easier- you will be able to get a reed working straight away when you start playing without waiting for it too absorb moisture. It might reduce warping (as far as i can tell this seems to be the case). There's no reason to believe it will lengthen the lifespan of your reeds though it will probably make it easier for you to evaluate the performance of a reed when selecting one to play at the start of a session.
As for those Rico vitalizer things, well the only people i have ever heard of who think they're any good are Rico promoters on this bulletin board. That doesn't mean that they don't work, but the only evidence i have seen that they do comes from an unbiased source. Not ONE professional clarinet player that i have met in the last 10 years uses those things, though i have met many who use some form of specialised storage that keeps the reed humidified.
dn

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 Re: Dampit or Rico Reed Vitalizer?
Author: clarinetcase 
Date:   2010-08-08 21:40

Well, I use the Rico Reed Vitalizer and have found it beneficial. I play numerous outdoor concerts in the summer in the humid Northeast and indoors many places that are not air conditioned as well as places that are air conditioned. I play publically 2 or 3 times a week in the summer, with community bands and solo. I've found they do allow me to play well without a lot of warm up (and sometimes I have very little warm up because of the venu). I am an amateur today who returned to playing again a few years ago after 20+ years out of music. I also teach. [I do not work for Rico and no one in my family or friends works for them. ]

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 Re: Dampit or Rico Reed Vitalizer?
Author: William 
Date:   2010-08-08 21:54

Dampit or Vitalizer??? Neither. I use Forestone reeds that never warp and are impervious to all climatic conditions. Those of you that still use cane reeds and have to worry about reeds changing with the weather, drying out during a gig and losing their "zing" after only a few hours of playing, you all have my deepest symphathy.

I just spent a week in Arizona and my reeds played the same as before leaving Wisconsin--some over a year old.

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 Re: Dampit or Rico Reed Vitalizer?
Author: suavkue 
Date:   2010-08-09 00:26

Thank you for all of your suggestions. I've decided I will stick with the Dampit method for now, as it seems to be working well, until I get my own source of income. Forestone seems to be like the Legere Reeds in terms of material and price (I have a Quebec cut, 3.5), and I don't really have the resources to risk getting the wrong strength with the Forestone at the moment (if anyone can give me the strength that is closest to a Vandoren Traditional 3.5, I'd like to know it). Thanks, everyone.

-----
My current equipment:
Ridenour Lyrique 576BC, Rico Reserve 4, Ridenour Hand Finished Mouthpiece, Luyben Ligature

Post Edited (2010-08-09 00:32)

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 Re: Dampit or Rico Reed Vitalizer?
Author: Bassman 
Date:   2010-08-09 05:01

I recently tried and absolutely love the Legere reeds for my bass clarinet. I find that the strength listed on the traditional Vandoren (Blue Box) reeds are very similar to the same strength Legere. No more reed problems for me! I understand that Forestone is coming out with a bass clarinet reed anytime now. I'd like to try them.



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 Re: Dampit or Rico Reed Vitalizer?
Author: DavidBlumberg 
Date:   2010-08-09 13:32

I'd use a Humistat long before using a Dampit as the dampit dries out too quickly.

http://www.humistat.com

http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com


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