 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: clarinetfan97
Date: 2012-09-01 02:01
Does this reed case help reeds from cracking and warping? Will it work with Vandoren reeds? Is it worth it?
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Author: gsurosey
Date: 2012-09-01 04:24
I use it and none of my reed tips warp. It's been awhile since I used a different reed case, but I have had problems with warping tips in the past. My favorite aspect is that I can put 4 different sizes of reeds in the same case (Eb clarinet, Bb clarinet, bass clarinet, and alto sax).
Yes, it works with different reed brands. I have Vandoren in there for Eb and Bb clarinet, LaVoz or Vandoren for alto sax, and Legere for bass clarinet.
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Rachel
Clarinet Stash:
Bb/A: Buffet R13
Eb: Bundy
Bass: Royal Global Max
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2012-09-01 16:06
Any case, or plastic bag, will work with the vitalizer. That's what keeps the reed from warping and changing as long as you keep both the reeds and the vitalizer from sitting in the open air for more then a few seconds when not playing. My vitalizers last me up to two years because I never ever let it, or my reeds, be exposed to the open air any longer then it takes me to take a reed out, in which case I close the bag and the case. The reed case itself is air tight and I use them with most of my reeds but I keep my bass reeds in an older type of reed case in an air tight bag and just keep it closed with the vitalizer in it all the time.
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2012-09-01 18:28
I have a somewhat against-the-current opinion about this.
To begin with, the reed case will not by itself keep reeds from warping or cracking, and the Vitalizer pack, as Ed said, can be used to keep reeds humidified in any reed case - you just need a seal-able plastic bag to keep the case in.
Based solely on my own experience, the Rico Vitalizer does mostly eliminate the main cause of reeds' warping - reeds that dry unevenly from front to back, which happens when reed holders hold a reed, under varying amounts of pressure, with its flat side against a hard surface, usually glass or some kind of plastic. The Vitalizer helps avoid this by keeping the reed from drying enough to cause the problem in the first place. It hasn't anything at all to do with the case, it's the constant humidity limiting the evaporation of moisture from the reed from top or bottom.
The other part of the answer is that any method that allows the reed to dry evenly from both the front and the back will work as well to prevent warped reeds. I currently use a reed case made by Gonzalez that holds the reeds on their edges, so both surfaces are equally exposed to air. I don't have a problem at all with warped reeds, nor do my reeds ever crack. Eventually they simply get old and tired and I replace them. Some of the plastic "reed-guard" type holders have grooves in the surface that the flat side of the reed contacts, which is a design that's meant to allow air under the reed to even out evaporation. I haven't used those enough to know if they really accomplish the purpose. You can also prevent warping after a practice session at home by simply drying the reed flat side up until it has completely dried out, then storing it in whatever reed holder you like.
What the Vitalizers do better, or at least more conveniently, than anything else I've seen on the market is to keep the reed moist. As a result it takes almost no time at all, even with very old reeds, to get one ready to play - it's nearly as quick as simply putting a synthetic reed on the mouthpiece and starting to play immediately. Some players are convinced that this stretches the life of the cane by avoiding some of the causes of breakdown.
So, trying them can't hurt and depending on what you want them to accomplish, they can be very helpful and, therefore, worth their small cost.
Karl
Post Edited (2012-09-02 01:59)
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2012-09-02 00:53
I will say this about my reeds. In the past 20-25 years I've never had one of my good reeds warp so they would not seal on the facing on the mouthpiece. Before and since I was using the vitalizers. The way I prepare my reeds, got it on my website, which I've been doing for as long as I remember has I've been a 100% success as far as my reeds sealing properly. When I say never, I really mean never. It's not that complicated. The vitalizers just make it that much easier.
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2012-09-02 13:03
Ed -
The Vitalizer comes with 58% or 73% packs. Which do you use/recommend?
Ken Shaw
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2012-09-04 21:00
I use the 58, I feel that's enough to keep my reeds steady. As long as I don't let the reeds sit out in the open air, as well as the vitalizer, it doesn't make a difference since either one is exposed to the air.
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
Post Edited (2012-09-04 21:03)
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