 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: ruben
Date: 2014-04-08 11:19
I was a good friend of Chuck Olivieri and used his reeds for a long time. His company was taken over by Muncy and Chuck continued making his reeds for Muncy until Olivieri's passing about five years ago. For about the last ten years, he had been using Australian cane that was great and lasted forever (not the same cane as used by Reeds Australia). What are Olivieri reeds like these days? Are they still good or are they like the Duke Ellington Orchestra without the Duke and Gaullism without de Gaulle?
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2014-04-08 17:45
I'm working thru a 5-pack of Olivieris now. They are unlike any other reed I've ever played. Somewhat uneven in appearance from reed to reed. Cane looks very well aged; reeds take some time to break in but last and last. Heart of the vamp is very strong. Focused enough for classical playing yet enough edge for show tunes, pit orchestra, jazz. One of the very few reeds that I'd play any and all styles of music with.
Very stiff for the strength marking: Olivieri 2=Vandoren 2.5=Rico 3.
Can't comment as to how these compare to the Olivieris made by Chuck Olivieri, not having played the ones made by him.
But, these are fascinating reeds offering many musical possibilities. I'll be ordering more, for sure.
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Author: Bruno
Date: 2014-04-08 19:10
I have a couple of unopened boxes of Olivieri's. I'll have to dig into them. I always liked his reeds. Hard as heck for the strength number, though.
B>
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Author: ruben
Date: 2014-04-08 15:15
Thank you Ursa! From your description, they sound like the old reeds. The Australian cane was very, very yellow-not at all white. It is true that the reeds looked pretty rough-hewn, as though you could get splinters on your lips. I imagine Muncy is using the same machines Olivieri himself built. Chuck used to hand-finish his reeds. For some reason, the tips tend to warp a bit more than on most reeds. After a few minutes of playing them, this evens out, so bear with a reed that doesn't sound so good at first. I still have a big stock, including several boxes of the "pre-Muncy" period.
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
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Author: ruben
Date: 2014-04-08 19:25
Bruno: I agree that they are hard for the strength number, but this is because they need more breaking-in than other reeds. Once this is accomplished, they last forever. Maybe that's why Chuck had such trouble earning a living!
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
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Author: Bruno
Date: 2014-04-08 16:52
Funny! I hadn't thought of that! Now I feel bad that I haven't been more "faithful".
They are terrific reeds - I think I'll order some.
B>
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2014-04-08 22:10
Attachment: olivieri_0001.jpg (48k)
According to the box, these are Olivieri "Elite" reeds that I'm playing. Muncy Winds says these are hand polished and use the thickest, most select cane. I've scanned the three Elites that I'm working with--see attachment. They benefited greatly from additional hand polishing.
Ruben, "rough-hewn" is exactly how I'd describe my box of Olivieris--I nearly used that term in the post above. "Homemade-looking" would be another apt description.
Post Edited (2014-04-08 22:26)
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Author: ruben
Date: 2014-04-08 22:38
Ursa: We all know that a homemade apple pie is best-infinitely better than the smooth-looking frozen one off the assembly line!
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2014-04-08 19:04
I agree, Ruben--homemade is better--especially when you use good ingredients!
Do these Elites look like the Olivieris of Chuck's making?
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Author: ruben
Date: 2014-04-08 23:11
Yes, exactly. But then, I had the advantage of spending a few hours selecting them in the old days. Muncy worked for the great German maker, Steuer, so he knows a thing or two about making reeds. I am happy that the reeds are still being made. I wish this had been the case for the Swiss reeds Morré.
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
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