The Clarinet BBoard

The Clarinet BBoard The C4 standard

New Topic | Go to Top | Go to Topic | Search | Help/Rules | Smileys/Notes | Log In

Previous Message | Next Message

Re: Reed Tip Adjustment

Author: rdc
Date: 2015-05-29 07:33

Three observations:
1. Some reed makers leave the tip of the reed square, not bothering to clip it to the normal curved shape.

2. At a reed making workshop I attended a couple summers ago, one of the presenters asserted that the curve of the reed tip should match the curve of the inner side of the tip rail, not the outer. He accomplished this with a double edge razor blade (the flexible kind you shave with), but I didn't ask the exact procedure, nor have I tried it.

3. Minor problems with the shape of the reed tip can be adjusted with 320 grit wet-or-dry sandpaper by hand and eye. I did this recently with a Daddario Reserve Classic reed, which has a more shallow curve than my mouthpiece. I got it very close with just a few strokes of the sandpaper on each side of center, but I can't say that it made any difference in the way the reed played.

You might want to try the sandpaper before you invest a lot of time, energy, and possibly money in fashioning your template, and see if you hear and/or feel any difference in the way your reeds play. I personally think that as long as the reed tip seals on the mouthpiece tip rail, the exact shape of the reed tip (within reason) is probably not critical. Others may disagree.

R. Chest

Reply To Message | Avail. Forums | Flat View

Newer Topic | Older Topic

Topics