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Laundered Reeds

Author: MSK
Date: 2015-12-07 06:04

Last May, my teenage son lost a reed guard and four reeds at his school's Spring Concert. I lectured him some about keeping track of his things and he replaced the reed guard. Well this morning, we dug out those concert black pants and guess what was in the pocket? I was rather surprised to discover that no harm seems to have come to the reeds going through the washer and dryer, detergent and all. Only real problem is that he has gone up in reed strength and the long lost reeds don't suit him any more.

Now that I know one can launder reeds, have to wonder if all that fussing over proper storage, humidity, break in etc was so important after all...

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Re: Laundered Reeds

Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2015-12-07 07:24

I can't help laughing! This is the first for me. Maybe you've discovered a side business. Selling laundered reeds on ebay? Safe and clean! No ironing needed.

Yes reeds are a pain to take care of regarding humidity, breaking them in, all of that. Even after all of that work they still may not play right.

They sell reed clippers to cut the tips of reeds. This can harden the reeds up a bit. Something to think about buying for your son. When his reeds feel a bit soft sometimes the reed clipper can add a bit of stiffness to the reed. I have a few. They are also good for tiny nicks on the tips of the reeds. So often you can take a reed that feels like a 2 1/2 strength and clip it to a 3 strength. Not every reed will be perfect, but you can save a lot of them.

Thanks for the laughs!

Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces

Yamaha Artist 2015

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Re: Laundered Reeds

Author: Tony F
Date: 2015-12-07 07:32

When I'm playing a gig or a practice I always slip a reed or 2 in a reed guard in my shirt pocket. It's my "get me out of here" option. My other half, Meg, has often presented me with a pair of freshly laundered reeds along with a clean shirt, and most times they still seem to work OK. Sax reeds don't seem to respond as well, possibly because of the size. They tend to become a bit wavy around the tip. I might ask her to try starching them.

Tony F.

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Re: Laundered Reeds

Author: WhitePlainsDave
Date: 2015-12-07 07:34

Well...first I incorporate a bogus business. I sell artwork and other things of highly subjective value, charging, on the books at least, my clients...I mean my customers absurdly high prices for said junk with receipts and all.

The money then gets passed through several banks in the Cayman Islands and then over it goes to Switzerland and viola..

....oh, wait, sorry, this thread was on reed laundering, not on laundering the stuff that buys reeds. [happy]

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Re: Laundered Reeds

Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2015-12-07 08:38

Adding starch, Cayman Islands, this board is out of control!

Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces

Yamaha Artist 2015

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