Author: TomS
Date: 2017-07-20 06:31
Consistency in strength is one thing while consistency in quality is quite another. When we buy a box of #3 Blue Box, since Vandoren does not have 1000 different gradings of strength (can't buy a 3 29/1000 strength, for example), so we should expect the strength to vary from 2.75 to 3.25, and without overlapping to the adjacent strengths of 2.5 and 3.5. That's just being practical ... and I know the grading technique has weaknesses too ...
However, when the quality varies due to the quality of the cane and/or the consistency of the cutting, that is where Vandoren (and others) needs more control.
I have found the Pilgerstorger Dolce to have strength variations out of the box, as you would expect, but the balance and play-ability is outstanding. Out of a box of 10, I might only have to balance one reed. Most amazing is that some of the blanks are crooked and all wonky, but the reed still plays great. So, I wonder how they do it?
The real test of a reed is how much it changes during and after the break-in period ... that's when you separate the men reeds from the boy reeds ...
For people that want to utilize all good balanced reeds in a box, I suggest delegating softer reeds to a MP that is a little stuffy and harder ones to a MP that is more free blowing ... I carry two M13-lyres, play very much alike except for resistance, one I use for the softer reeds and one for harder reeds ... I think it's a mistake to depend on one good MP or spend time adjusting reeds to fit one MP, when possibly you just need to swap MPs to fit the reed ...
It's all fun ... as I get older, I've leaned to relax and enjoy the quirks of our craft ...
Tom
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The Clarinet BBoard
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