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Re: New reed adjustment method

Author: OneWatt
Date: 2021-03-20 21:26

Okay then, to share an update on my friend "flicker"...

HERE'S THE SHORT VERSION: I gave flicking reeds another try. It bombed.

LONGER VERSION: I opened a fresh box of Mitchell Lurie 3.5 (5 reeds) to perform the following experiment:

1) Briefly dipped each reed in tap water, played for a few moments to confirm none were total duds. All 5 were a tad stuffy but showed typical promise given a chance and subjected to proper adjustment.

2) I took 2 of them at random and "flicked" them.

3) The other 3 were subjected to my typical (initial = gentle) ATG treatment.

OBSERVATION: They all played okay though the "flicked" reeds felt even less cooperative - i.e., stuffier than before. But at least I didn't crack either of them this time ;-)

4) The next day I moistened them again, tried them again and again found the 2 flicked reeds to be stuffier and more difficult to play. In fact, they were both worse.

5) I ATG'ed (and also ran their backs across my vixen flat file) the other 3 and they opened up nicely.

6) The following day, I gently flicked the 2 reeds once again. Now they totally refused to cooperate at all. Like they staged a mini rebellion.

7) The next day I gave up on the flicking-only approach to those 2 recalcitrant reeds and applied ATG adjustment (and vixen flat file on the backs) to these 2 reeds also. Very little improvement.

8) Several days later: The unflicked reeds (with additional minor ATG treatment) all play beautifully. Quite nice, round tone and controllable across the registers.

Meanwhile, those 2 flicked reeds are totally f**cked. (<< see what I did there?)

CONCLUSION: I realize that ML 3.5 reeds are not everyone's favorite (nor mine) and I appreciate that an experiment with n=5 is not statistically meaningful.

But what I've concluded is that I am unable to flick reeds into cooperation. The ATG system (+ vixen file for evening out the backs) works for me. Flicking does not.

I gave it a try. YMMV.

- - - - - - - - - -
Israel = Ancient Hebrew for "Wrestles with God"
Klarinet = Ancient Greek for "Struggles with Reeds"

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Date

New reed adjustment method new

Niclas.e.gustafsson

2021-03-15 18:56