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 Possible to Sterilize Synthetic Reeds?
Author: BethGraham 
Date:   2021-05-11 18:18

So, I've got a Legere Signature reed that's a bit too hard for me, and too old to return to Legere via its Exchange of Strength program. I'm thinking of sterilizing the reed and offering it to a friend, but first wanted to ask here:

1) Is it really possible to fully sterilize synthetic reeds (I'm thinking of doing it with hydrogen peroxide)?
2) Do you think my friend would be "squidged out" by the offer of a gently used reed? Would you?

Waste not, want not --
Beth

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 Re: Possible to Sterilize Synthetic Reeds?
Author: Paul Aviles 
Date:   2021-05-11 18:29

It's not the sanitization but rather the slight bend of the reed that would be a problem. If used for several days the reed will contour a bit based on the pressure you exert versus the point at which the reed makes contact with the mouthpiece. Since no two mouthpieces are exactly the same, the performance of the reed on another facing will be less than optimal.



That said, I have quite a few batches of different strengths that I use to try new mouthpieces or bounce back to ones that I have not used in a while. The overall issue is one of determining proper strength. Once I have that, then I buy a new batch of the necessary strength for the mouthpiece I currently use. NOT optimal but less expensive. Though a reed used by someone else would be a bad choice to use in that process.




................Paul Aviles

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 Re: Possible to Sterilize Synthetic Reeds?
Author: Erez Katz 
Date:   2021-05-11 20:27

I haven't looked under the microscope, but these reeds do not seem porous to me. A gentle cleaning with alcohol should suffice, IMO.

Double reed teachers adjust and play test their students reeds all the time.

It really depends on the person.

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 Re: Possible to Sterilize Synthetic Reeds?
Author: Chris P 
Date:   2021-05-11 23:31

Polypropylene can be cleaned and sterilised easily - either in soapy water or any sterilising tablets or solution used for sterilising drinking bottles which too are usually plastic.

If your friend is that concerned even though you've told them you've cleaned and sterilised it, then they can simply wash or sterilise it themselves before they use it.

Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010

The opinions I express are my own.

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 Re: Possible to Sterilize Synthetic Reeds?
Author: Max S-D 
Date:   2021-05-11 23:41

Yeah, you should be able to wash it by wiping it down with peroxide or rubbing alcohol or soap or anything suggested here.

If your friend is that concerned after that, they can buy their own reed!

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 Re: Possible to Sterilize Synthetic Reeds?
Author: Tom H 
Date:   2021-05-12 07:53

Good solutions above. I've heard that Covid on items lasts only 3 days--not sure if that's true, and maybe that's not your only concern.

The Most Advanced Clarinet Book--
tomheimer.ampbk.com/ Sheet Music Plus item A0.1001315, Musicnotes product no. MB0000649.

Boreal Ballad for unaccompanied clarinet-Sheet Music Plus item A0.1001314.
Musicnotes product no. MNO287475

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 Re: Possible to Sterilize Synthetic Reeds?
Author: Tony F 
Date:   2021-05-12 13:37

If you dip the tip of the reed in hot water for a few seconds it will soften slightly. Worth a try, I've recovered several too-hard Legeres this way.

Tony F.

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