 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: DougR
Date: 2021-11-30 18:13
What’s everyone using for reed storage (hopefully in-case) these days?
I’m asking out of dissatisfaction with the current LaVoz/Daddario black plastic ones, which I had HOPED would be my all-around go-to. I have probably a dozen of them for various horns, but I’m finding that 1) the black cases are sufficiently warped right out of the box that they don’t really “seal”, and 2) I can’t find replacement humidipaks that fit these cases OR are re-hydratable.
I don’t believe it’s possible to keep reeds from major warpage no matter what; cane is gonna do what it’s gonna do, even with an anvil sitting on it. I just want enough humidity in the (small, easily portable, I WISH) cases to avoid rippled tips that take 15 minutes in the water to straighten out.
Daddario either no longer makes their own humidipaks, OR sells them individually at a ferocious price that I’m not willing to pay. The Boveda humidipaks are usable but seem to have a VERY short useful life, aren’t (in my experience) re-hydratable, and (when ordered in bulk) no longer fit the receptacle in the Daddario reed cases.
This is indeed a “first-world problem” to have, and Ralph McLane managed to make his reeds work no matter what, so why can’t I. But, thought I’d throw it out to the community.
Note, I don’t actually “know” if it hurts a reed to get as dry as desert sand in the winter; I do know it takes a while in the water to get the tips to straighten out, and I’d prefer to avoid that. Any recommendations (particularly scientifically based!) would be welcome.
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Author: prigault
Date: 2021-11-30 19:19
I am using simple reed holders and put them within a plastic (ziploc type) bag together with a small Boveda bag (72%) for controlled humidity. Here in Quebec, humidity inside varies between 20-25% (december to march) and 75-85% (july-august) without room humidifiers.
The holders I have come to prefer are Daddario Reedguards, which hold four reeds each and come in 6+ different colors. They are cheap and I never damaged a reed by handling them (unlike others or Vandoren's individual plastic holders). I have four of them and I find it easy with colors to organise reeds, as well as play them in rotation between practices (four is just about the number of reeds I use in a 1h30-2h session).
When playing in ensembles, I just get one or two holders out of the bag and put them in my pocket or on the stand. Here again, the ease of handling without damaging the reeds is a plus.
Your mileage may vary.
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Author: Tom H
Date: 2021-11-30 22:52
DougR-- You can get the ripple tips straight in a minute or two using a simple method. Wet the reed thoroughly. Put the tip perpendicularly on the flat of the mouthpiece facing (or any flat surface where you can have the back end of the reed sticking out). Hold the tip against the flat surface with your thumb. Use the index finger of your other hand to gently "tick" the back end of the reed-- like motioning "come here". Ripples gone.
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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Author: Gregory Williams
Date: 2021-12-01 08:30
I fit 20-26 reeds inside two Galax GCA 10 reed cases (the ones with two clasps). The Galax cases go into one S3 T3000 waterproof case along with two Boveda 67% packets. It seems to be the correct humidity for Minnesota Winters. I use a Dremel tool to make extra room in the plastic cases for the clasps of the Galax GCA 10 reed cases (without drilling all the way through). I believe Lomax uses the S3 T3000 case for their reed case design.
Greg Williams
Associate Principal Clarinet
Minnesota Orchestra
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Author: SecondTry
Date: 2021-12-02 06:51
Doug, I was surprised to hear of the short life of Boveda packs for you.
Mine last for months, but I store them and reeds in an air tight food container and use the simple Vandoren plastic reed holders the new reeds come in. The container's only open when I am taking out or putting back a reed.
I also keep a hygrometer in with the reeds as well care of Mike Lowenstern's website: https://www.earspasm.com/reed-care/hygrometer.
This lets me know when its time to change Boveda packs.
I think this allows my reeds to get to playing speed faster when I begin a practice session because they never completely dry. I cannot find warpage of any kind: not at the tip or when measuring side to side or front to back, across all brands.
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Author: DougR
Date: 2021-12-02 18:00
Well, thanks, everybody! Partly I was asking to find out if there's some new "holy grail" of reed keeper I hadn't heard of yet; turns out there isn't, but you guys have evolved some pretty ingenious methods of reed storage.
So my thanks to everybody who responded.
My dissatisfaction with the Boveda packs results from having bought a 5-pack, inserted them into the holders, and finding them bone-dry in a month or so AND finding that they will not rehydrate. (Rehydrate=putting them in a sealed plastic tub with a small reservoir of water; this has worked in the past and I've been cycling 'rehydrated' humidity packs, both Boveda and Daddario, in and out of that container for some time).
Maybe I'm asking for more than the Bovedas were designed to do. Meanwhile, I now have a number of alternatives here to try out; I have many Reed-guards I've accumulated over the years (including the aluminum ones), and the S3-T300 waterproof case is intriguing: indeed, thanks again for ALL the ideas!
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Author: kdk
Date: 2021-12-05 03:14
DougR wrote:
> My dissatisfaction with the Boveda packs results from having
> bought a 5-pack, inserted them into the holders, and finding
> them bone-dry in a month or so AND finding that they will not
> rehydrate.
> Maybe I'm asking for more than the Bovedas were designed to do.
Maybe you're asking for more than the reed holder is designed to do. To keep the Boveda pack from early failure the reed holder will need to be airtight. My experience with the Boveda packs matches SecondTry's, that they last for months. But when I use humidifiers I keep them with in the reed holder I'm using inside a Ziplock or similar bag sealed shut. Maybe enough air gets into and through the reed holder to exhaust the humidifier quickly?
Having reread your original post, I'm not really sure what reed holders you're using. And are you keeping them in plastic bags or containers at all?
Karl
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Author: DougR
Date: 2021-12-05 06:58
Hi Karl--
I've been using Daddario reed holders that include a humidipak, either Boveda or the Daddario-branded pak, that's supposed to fit into a recessed holder in the lid. And I think you're right, especially given that the lids of the reed holders do NOT seal airtight due to the lids warping. As you suggest, I see plastic bags in my future--or perhaps Greg Williams' suggestion of S3 T3000 airtight cases. (I could actually use a couple of airtight cases about the size of a cigar box, to hold all the various sax and clarinet reeds I use.)
The Daddario reed holders would be a great idea, IF more care in quality control were taken so that they would seal airtight. But, sadly, they don't.
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Author: LFabian
Date: 2021-12-12 07:07
I’ve been using rubber bands. I’ve also been covering them and putting a book on top (for a few minutes). Been using heavier wood cases now.
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Author: SecondTry
Date: 2021-12-12 07:59
DougR
How do you triple the price of a product?
Answer: take another vendor's cheaper product, slap a treble clef on the outside and call it a musician's accessory.
Daddario branded Boveda packs...why? Boveda moves more product and it's bound to be fresher.
Daddario reed holders...once upon a time Rico (Daddario) had "The Reed Vault: an airtight reed storage system that they discontinued that was this identical product from Lock N Lock rebranded.
https://www.musiciansfriend.com/woodwinds/rico-reed-vault--reed-storage-system
https://www.amazon.com/Lock-1-5-Cups-Removable-Trays/dp/B0028LT9DI
Do yourself a favor. Date and scotch tape 2 Boveda 72 packs to the lid of the above linked product or use a zip lock bag. Put your reeds in the Vandoren reed holders that come with reeds and keep the box closed at all times but when moving reeds.
My Boveda packs last year the better part of a year in the linked container.
Another air tight container vendor:
https://www.tinyurl.com/2p8nnf7e
Post Edited (2021-12-13 02:29)
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Author: DougR
Date: 2021-12-13 09:35
Hey SecondTry--thanks for the tip! I acquired one of the S3 waterproof cases that Greg Williams mentioned, but the System containers look good too & I'm happy to know about them.
If the newest Daddario reed cases were airtight instead of warped, none of this experimentation & verbal & intellectual horsepower would be necessary. (Some might argue it isn't necessary at all anyhow!)
But thanks again. It shouldn't be this difficult! But, as I said originally, "first-world problem"!
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Author: Micke Isotalo ★2017
Date: 2021-12-15 23:13
The Vandoren Hygro reed case for six reeds works really well for me. Easy to monitor with the color changing gadget, refilling is done easily with plain water and a refill isn't needed too often even in an extremely dry indoor climate (not for several weeks). No problems ever with mold on the reeds.
On the other side, the older and larger Vandoren "Hygrocase" for about 20 reeds with a built in digital hygrometer I don't recommend (needs refilling too often, and eventually I also got problems with mold).
For larger reed quantities and reed packages I use a cigar humidor box, where I just put an open water jar inside to get up to the desired level (and try to remember replacing the water about once every week).
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Author: DougR
Date: 2021-12-17 03:39
thanks, Micke! I just got the small Vandoren Hygro case, haven't tried it yet; appreciate your input on the bigger case. I'll look into the cigar humidor box idea too. Appreciate the tips from you!
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Author: Micke Isotalo ★2017
Date: 2021-12-17 18:18
Doug, when you moisture the sponge for the first time, it may be a bit fiddly when you put it back inside its container - so you don't get water drops on the color changing thing. I keep the container in a direction so that possible excess water falls away from it. Water on the color gadget will not destroy it, and also a discolorization of it will disappear with time - but still better to avoid watering it in the first place.
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Author: DougR
Date: 2021-12-18 04:54
OK, thanks again, good to know. I do know a guy who uses the Hygro without bothering to hydrate the sponge; I'll see how it goes. Cheers Micke!
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