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RE: Eb contrabass reeds

Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2001-09-29 16:11

Francesca -

I use Vandoren bass sax reeds on my Eb contra. I keep them in the box they came in, in the plastic holders. Vandoren BBb bass reeds, I think, don't come in the holders, but they pack OK in the box. I also use bubble wrap to keep things from rattling around in the case.

The "lasagna" look on the reed tip doesn't mean you have bad storage. It just means you haven't soaked the reed long enough. For a contra reed, you need immersion for at least 5 minutes. It will then flatten out just fine.

Contra reeds all warp with a ridge down the middle of the bottom. I think the bark on the top forces all swelling downward. You need to put the reed on 400 or 600 grit sandpaper over plate glass and take sand the area under the bark until it's shiny all over. This will work miracles.

Best regards.

Ken Shaw

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