 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: TheButler
Date: 2014-05-15 17:03
Hi,
I have recently been using the Signature Bb reeds and I really enjoy them.
I have also tried a Legere Classic Eb reed (there are no Signature Eb reeds) but that sadly didn't compare to the Signature Bb reeds - for me.
I'm now considering trying to use a slightly cut-off Signature Bb reed on the Eb. Has anybody tried this? Any suggestions on what to cut it with?
Btw: I have considered the Backun Eb barrel (which allows Bb reeds without cutting them) but the price + shipping is a bit high for me at the moment.
Thanks,
The Butler
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2014-05-15 17:43
The manufacturer highly discourages this. I hear (though I am not willing to experiment myself on them....yet) that the material actual frays so it may not even yield a clean cut.
Please try the Quebec Cut which have a more pronounced heart. Even though the material of the Signature does "sound" the most natural, the Quebecs do more things right. I am currently unsettled on strength though, with 1/4 lower than an equivalent Vandoren being the best fit for the most part, if you tend to "push" cane, I'd go with a one-for-one strength comparison on the Quebecs.
.....................Paul Aviles
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Author: ThatPerfectReed
Date: 2014-05-15 17:58
Attachment: jessicaphillips.jpg (275k)
Koen:
This of course may not be what you want to hear, but, while I haven't tried this, I do see it ending badly.
Let's presume that the primary problem is that the Bb reed is too wide. Let's further presume that you will address this by removing equal longitudinal sections of the Bb reed from each side. What this will leave you with is a balanced reed-like object that may be too thick to play, unless size "7" reeds (on a scale of 1 - 5) are the norm for you.
Accordingly, your synthetic reed will need its sides taken down with a contour that is equal on both sides, all while such modifications to the synthetic reed, while done by some people, are ill advised. Unless (or even if) you're using a reed thickness machine to do this, consider that distinct possibility that your measurements will be off.
What I'd like to know is what is about cane that leaves you disenfranchised enough with this material that you'd be willing to do this? And have you tried the ATG system of cane reed balancing?
It's my belief that this system will not only address many issues people have with cane, but paradoxically enough, in its descriptions of the single reed as a spring form, explain why your proposed approach may be ill advised.
That said, why not at least try your idea on cheaper cane and see if you have any luck with a proof-of-concept result first.
As far as the aforementioned barrel is concerned, I wonder if that is what Jessica Phillips is doing in the attached.
Post Edited (2014-05-15 18:00)
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Author: tiagocunha
Date: 2014-05-15 19:02
Jessica Phillips was the first person I heard using the Eflat barrel cut out to Bflat reeds. I'm going to get a very cheap eflat clarinet soon and I am wondering if it's a good buy.
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2014-05-15 19:45
I trimmed about a quarter inch from a Legere signature using a fine-tooth coping saw. It cut cleanly, fits the Eb mouthpiece perfectly and plays well. Go ahead and do it, its very simple.
Tony F.
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Author: ThatPerfectReed
Date: 2014-05-16 01:42
Was the quarter inch in total..(i.e. 1/8" on each side) with respect to longitudinal symmetry, or was it 1/4" on one particular side, if so, what side.
Did the reed lend itself well to straight cutting (i.e. were their striations in the material that made it hard to cut anything but straight logitudinally)?
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2014-05-16 02:03
I think you are getting his wrong.
When using Bb reed on Eb you cut off the length from the butt end not the sides.
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Author: ThatPerfectReed
Date: 2014-05-16 03:58
Perhaps I did get the poster's cut wrong in the it was a horizontal cut he refers to. But aren't e flat clarinet reeds not also narrower in width, in addition to height?
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2014-05-16 04:05
The material is removed from the butt end of the reed. It is not necessary to remove material from the edges of the reed as the width of the Eb reed is the same as the Bb reed. This is standard practice among many Eb players.
Tony F.
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Author: donald
Date: 2014-05-16 08:07
You can also try to get someone to take the ring off the top end of the barrel, my R13 E flat had the top ring missing when i bought it- for this very reason. Combined with a mouthpiece that was "thick" enough, you could use a B flat reed without chopping the bottom off (same as the backun barrel)
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