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Re: Effect of Gouge thickness

Author: hautbois
Date: 2008-04-10 15:10

Your questions get to the heart of a lot of issues in reedmaking. I assume that even though you do not gouge your own cane, that you shape it. It might be useful for you to measure the thickness of the cane supplies you receive, to answer some of your own questions within the style of reed you make. "Thinner sides" is commonly intended to refer to the gouged thinness of the sides near the edge of the unshaped cane, as contrasted with the center.
Your interesting observation about the tip and the center having more pliability in a tip with thinner sides may not be correct. Although the deeper fibers will still be present in the center, there will still also be the firmer fibers nearer the bark, as usually not as much is hand-scraped off of the center of the tip. Hence the center of the tip acts as an ameliorator and stabilizer for the vibrations from the sides of the tip.
Generally, I gouge as thin as possible to achieve a vibrant sound while still being able to achieve a covered sound when desired. Generally the cane nearer the bark, as opposed to the cane deeper in the piece, seems to produce greater vibrancy; conversely, the cane deeper in the piece permits of a more covered sound. (Some cane is only more vibrant and some is only more covered, regardless of how thin or thick the gauge!) I change my gouger's (Graff) thickness to accomodate each batch of cane after working a few pieces at the pre-existing setting. As I am at high altitude,
my particular settings would not be useful for players closer to sea level.
Thanks for the link to info on cane structure.
Elizabeth

Post Edited (2008-04-10 15:21)

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