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Re: Effect of Gouge thickness

Author: jhoyla
Date: 2008-04-11 06:24

Thank you all for your valuable information.

Elizabeth, I do shape my own reeds, although recently I have been purchasing some shaped cane for comparison. I am reaching the conclusion that my shapers are all too broad at the tip, since narrower shapes improve the overall intonation of my instrument and add quality to the higher notes.
I have heard of altitude making a difference, but nobody ever mentions _what_ difference! Am I right in assuming you need a heavier, more covered reed for the thinner air?

Cooper, I had not considered the curvature of the blade as a factor - of course you must be correct, since the distribution of thickness across the cane must affect the performance of the reed enormously. I suppose I just assumed an even gradation from thick to thin. Have you tried to experiment with different blade curvatures?

What is it that adds the "cover" to a reed? Is it the mass of the heart relative to the thinness of the tip?

For "vibrancy", you all seem to gouge as thinly as possible - this concurs with my thoughts about the cane closer to the surface having greater tensile strength than the softer cane deeper down.

As pointed out in the article, the edges of a reed are twisted almost 90 degrees to the corresponding place on the staple. This twist gives the whole reed its strength, "springs" the sides of the reed together and helps the reed maintain its opening. I am convinced that it is possible to fine-tune the reed opening by changing the shape of the tube with differently-shaped mandrels - but that would be quite an investment.

J.

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