Author: oboedrew
Date: 2009-05-01 18:18
Wow, this thread started way back in '07 and is still going. Impressive. I guess I'm getting to it a few years late, but better late than never. At the risk of giving offense, I suggest that any oboist whose reeds regularly leak is doing something seriously wrong in the binding process. I have leaks in no more than one out of a hundred reeds. A reed should leak only in rare cases of badly warped cane. Otherwise, there are a handful of possible causes:
1. The shape, staple, and tie length (the total length of the reed after binding but before any scraping) may not be compatible. You have to find a combination of shape, staple, and tie length that will allow the reed to close equally tight on both sides. For me, this combination is (currently) a Rigotti -1 shape, Pisoni 47mm brass "Artist" staples, and a tie length of 72mm. But, of course, that's just one of many combinations that work.
2. One of the sides of the reed does not close tightly. This can happen when a reed is tied crookedly, the cane tilting to the right or left relative to the staple.
3. The sides of the reed don't close equally tight. The cane should be centered on the staple so both sides close simultaneously, and so they close about one wrap of thread before the end of the staple. It's not enough that both sides close. If one side closes more tightly than the other, the looser side may reopen later.
In my experience, those are the most common causes of leaks. So, if your reeds leak, tie better blanks. Don't waste time looking for ways to fix the leaks. It's more efficient to correct the mistakes that are causing those leaks in the first place.
Cheers,
Drew
www.oboedrew.com
Post Edited (2009-05-01 19:52)
|
|
The Oboe BBoard
.jpg){kind=small}
