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Re: Short Tip vs Long Tip Reed

Author: HautboisJJ
Date: 2009-10-18 19:01

It seems to me that this depends highly on the gouge thickness and quality of cane...i make short scrape reeds, so this might be totally different from what you are accustomed to...without discussing other intricacies such as shape and staple, and assuming that all other variables are in good condition:

A good idea for hard cane (density 8-10?) is to gouge as thin as possible say 53-55, and then make a long tip (2.5mm!) with a defined V and gradually becoming thinner towards the edges of the tip. More cane can be left at the back and this creates a stable but free blowing reed.

As for softer cane (density 14 onwards) it is good to gouge thicker, say 55-60 depending on the density and make a shorter tip, and depending on the initial response of the reed, a defined V or not so defined round tip. This usually creates a warm sounding reed that is flexible and free blowing

The above of course requires absolutely good cane, and good cane is not necessarily hard or soft. From what i can see with the naked eye, one can observe from a good reed that in the thin tip there are barely any visible lines other than a few that are separated far off from each other. This shows an intense grain in the cane which usually results in good vibrations. I am still quite clueless on how to select good cane from tube cane. Of course there are the general rules that most people know about, but 2 pieces that look identical can still produce such tremendously different results!

Howard

p.s. indeed with a shorter tip it is often required for the back/heart to have less cane!

Post Edited (2009-10-18 19:03)

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