The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: joesmosax1
Date: 2007-01-27 17:16
does anyone have any experience with the newest reedual?
I've heard it has some improvments. What are the improvments, and are they worth it, or should i buy used?
Also where do i get one new and how much do they run?
Thanks,
Joe
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Author: Brad Behn
Date: 2007-01-27 17:44
I have used a Reedual since 1986 and I must say that it is by far the best reed adjusting tool and reed making tool I have ever used. There is a better version (made with more precision) from Germany but it is essentially the same idea and much more costly.
My Reedual cost me $370 in ’86 and it has paid for itself in reed savings countless times. I got it from George Crossman of Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Florida. I recommend it to everyone I know. Reeduals do have occasional problems however in that they often do not come regulated to cut the reed in a perfectly balanced way. In 1987 I had a machinist friend go over mine and make sure it was true. Although my Reedual made reeds that were good, after I had my ‘dual improved, the reeds made were and remain today the most balanced reeds I have ever seen.
The Reedual is a great tool to quickly and accurately make reeds from scratch, but it also shines as a tool to adjust commercial reeds. I use it on just about every reed I play. It takes just seconds to put a commercially available reed on the machine and buzz it into a shape that is balanced and vibrates in a better way. Using the Reedual over the past twenty plus years has given me an education about reeds, that has helped my playing, teaching and mouthpiece making skills in ways I can’t even imagine.
Brad Behn
http://www.clarinetmouthpiece.com
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Author: joesmosax1
Date: 2007-01-27 20:35
Thanks for the info.
Brad,
any more information on the German Model? Does it make a better copy of the model reed. As I understand, the reedual requires you to 'doctor' your model reed to make the copy work well. I would like to eliminate this variable if at all possible.
Anyone out there who can compare old and new reedual models? Is there any advantage to buying one new?
Thanks,
Joe
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Author: A Brady
Date: 2011-03-12 04:06
Here is an excellent video interview with George Crossman and his Rabco Reedual; some interesting info on early history (including use by Benny Goodman) and a demonstration.
I have not used this in a few years, but have just ordered one for myself.
http://vimeo.com/7113687
AB
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Author: Simon Aldrich
Date: 2011-03-12 15:29
>any more information on the German Model?
I presume the German model is the Uhl Reed Profiling Machine 'RPM68' http://www.uhl-technik.de/en/index.html
I have one and it works well. It copies either a cane model or a pre-shaped model called a guide. These guides come in popular shapes (V12, Rue Lepic, German).
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Author: kdk
Date: 2011-03-12 15:45
Do have experience with the pre-shaped models? Does the V12 model produce the same reed you get from a box of V12s you'd buy? If so, I'd assume they need the same adjustments the commercial reeds need out of the box. I'm trying hard to imagine why this would be an advantage over using one of your own favorite (already adjusted) reeds as a model. Have you found a use for the pre-shaped templates?
Karl
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Author: Dileep Gangolli
Date: 2011-03-12 17:41
I finally donated my REEDUAL to VanderCook College as I do not think that ultimately this device is accurate when doing the finish work to make a playable reed.
If one wants to use it to create a blank and then hand finish the product that might be good but I found the REEDUAL to be too inconsistent with regards to the ears of the reed.
And I tried using it for over 30 years! Just do not have the time that is required to come up with something that is consistently preferable to a good commercial reed. If my time is worth $75/hour then if I get a couple of reeds from three boxes of a commercial reed and can use them for a month, then I am still ahead of a REEDUAL reed.
The German tool that Brad may be referring to may be the UHL TECHNIC 68.
That is a very different animal as it is a cutting device and not a grinding device like the DUAL. The UHL device is most like the DeLutis machine that is readily available in the US.
The fellow Joseph LeBlanc, who may be following this thread, may be able to comment on this device as he has a very sound method of using the UHL that he has posted on his web site.
I personally think that a cutting tool (to make the vamp) will ultimately have much more accuracy than a grinding tool that relies on sandpaper when the final finishing touches are made.
If one has infinite time, then I suppose either device will be functional and that the ability to control the product quality (cane) will make for a superior product.
But then again, a monkey with infinite time, typing at a keyboard will eventually produce the complete works of Shakespeare at random.
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