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Re: When is it time to discard a reed?

Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2014-12-11 21:38

WhitePlainsDave wrote:

> ...but not so easy for reeds that
> seem to show, or have already shown potential, but may be
> reaching the end of their useful life.
>

I'm not sure if you're talking about reeds you've begun to break in but can't quite get comfortable with, or reeds you've been playing on successfully for some time that are gradually becoming unresponsive.

The excerpt seems to suggest you aren't talking about seasoned reeds that have served well and become old because of your use of the word "potential." If potential is all the reed has going for it, I'd chuck it after a couple of attempts (on different days) at balancing/thinning it if it's still balky or dull sounding. Once you've done enough work on a reed in trying to bring out its potential, you've probably taken enough wood out in the wrong places that, if you finally find the right spot, the reed will simply collapse. There is a cost-benefit ratio that comes into play when you invest time in a questionable new reed. How much is the time you're putting in worth in comparison to the actual cost of the reed? How much time do you mind wasting if the reed never comes around?

If the question also concerns older reeds that may have outlived their usefulness, it depends on the result when you try to re-adjust it. If small balancing adjustments don't revive an old reed, then it's probably done and may as well be discarded. What I have never found beneficial is to keep accommodating an aging reed by compensating somewhere in my playing technique to "make" it work. Eventually, I've contorted things too much to be in control. Better to sacrifice a reed than my overall comfort and control.

Karl

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