The Oboe BBoard

The Oboe BBoard The C4 standard

New Topic | Go to Top | Go to Topic | Search | Help/Rules | Smileys/Notes | Log In

Re: Gouger And Cane new variable

Author: johnt
Date: 2009-08-29 15:39

Jonathan Dlouhy used to ask people to send him their rejected cane; he would make reeds out of the lot & make his living from it. I think he even agreed to pay postage. His argument was that you can straighten cane that on first view seems a bit off. Because of what Jonathan said, I do that as a matter of routine. Kind of goes with John Mack's dictum: "Never take "No" from an inanimate object." The stuff I reject is that cane which when put on its edge shows me a curve. Bark side down if it curves up on each end it gets used. Linda Strommen agrees. She says some of her best reeds are the "smiles" If it bows into a frown, if you will, I bend it straight. If it's twisted I bend it straight. Now having said this, the stuff I straighten gets gouged right away to take advantage of the straightening. I split one tube & straighten/guillotine/gouge each piece before going to the next tube. I should also mention that I split/guillotine/gouge dry. This flies in the face of convention, but it works for me. The first soaking I give the cane is when I get ready to shape/fold/tie.

I'll never forget what Joe Robinson said during the double reed day at the University of Vancouver several years ago as the audience & he were actively debating the relative merits of various gouging machines, including the Innoledy along with the issue of straightening cane: He said at the close of that session, "Well, in the end, it's all a crap shoot, anyway." Brought down the house.

Best,

john

Reply To Message | Avail. Forums | Flat View

Newer Topic | Older Topic

Topics