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Re: Help! Reed Slump

Author: mjfoboe
Date: 2009-10-02 15:12

Well it looks like the 3 month reed slump is over! 2 x 2 success!

I think three changes contributed to success: firstly, I have used different cane and a different gouge; secondly, I have modified my scrape to accommodate the original troublesome gouge; thirdly, the weather has changed (the relative humidity is 20% lower now in the reed room).

The best results come from the different cane/gouge - the result is two beautiful free blowing reeds with a sweet tone and stable pitch! I made them with little trouble and less effort.

My experimentation with the original gouge may have improved too; the reeds are promising and are still in process. I have changed the scrape in the following way: more wood in the central part of the tip/blend, a thicker - shorter - more defined heart with longer windows - instead of a longer thinner heart and smaller windows. I will know definitely in a day or two whether I have definitely solved the puzzle of the new gouge. I am proceeding very slowly - making minor adjustments daily. I just want some back up reeds until I receive some new gouged cane and the gouger setup is up to my specifications.

And I believe the lower relative humidity is helping too.

I sent the gouger to be serviced and before I settle on a "good enough" gouge - I will have some cane sent back to me to work.

From this experience it seems the gouge is the major factor in my "reed slump". The old gouge is superior! The curve with a steeper slope and thinner sides.

[toast]

Mark

PS: Even with scrape modifications - the old gouge curve does not work! Too much effort and time for mediorce-poor - terrible ouitcomes.

Post Edited (2009-10-02 20:26)

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Help! Reed Slump new

mjfoboe

2009-09-23 03:43