Anyone tried the new reed humidifier?

[Dog Pants]

G'day Punters. Saw an ad in Jazz Times if I remember right, for a new Reed Humidity pouch thingy from Rico? Supposedly had three different "wetness" settings. Is this for real or a late April fools joke? Call me a cynical old Dog, but hasn't this idea been tried before? In the meantime, vodka will have to do. :wink:

[tinpalaceroach]

no but i love your enthusiasm mate. reading a few of your posts brought a smile to my rigid face. it's an aussie thing right? my man the bootman has the same tongue in cheek humor,and it kills me. thanks........

[Dog Pants]

Bootman is a mate, mentor and teacher to me. When I'm with him it's usually heart in mouth, rather than tongue in cheek. You should see that m*********** thrash an Alfa. Drives very well but that's what they said about Senna. Now if I can conn the people at Rico into developing a Reed case that will take out the trash, pay child support, and find a Martin tenor of the right vintage at a good price, then I'll cosider forking out the $ until then, they get the same response I give them everytime I open a box of reeds. Anyone have a humungous FART emoticon?

[Bootman]

Just wait, there is a new Alfalfa Coming........faster too. It is the only way I can get to everywhere close to being on time. As for reeds, the bane of any Sax player because just wehn youthink you've found a good box, the buggers act up on you. Try plasticovers, they seem to be playing reasonably well at the moment and they last a heck of a lot longer than standard cane reeds.

Dolphyo, you dig the dry humour of us Aussies, just wait to catch several of us in a room together slinging it around at eachother.....You need to give as good as you get to survive here.

[Frank D]

Back to the original question of humidity pouches or whatever. I use a plastic sandwich bag, costs less than a penny and does the job.

As far as driving and F1, what the heck happend to Schumacher in Monaco this weekend?

[Hurling Frootmig]

He locked it up in the tunnel and bounced off of both of the walls. I think it's his first DNF in at least a couple of years.

[saxofunk]

The bags are for real... They have been spotted at local stores. I don't know that they can grow mold any faster that the tried and true methods. :?

[sax_dude1]

i got 1 a few weeks ago and it works. i didnt think it was for real but so far it keeps my reeds wet w/out adding 2 much moisture. i got the 73% cuz i hate moldy reeds and when i was out in the desert last week my reeds were just like they were when i left ny...very cool!

[Vortex]

You can always use one of those cheap vandoren cases /w the sponge insert (soak it first).

[1saxman]

The Vandoren thing is a mold factory. Just use a Reedguard.

[Vortex]

I think Tom Alexander used some technique like this /w his reeds, but it was pretty sketchy - I dunno bout yunz, but I don't like the idear of having my sax sitting on a stand all the time with a ziploc full of water around the whole neck and mouthpiece setup (with reed still ligatured!). He liked how the reeds felt however, and I suppose was willing to put up with not being able to distinguish his molding reeds from plasticovers :dazed: . From rico's reputation I would expect their apparatus to be much better.

Mouth sores and ergot poisoning anyone? :a-run

[Vortex]

Well, I had to shell out and try one and they're for real. I bought the 84% humidity one and haven't had to moisten a reed yet for a couple weeks, and I play a lot. It can do its job holding up to 10 alto reeds, and the baggie is about the length from the tip of an alto sax bell to the bottom of its curve (and flexible). I put my reeds in reedgards to store in the bag. They play quite well and take a looong time to lose moistness. No mold issues so far.

My opinion - worth the $10 or so you spend for it. Longevity we have yet to determine.

[Riff]

I've seen these bags and have to admit I'm very skeptical. Just what is different about them from a zip-lock sandwich bag and how do they control humidity? Can those of you who have tried them comment?

[Vortex]

Riff: Read my post and www.ricoreeds.com

I was skeptical too but they WORK.

[altoist]

I've been soaking the reeds in vodka and leaving them in a reed holder in a plastic freezer bag. They stay wet, and even after a month wet, no mold. What's the advantage of the humidifiers?

[saxmanglen]

Here's what is said about the "magic" packet you put in the bag:



REVERSE OSMOSIS MEMBRANE
Humidipak’s built-in reverse-osmosis membrane provides the same type of filtration that’s used in water purification systems by inhibiting the passage of ions (such as salt) or other impurities, ensuring that only pure, clean water-vapor passes through the membrane, whether in or out of the Humidipak packet. The reverse osmosis membrane that holds the saturated salt solution on the inside is extruded to the underside of the visible printed paper that forms each packet.

Purified Water-Vapor is Guaranteed. Humidipak is the only system on the market that provides water vapor that’s guaranteed to be pure – without any chance of developing bacteria, mold, mildew and any other impurities that cause the potential odors or tastes that are inherent with “one-way” devices (i.e. humidifiers). Your product is exposed only to fresh, clean, purified water-vapor.