Vandoren Reed case

[totst]

I was just given one. With the charcoal thing in the middle. Anyone use one or has used one? Any opinions? Thanks.

Tots

[SAXISMYAXE]

I have one- I like it and use it. It's a reed case and functions as such. :?

[Merlin]

I stopped using the ones I had - too many problems with black mold.

I've got different cases now that are ventilated. The Vandoren cases are pretty much airtight.

[Vortex]

I do the vodka-soaking thing to all my reeds, so that's enough alcohol to kill anything that might be on them, and I wipe them off after I play. I haven't had any problems with the Vandoren case using this method, although I've repeatedly gotten mold without such a technique. Typically I use the LaVoz reedgard.

[steve]

Try not closing the case all the way....that lets air in and the mold stops.

[Vortex]

Doesn't that also defeat the humidity-controlling concept of the case? Just a thought.

[steve]

Yes...but it keeps the reeds flat, free from mold, protects them and the little dots help with reed rotation. Even though I play Fibracells, I still use the VanDoren case for those reasons.

[Vortex]

I could be wrong about this because I've never really smashed open one of these things and looked at it carefully, but I always thought that the charcoal tube absorbed all the moisture in the reeds which would keep them from warping.

[MB-913]

Try to get a Selmer reed case (with glass inside) or similar product.

It really can make the reed flat (just one night or max. two days storage time). You can save a lot of money to extent your reed life.

[altonino]

I find that the Vandoren reed cases do a better job of keeping my reeds nice and flat for a modest price. I think this is due largely to the charcoal tube and airtightedness. However, I always massage my reeds between my thumb and index finger, dry to the touch, before closing them into the case to avoid problems with mold. The dessicant inside the tube is not intended to function as a towel to sop up a dripping wet reed. It's only meant to help keep low moisture levels low.

Incidentally, the little tube is filled with a combination of Silica gel dessicant and charcoal to absorb both odor and residual (!) moisture. No need to smash the case to look inside, either. It can be disassembled for cleaning by giving a firm tug on the bottom cover while holding the insert. The tube can then be removed and dried out under the heat of a desk lamp, and can even be replaced with replacement tubes.

[Vortex]

So does the Vandoren case keep the reeds flat by means of securing them to a flat surface or by messing with the moisture levels?

[Toni Linder]

For me, the Vandoren reed cases work without any problem. Maybe it's different if you live in a very humid place. And don't forget that you'll probably have to dry the desiccant/charcoal tube from time to time: put it under a normal light for half an hour or so. That's what they say on the instruction leaflet, if I remember well.

[altonino]

Vortex,

I think the lower drying rate in the closed case may have a lot to do with the reed flatness. I once used an open Vito reed guard which has the same type of channelled reed bed as the Vandoren, but my reeds always came out warped.

[TJS]

I used to use the Vandoren reed cases until one night I showed up to a gig and all 4 of the reeds were mouldy. I had to play the whole night on a terrible synthetic reed I use as a back up. I threw that case away as soon as I got home. Now I use that system by Rico and it works pretty well. No mold.

[Tom Goodrick]

I have used those cases for some time with no problem. I removed the desiccant. I never had a problem with mold and several of my reeds have resided in them for many months. I noticed that a warning comes with the box telling you to dry them out now and then. I use a blow drier for that.

I have been using mineral oil on the reeds for a few months now. That may also help keep the mold away. It is the handiest method of preparing reeds. But even with my watered reeds I had only one moldy reed in 2.5 years of use.