Reed Adjusting

[AustinBrister]

Just wondering what everyone does to adjust their reeds. I have been at this a while and have a few tricks but I want to see what everyone else has first.

[-88-]

Austin:
I have interest in your question and been on the look out for people with experience on the Reed Wizard device. No one here on SOTW has spoken, so am concluding that either most people do not know of it, or hold in in no regard. I have never used it, have never found anyone, that's *anyone* who has. If it does what the maker says it does, it should solve 99% of the reed problems out there. But at the price of a good piece, people seem to prefer a new box of reeds. Maybe the better thing is to go Fibracell. Dunno. It was good enough for David Liebman. Synthetics that is.

The real reason may be that good modern reeds are consistently reliable. One goes on journeys questing over pieces, ligatures, and reeds and making one's own discoveries.

As to reeds, I have found for myself, and only myself, that the reed most resonant with me are Brancher Classic Opera, and in next best place are Alexander Classiques. Maybe I am just lucky that I can say out of countless boxes I have not encountered a single bad reed from either of these makers. But such a personal thing!! I am sure I've tossed some that warped after awhile.

For example, countless players swear....that's swear, by Vandoren ZZ or Rico, or the list is long. For me Vandoren just don't play, Rico is 'okay sorta' and well you get the idea.

So maybe reed adjustment is about as attractive as changing your own engine oil. Personally I don't adjust because my reeds are so good. Maybe with some of your tricks, as you put it, they'd be better. So what tricks are worth trying in your opinion.

[-88-]

I should have mentioned that Saxophrenic posted interesting meta comments over on the Tech discussion forum where I asked about the Reed Wizard:

http://www.saxontheweb.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=28187

his entry is the 4th one down. I think he's right about Teal and also about Liebman - just a personal agreement I have with Saxophrenic's observations, doesn't mean he's right for everyone.

Hope this helps you.

Still want to hear about your reed fixes. Do tell.