View Full Version : What the?!?... Fibracells playing flat??
Just wondering if anyone else has had this problem. About two months ago I was at a gig and slapped on a Fibracell (I do this when I am short on time) and started playing and the thing was INCREDIBLY flat. I couldn't tune up enough to fix it! So I gave up and put on a Java.. and the problem went away. I figured it was a sign that my reed was dying, but wasn't sure as this was the first Fibracell I'd ever played on, and it had played OK up to this point. So I went home and pulled out my other Fibracell out of my case, slapped it on, and lo and behold, it also was too flat to adjust. My question is WHAT HAPPENED? The only thing I can figure is that I left my horn in the car trunk for a couple of days in the Arizona summer heat and they got cooked, but I don't know if this would cause 'flatness' or not. Unlike anything I've ever seen... I didn't know a reed could cause a difference in tuning. Am I just nuts? Or has anyone else seen this? :?
Dave Dolson
11-28-2005, 05:34 PM
Saxn: I have not heard of this problem. I have Fibracells for all of my horns but use one only on clarinet where the mouthpiece-to-reed match is a perfect one.
On my saxophones (alto and sop), the Fibracells just play too darned hard for me. With their unique playing characteristics, I can see where they may play flat (the player not having enough embouchure to bring them to pitch), but that hasn't been my experience. DAVE
I also found Fibracells play harder -- and play/respond differently from cane. They felt weird and I didn't like the sound (very thin, bright, buzzy to me), so I never got used to them.
I suppose it's possible that first one is just worn out, and the 2nd one out-of-the-case isn't broken in? Still, I think if you don't play them all the time it might be harder to make them work the way you want, on the spur-of-the-moment?
I notice this when a fibracell is getting worn out, especially on clarinet (could be because the parts are more exposed, also because my clarinet has a couple of notes I really need to favor higher in pitch.) Fibracells seem to gradually get softer but still play better than a cane reed in its death throes. When they're totally dead, they play for about 1 minute, then totally close off...kinda similar to a dead cane reed.
As the previous poster mentioned, they do respond differently to embouchure pressure. You probably will need to push the mpc in further to play them in tune. I recommend working this out at home, either with a tuner or a playing along with recordings.
When you tried the new fibracell which was too flat to adjust, did you have the mpc at your usual spot, or push in all the way?
I
When you tried the new fibracell which was too flat to adjust, did you have the mpc at your usual spot, or push in all the way?
Well, I started with it in it's normal position on the neck, and then wound up with it all the way in -- I bottomed it out! Still a tad too flat. In it's normal spot it was absolutely horrid.
I've played the Fibracell off and on for a while, and I play a harder reed in general, never had this problem until this particular occasion, so I think (hope?) it's not an embouchure situation.
After reading your posts, I've come to the conclusion that it must have been dying on me... MM, am I to assume that these reeds just belly up really quickly when they go?
Thanks for all the responses... maybe I am just insane as I originally suspected.:yikes!: :toothy10: :shaking2: :geek: :dazed:
Saxhound
11-28-2005, 11:29 PM
I have noticed that flatness (mainly in the lower register) is a sign of an approaching demise, although the only sudden death I had was when they had the delamination problem a couple years ago. To their credit, Miri made things right by replacing all of my reeds from that particular batch. I like to keep 4 reeds in active rotation for each horn. When one starts to go, I know it's probably time to replace them all.
Charlie A. had a good article on his web site (can't seem to find it now) about using Fibracells. The gist of it was that you had to play with reed and ligature placement a little more to find the "sweet spot". I also recall him suggesting to take a little more of the mouthpiece into your mouth, which really worked for me.
I am hooked on Fibracells for everything except clarinet. I can't seem to find a strength that will allow a good tone in the lower register without sounding pinched or closing up when playing in the altissimo range.
I have noticed that flatness (mainly in the lower register) is a sign of an approaching demise, although the only sudden death I had was when they had the delamination problem a couple years ago.
Ah HAH! Now we're getting somewhere. I guess I neglected to mention that there also was a 'bubble' that had appeared on the flat side not long before this epsode. I'm guessing that this is the delamination to which you referred. Does this mean that I got a couple of old reeds? And if this is the case then The problem is solved with the newer reeds?
Greg
wersax
11-29-2005, 04:24 AM
Yeah, try some new ones; sounds like a defective reed to me. I'm not having any intonation problems with them at all. The newest Fibracell incarnation is the best so far, IMHO.........
'Preciate it guys... going to order some new ones today. I think I may have gotten some older stock because both of them have the same issue...
Greg
When was this problem again? I just got a couple of mediums from 1stopclarinet. It's a drag to shell out $14 or so for bad reeds.
I've had some others that i bought about a year ago that went bad on the 2nd or 3rd playing.
Saxhound
11-29-2005, 09:02 PM
The original problem was about 2 years ago. The affected reeds had a colored circular sticker on the back of the case, but I can't remember what color was the bad batch - for some reason yellow sticks in my mind. Perhaps someone with younger brain cells can confirm that.
BTW, if you are paying $14, you need to check out Charlie A.'s http://www.gigdust.com. Much better pricing and great service. Charlie passed away earlier this year, but his wife Linda is keeping things running smoothly. A little disruption earlier this fall due to the hurricanes, but things are back to normal.
The original problem was about 2 years ago. The affected reeds had a colored circular sticker on the back of the case, but I can't remember what color was the bad batch - for some reason yellow sticks in my mind. Perhaps someone with younger brain cells can confirm that.
BTW, if you are paying $14, you need to check out Charlie A.'s http://www.gigdust.com. Much better pricing and great service. Charlie passed away earlier this year, but his wife Linda is keeping things running smoothly. A little disruption earlier this fall due to the hurricanes, but things are back to normal.
That was $14 for two Mediums. BTW they do have colored dot stickers, kinda yellowish, one is marked 93 and the other 96. I ordered from 1stopclarinet because I wanted to stick with the Mediums which worked for me, unlike the 2 1/2 and 3's I tried.
Saxhound
11-30-2005, 01:44 AM
That's a great price then. I may have to check them out. I haven't seen the color dot stickers in quite a while, so I suspect you got some old stock. You may want to write / call Miri directly and see if they are still exchanging them. I used to order mediums, but found much more consistancy when I switched to a 3. Different strokes.
Saxhound, thanks. I've just emailed miri so we'll see. Then the question will be what strength to get, 2 1/2 or 3. I like V16 2 1/2's but they are a tad too soft. Rico Select 3S are ok in strength too but not very vibrant.
My email bounced back, can't find the server. Anyone have a newer one?
Saxhound
11-30-2005, 06:36 PM
Here's the home page. Is that the one you tried? Maybe try the Joyce Shaffer one. I think I ended up calling them.
http://www.fibracell.com/
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