Making reeds from scratch

[mmichel]

Hello all,

I'd like to try making my reeds from scratch. The reason? Well, I moved to Austin, TX recently and I see Arundo donax everywhere, it's an invasive species here and grows quite tall, so I'd certainly have no shortage of raw material.

Though I've been modifying my reeds for a long time, I've never started directly from reed blanks (much less from raw dry cane). So my questions are:

1. What tools (minimally) do I need?
2. Can anyone recommend a good primer or guide for making single reeds?

Thanks,
Melchi

[Pgraves]

Might be interesting.
Not to be a killjoy, but consider getting your head examined too.
Also learn the tune "Time on my hands" in all keys.
Talk to some oboe players.
Want to end up like that?
My apologies for a less than encouraging post.
Personally I'd rather sand off my own skin.

[Yamahaaltoplayer]

Search function...:)
http://forum.saxontheweb.net/showthread.php?p=823468&highlight=making+reeds+blanks#post823468
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwgwVs41uHQ

[Lovano1239]

Take a look at "The Saxophone Reed" by Ray Reed. There may not be that much in there on making reeds from scratch but there's plenty of other reed info you'll want to check out before making them.

[Rick]

Search function...:)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwgwVs41uHQ

I'm sure glad Vandoren makes my reeds! I would spend more time making reeds than playing them via this method!

[DavyRay]

Might be interesting.
Not to be a killjoy, but consider getting your head examined too.
Also learn the tune "Time on my hands" in all keys.
Talk to some oboe players.
Want to end up like that?
My apologies for a less than encouraging post.
Personally I'd rather sand off my own skin.

I'm glad I did not have a mouthful of Coke when I read this, or my monitor would have been brown and fizzy.
:)

[DavyRay]

Well, do your homework first. Google and Wikipedia will help. You will need some sharp tools, and something to sharpen them again. Arundo Donax is pretty much like bamboo, only tougher and impregnated with fiberglass and sand. That's a start.

[jbtsax]

If you are really serious about trying this. Handbook For Making and Adjusting Single Reeds (http://www.vcisinc.com/reeds.htm) by Kalmen Opperman is a good book. I made a few reeds from cane blanks back in the 60's after taking a reed making class. You are in for a real adventure. Good luck. Let us know how it works out for you. :)






John

[mmichel]

Alright, I get the point. I just wanted to give it a shot, but it seems that the start-up costs are prohibitive.

Thanks anyway,

Melchi

[hakukani]

Might be interesting.
Not to be a killjoy, but consider getting your head examined too.
Also learn the tune "Time on my hands" in all keys.
Talk to some oboe players.
Want to end up like that?
My apologies for a less than encouraging post.
Personally I'd rather sand off my own skin.

That's precisely why I gave up oboe!

[DavyRay]

I don't want to discourage you, just to say that it is a challenging hobby. Hey, it won't take you away from practicing any time soon. The best reeds are made from cane which is aged for years.

[Zannad]

That's quite interesting...
I'm actually thinking of having a go in woriking of some Polycarbonate to do my own syntetic reed...in my opinion a much easier material to work than cane.

[DavyRay]

That's quite interesting...
I'm actually thinking of having a go in woriking of some Polycarbonate to do my own syntetic reed...in my opinion a much easier material to work than cane.

Bad Idea! See this:
http://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/200311/lol5.asp

Fiberglass might work. It is available in extruded shapes like rods and tubes. Another possibility is delrin. It machines well, and is FDA approved for use in direct contact with food.

[Steve P]

Rick,
Glad you finally saw the light and ditched the Hemkes... haha

[Zannad]

Bad Idea! See this:
http://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/200311/lol5.asp

Fiberglass might work. It is available in extruded shapes like rods and tubes. Another possibility is delrin. It machines well, and is FDA approved for use in direct contact with food.

Gosh....thanks for your advice.
Yet, I bought a Bari reed recently...not sure what is made from, but it looks like Polycarbonate or maybe Plexiglass...are they breaching safety standards?

[Jazz House]

try cane, chisel, super fine sandpaper and a square to check it they are flat.

Also have earmuffs and the bin close by.