ATG reed system

[kerry]

Please only post a response if you have used the ATG system.

How did it work for you, how many reeds out of 5 usually need fixed?

[Rackety Sax]

Kerry, you may want to search the archives, this has been discussed at some length in a couple of previous threads.

[kerry]

Id like to hear from new users. If you look closely at all the archives, they are always the same people answering. Id like to hear from others, to see if there are more then the 4 people who are actually thrilled about this product.

[Tobias]

Ok, I'm quite new but what the ATG reed system?

[kerry]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MBpL-h2dfk

[saxmanglen]

Kerry,

I know I pointed you in this direction from your other thread. I have not bought his system yet but I did apply a few of the things he appeared to be doing to a Vandoreen ZZ I wasn't happy with. I used some steel wool and a flat surface and it DID make a difference. I'm seriously considering the $70 investment.

[Canadiain]

I am one of the "same old bunch" that usually talk about this, but it works great for me.

I use Rico Royals. Generally in a box of ten there are maybe 5 that are good to start with, three that are OK, and two planks.

The good 5 can usually be made a little better, the OK three can usually be bought up to the level of the good 5 and of the two planks one can be made OK. So you go from 5 reeds you would use in concert out of 10, to maybe 9 out of ten, and one that might be OK too.

I actually picked my kit up in the marketplace here for $30 or so...maybe put up a wanted Ad here and see if anyone who bought it is prepared to part with it now...


If you think about how much we spend on bespoke reeds and new mouthpieces, even ligatures, $70 is a drop in the bucket. Now, Im not sure the plate and sanding block and materials are a $70 value, BUT its the knowledge you are really paying for. Its actually pretty simple... you kind of think "why didnt I think of that"...but the fact is I didnt, and now I know it, I can save and improve a lot of my reeds very simply.

[kerry]

I am one of the "same old bunch" that usually talk about this, but it works great for me.

I use Rico Royals. Generally in a box of ten there are maybe 5 that are good to start with, three that are OK, and two planks.

The good 5 can usually be made a little better, the OK three can usually be bought up to the level of the good 5 and of the two planks one can be made OK. So you go from 5 reeds you would use in concert out of 10, to maybe 9 out of ten, and one that might be OK too.

I actually picked my kit up in the marketplace here for $30 or so...maybe put up a wanted Ad here and see if anyone who bought it is prepared to part with it now...


If you think about how much we spend on bespoke reeds and new mouthpieces, even ligatures, $70 is a drop in the bucket. Now, Im not sure the plate and sanding block and materials are a $70 value, BUT its the knowledge you are really paying for. Its actually pretty simple... you kind of think "why didnt I think of that"...but the fact is I didnt, and now I know it, I can save and improve a lot of my reeds very simply.

Its not that your opinion doesnt matter, its just that I was hoping to hear from others. It seams strange when only a few have tried and respond to things.

I am extremely interested. For me, I am tired of having 1 of 5 reeds play, which is what it seams anymore. I use plasticovers and used to think they were very consistant, not anymore.

Id like to go back to a all cane(no plastic coating) reed, but I want to look into working reeds and making them play better as I do think there is something to this. Usually I just throw a reed on and go. If its bad, I work through it, it does get better after a few days, but some are better then others even after a big break in.

I seam to get a lot of "stuffy" reeds that blow hard for 2 days, then feel perfect, then after about a week feel like they are so thin, and worn, they just wont respond. I think if I can work a reed to play better, I could and should up my reed size from a 2.5 to a 3. Maybe then I can get more then a week out of them. I play about every day 30min-1.5 hours per day.

[Danstr]

I've used it for probably about the past two years. It's not the "total solution to fix all of your reeds" but it does work well. I use the system in conjunction with other rituals to try and get the most out of my reeds. I'm happy with it and would recommend it without hesitation.

[senior]

8-)I have been using this system for several years and find that the education in reed adjusting worth the cost of the system. For most of the reeds fixes it works great but is not the total answer. On some of the more diffecult reeds a reed knife is needed. That requires more knowledge of how reeds work and alot more patience and practise. For general reed work the ATG reed system is well worth the cost.:D

[mkvi_tenor77]

I bought it a couple of years ago, and wasn't very impressed. I get better results using a reed knife and reed rush.

[Al Stevens]

Id like to hear from new users. If you look closely at all the archives, they are always the same people answering. Id like to hear from others, to see if there are more then the 4 people who are actually thrilled about this product.

Not everyone was thrilled.

http://forum.saxontheweb.net/showthread.php?p=405957&highlight=atg#post405957

[kerry]

Thanks for all the input, very helpful.

[Bloo Dog]

It looks something like what a friend's kid bought. I used it. It's nothing special.

You don't need to pay seventy bucks to make a kit to refine your reeds, and it doesn't take a genius to learn to tailor the reeds to one's needs/liking.

An 8"x8" piece of 3/8" plate glass, extra fine sand paper, a reed trimmer and an X-Acto knife is all one needs.

If you want a Bloo Dog (TM) Reed modification,customization, and rejuvenation system, send me $69.99 plus shipping and handling. This system slices, dices, juliennes, and purees, walks the dog and cures ED all for the low price of $69.99.

That's right-- just $69.99 plus shipping and handling. Act now, and I'll include a pair of limited edition Bloo Dog white linen gloves emblazoned with my distinctive Bloo Dog (TM) logo. You'll be the envy of everyone on the first row.

Operators are standing by...

[larrys]

I've found it to be very useful and get a lot more playable reeds by using this system. Maybe if I was more skilled at reed adjusting it would be a different story. This system took a lot of the Voodoo out of reed adjustment for me.

[martinm5862]

Please only post a response if you have used the ATG system.

How did it work for you, how many reeds out of 5 usually need fixed?

I've used it for about 3 years on alto and clarinet reeds. I use Ben Armato's
Reed Wizard to balance them and the ATG is great when I have to thin the tip
or the entire reed. The ATG is great for thinning but I seldom use it for balancing.
mm

[ShedShark]

I've had it for about a week now and it's definitely helping me make all of my reeds playable. The one problem I do run into is getting the tilted mouthpiece test to work consistently. I also seem to push some of the reeds into being a bit brighter. Anybody have any advice?

[Steve P]

I'm one of the same old folks who chimes in about this, but I've had it for about 4 years, and really love it. I can get the same result with reed rush and a knife, but this is much, much quicker. It's pretty rare now if I can't make a reed play really well.

For what it is worth, I'm a classical/contemporary player, so I use 3.5 Vando's and a close tip mouthpiece.

Steve P