tip warps when wetting...

justbari · 03-04-2003, 04:11 PM

...but straightens out when fully wet. The warp I'm talking about is a more wavy than anything. At least two or three "undulations" usually. Sometimes they straighten out completely and the reed works fine and sometimes they stay slightly warped and sound stuffy.

I know it's probably just due to different absorption rates for pulp and fibers but my question is, once they start getting the wave like this, does it mean they are toast or can they be fixed?

thanks

max · 03-04-2003, 04:24 PM

They'll be fine. If you don't generally soak reeds, try soaking them until the tip straightens out.

FWIW, I'm a full-time soaking convert now...

max · 03-04-2003, 04:46 PM

By "full-time" I mean that I now soak my reeds every time I'm going to play, as opposed to sucking them. (or sucking sometimes and soaking others...)

I don't mean that I am constantly soaking them.

Sorry I wasn't clear...

Ritchie · 03-05-2003, 07:29 AM

Just soak them until they are straight - then where is the problem?

If they stay warped even after 15-20 minutes of soaking, throw them away.

Cameron Wigmore · 03-08-2003, 08:52 PM

one trick you can use is to set the tip of your damp, warped reed over the table of your mouthpiece and hold it there with your thumb for a minute. It'll flatten out and should stay that way. If you do this, DON'T bend or wiggle the reed while you hold it there. That'll actually stretch out the tip a tiny bit and in the long run make your warp worse! Good luck.

Frank D · 03-09-2003, 04:44 PM

Soak the reeds until they're thoroughly wet, then put them in a reed holder (like La Voz). That ought to straighten them out.

justbari · 03-10-2003, 06:27 AM

Putting them in a reed holder doesn't work... placing them on glass doesn't work...

It's not a huge problem really. I just thought I was doing something wrong and thought it might be preventable. In the end, if they sound crappy I throw them out.

justbari