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Post by Zi on Mar 1, 2023 8:47:23 GMT
Any suggestions as to how best keep reeds? I have a collection now and I feel they need somewhere to live!
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Post by pavane on Mar 1, 2023 9:24:17 GMT
There you are: the clarinet might be a pain to play, but it's a much richer source of gadget opportunities than recorders are!
I have a protec case that I saw recommended and it's quite good, holds a lot of reeds, and is cheaper than some (still a lot for a small plastic box). I find it fiddly to open: the catch that I expect to be on the lid is on the body, so I'm always trying to lift something that doesn't lift, if you see what I mean.
I've also got a couple of these which are fairly cheap and completely functional - the very similar d'addario branded ones are even available in different colours (amazon only have red and blue which, oddly, are substantially different in price, but I think they do other colours too).
You can go down the whole humidifier route but it's expensive and fiddly and I doubt it's worth it even for cane reeds unless you live in a desert, and not worth it for plastic reeds wherever you live. imho.
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Post by Zi on Mar 1, 2023 11:48:43 GMT
Thank you!
Right, I've had a look at the boxes and I've decided that I'm going to make my own. This is not as complex as it sounds as I already have the perfect wooden box. It just needs to be made clarinet reed friendly. I think then I'm going to put the reeds in the guard like things in different colours - I like bright colours! - so that the reeds go in the box in those...
Re reeds - I won't go back to cane. I don't like the 'taste'... I much prefer the plastic ones.
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Post by Zi on Mar 1, 2023 12:43:30 GMT
This is my first attempt... It needs a slightly larger piece of felt so at the moment I can't stick down the sides. I have wondered about stitching the elastic to make little compartments. But I'm pleased! 
Reed Box by Zi, on Flickr |
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Post by pavane on Mar 1, 2023 13:28:04 GMT
Looks great! Just a thought: with cane reeds at least, the general strategy is to keep them on something very flat, often a piece of glass, to stop them warping. I've never known a plastic reed to warp and they just sort of "hang" inside a Légère case, likewise a Barri case I think, so your arrangement should be perfect for the reeds that are in it. It might not be so good for cane, but that doesn't really matter given that you don't plan to use them.
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Post by Zi on Mar 1, 2023 13:59:41 GMT
It does look like it's on a curve doesn't it? But it isn't. It's two layers of really thick smooth cardboard - the felt on top. I could use some board and stick the felt to that. I do have some reed guards and I'll buy some more and put the reeds in those which will keep them flat. I have so many reeds now  I'd need two boxes and I'd rather keep them together. There is space in the lid as well but I don't have any more felt that colour. I'm not even sure that felt is the best material really. I'll likely see how it goes. If it doesn't work out then it's proper reed boxes! |
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Post by keff on Mar 1, 2023 14:05:58 GMT
The box looks very nice.
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Post by Zi on Mar 1, 2023 15:22:48 GMT
keff - Thank you! It is a nice box. I can't remember what was in it... maybe liqueurs? I've just ordered the d'addario guards in different colours - they hold four each so I suspect I may have to redesign my box a bit when they arrive!
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Post by Zi on Mar 4, 2023 10:54:16 GMT
The reed guard things arrived today. I bought 4 (so enough for 16 reeds). They're in different colours so they look bright and cheerful and 4 fit side by side in my box leaving a space at the bottom and top where I can put the single cane reeds I have which are already in singe reed guards. These brought a smile today.
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I'd need two boxes and I'd rather keep them together. There is space in the lid as well but I don't have any more felt that colour. I'm not even sure that felt is the best material really. I'll likely see how it goes. If it doesn't work out then it's proper reed boxes!
