Mouthpiece Work / Standard Sizing Reference
FROM: steve_weinert (Steve Weinert)
SUBJECT: Standard Sizing Reference

Is there an on-line dimensional reference for Saxophone and Clarinet
mouthpieces - extact reed dimensions, overall typical sizes, tenon or bore
sizing?

Would be useful to have it to consult!

Thanks,


Steve
FROM: tenorman1952 (Paul Coats)
SUBJECT: Re: Standard Sizing Reference
No, nor do "standards" exist.  I have asked.

Paul

Steve Weinert wrote:

>
>
> Is there an on-line dimensional reference for Saxophone and Clarinet
> mouthpieces - extact reed dimensions, overall typical sizes, tenon or
> bore
> sizing?
>
> Would be useful to have it to consult!
>
> Thanks,
>
>
> Steve
>
>
>
>                    Yahoo! Groups Sponsor

                         ADVERTISEMENT

                                                             [Image]

             [Image]

>
> Got a Mouthpiece Work question?  Send it to
> MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com
>
> Visit the site at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MouthpieceWork to see
> the Files, Photos and Bookmarks relating to Mouthpiece Work.
>
> To see and modify your groups, go to http://groups.yahoo.com/mygroups
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.

--
Link to Paul's articles from Home page of "Sax on the Web":

  http://www.saxontheweb.net

or directly to Paul's articles at:

  http://www.saxontheweb.net/Coats/

Listen to Paul's MP3's at:

                http://briefcase.yahoo.com/tenorman1952

and view photos.
FROM: kwbradbury (Keith Bradbury)
SUBJECT: Re: Standard Sizing Reference
As for "exact" reed strength, if there is a recommendation, it is often a
range.  Vandoren recomends a range of 3 strengths for their mouthpieces
(presumably Vandoren reeds, since there is not a strength standard either).
 See their web site or the pamphlet that comes with their mouthpieces.  But
I recall using a harder reed than was in the recommended range for a
Vandoren 5JB when I was playing on one.  So it is just a guide.

Some makers will tell you what they use to test their mouthpieces with. 
But your chops are not their chops.

You can always ask on this and other forums what people are using.

If you have a specific dimensional question, ask it.  Several of us keep a
notebook of measurements or could grab a mouthpiece or instrument and make
the requested dimension.

We can build dimension databases as part of this forum.  But it is
difficult to structure one for all needs.



__________________________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Faith Hill - Exclusive Performances, Videos & More
http://faith.yahoo.com
FROM: tenorman1952 (Paul Coats)
SUBJECT: Re: Standard Sizing Reference
I know for a fact that the width of contrabass reeds was changed due to
a large diameter cane shortage.

At one time the very wide contrabass sax, bass sax reeds were
available.  But the reed makers could no longer get the large diameter
cane to make those sizes.  So, in order to use the narrower reeds that
were available, the manufactuers called up the mouthpiece makers, and
asked that the facing be made narrower to accomodate the narrower reed.

I also had noted, years ago, that bass clarinet reeds interchanged with
tenor sax reeds, alto clarinet with alto sax reeds, etc., but for butt
length.  However, I saw that soprano sax reeds were very slightly wider
than clarinet reeds... but not enough to prevent using soprano sax reeds
on clarinet or vice-versa.

So, I asked Santy Runyon, and people in the reed business, is there a
correct size for each instrument?  Are there standards?  Who would make
such standards?  Well, the answer is, no.

Paul

Keith Bradbury wrote:

>  As for "exact" reed strength, if there is a recommendation, it is
> often a
> range.  Vandoren recomends a range of 3 strengths for their
> mouthpieces
> (presumably Vandoren reeds, since there is not a strength standard
> either).
> See their web site or the pamphlet that comes with their mouthpieces.
> But
> I recall using a harder reed than was in the recommended range for a
> Vandoren 5JB when I was playing on one.  So it is just a guide.
>
> Some makers will tell you what they use to test their mouthpieces
> with.
> But your chops are not their chops.
>
> You can always ask on this and other forums what people are using.
>
> If you have a specific dimensional question, ask it.  Several of us
> keep a
> notebook of measurements or could grab a mouthpiece or instrument and
> make
> the requested dimension.
>
> We can build dimension databases as part of this forum.  But it is
> difficult to structure one for all needs.
>
>
>
> __________________________________________________
> Do you Yahoo!?
> Faith Hill - Exclusive Performances, Videos & More
> http://faith.yahoo.com
>
>                    Yahoo! Groups Sponsor

                         ADVERTISEMENT

                                                             [Image]

             [Image]

>
> Got a Mouthpiece Work question?  Send it to
> MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com
>
> Visit the site at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MouthpieceWork to see
> the Files, Photos and Bookmarks relating to Mouthpiece Work.
>
> To see and modify your groups, go to http://groups.yahoo.com/mygroups
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.

--
Link to Paul's articles from Home page of "Sax on the Web":

  http://www.saxontheweb.net

or directly to Paul's articles at:

  http://www.saxontheweb.net/Coats/

Listen to Paul's MP3's at:

                http://briefcase.yahoo.com/tenorman1952

and view photos.
FROM: danny_tb (Danny Barrett)
SUBJECT: Re: Standard Sizing Reference
I find it interesting what you said about the sizes of clarinet and 
sax reeds. I used to use a Wolfe Tayne 8* Tenor mouthpiece on an alto 
(it was just narrow enough to get an alto reed to work properly, and 
the tenor reed actually overlaps the sides by a reasonable distance). 
And at one point in time, on this set-up I was using Vandoren 3.5 
alto clarinet reeds on this mouthpiece (on the alto).

ie:

Alto clarinet reed on a tenor sax mouthpiece on an alto sax...

I'm not aware of any intonation problems, etc being there, but the 
mouthpiece did completely cover the cork (ie: you couldn't see the 
cork at all) when I tuned it.

Also, I concurr that the reed manufacturers seem not to have any 
standards. Both myself and a friend have found that there is a *very* 
large variation in reed strength for the same "sized" reed in the 
same "model" and brand - so you certainly can't compare brands using 
the same numbers. As an example:

Vandoren Java Tenor Sax 3.5 is about equivalent of Vandoren Classique 
3.25 (if it were to exist). However, I've also found Vandoren 
Classique 3 reeds that would be the equivalent of a Vandoren 
Classique 3.5 or 4.
Rico Royal reeds are reported by some people to be softer than the 
same number Rico (standard) reed, but they're reported to be harder 
by others. Also, I've come across Rico's and RR's that should be 
classified as much as 0.5, and even 1 reed strength harder and softer 
than they actually were on the box. My friend has had Rico's that 
have been classified as 3.5, but were as soft as a 2, or even as soft 
as a 1.5.
From a chart I've seen, a La Voz hard is supposedly the equivalent of 
a Rico Royal 5, or a Vandoren Classique 4, but I found them to be 
softer than the VD 3 - more like a RR 3.5. Also, these tend to vary 
between being about the equivalent of a RR 3.5 and a RR 4 or evern a 
RR 5.
Alexander Superial reeds seem to be the least variable from what I 
can tell, but I haven't tried them myself, so I'm only going on what 
friends have said. However, it would seem that they are somewhere in 
between the hardness of a Rico and a Vandoren for the same strength 
number.

From the info above, I think it's safe to say that most of the reed 
manufacturers can't seem to get their strengths consistent from batch 
to batch, and even within the same box, so I doubt that they're ever 
going to standardise on any strength numbering system between the 
whole lot of them.

If anyone else has anything else to add, please do.

Danny


--- In MouthpieceWork@y..., Paul Coats <tenorman@t...> wrote:
> I know for a fact that the width of contrabass reeds was changed 
due to
> a large diameter cane shortage.
> 
> At one time the very wide contrabass sax, bass sax reeds were
> available.  But the reed makers could no longer get the large 
diameter
> cane to make those sizes.  So, in order to use the narrower reeds 
that
> were available, the manufactuers called up the mouthpiece makers, 
and
> asked that the facing be made narrower to accomodate the narrower 
reed.
> 
> I also had noted, years ago, that bass clarinet reeds interchanged 
with
> tenor sax reeds, alto clarinet with alto sax reeds, etc., but for 
butt
> length.  However, I saw that soprano sax reeds were very slightly 
wider
> than clarinet reeds... but not enough to prevent using soprano sax 
reeds
> on clarinet or vice-versa.
> 
> So, I asked Santy Runyon, and people in the reed business, is there 
a
> correct size for each instrument?  Are there standards?  Who would 
make
> such standards?  Well, the answer is, no.
> 
> Paul
> 
> Keith Bradbury wrote:
> 
> >  As for "exact" reed strength, if there is a recommendation, it is
> > often a
> > range.  Vandoren recomends a range of 3 strengths for their
> > mouthpieces
> > (presumably Vandoren reeds, since there is not a strength standard
> > either).
> > See their web site or the pamphlet that comes with their 
mouthpieces.
> > But
> > I recall using a harder reed than was in the recommended range 
for a
> > Vandoren 5JB when I was playing on one.  So it is just a guide.
> >
> > Some makers will tell you what they use to test their mouthpieces
> > with.
> > But your chops are not their chops.
> >
> > You can always ask on this and other forums what people are using.
> >
> > If you have a specific dimensional question, ask it.  Several of 
us
> > keep a
> > notebook of measurements or could grab a mouthpiece or instrument 
and
> > make
> > the requested dimension.
> >
> > We can build dimension databases as part of this forum.  But it is
> > difficult to structure one for all needs.
> >
> >
> >
> > __________________________________________________
> > Do you Yahoo!?
> > Faith Hill - Exclusive Performances, Videos & More
> > http://faith.yahoo.com
> >
> >                    Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
> 
>                          ADVERTISEMENT
> 
>                                                              [Image]
> 
>              [Image]
> 
> >
> > Got a Mouthpiece Work question?  Send it to
> > MouthpieceWork@y...
> >
> > Visit the site at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MouthpieceWork to 
see
> > the Files, Photos and Bookmarks relating to Mouthpiece Work.
> >
> > To see and modify your groups, go to 
http://groups.yahoo.com/mygroups
> >
> > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of 
Service.
> 
> --
> Link to Paul's articles from Home page of "Sax on the Web":
> 
>   http://www.saxontheweb.net
> 
> or directly to Paul's articles at:
> 
>   http://www.saxontheweb.net/Coats/
> 
> Listen to Paul's MP3's at:
> 
>                 http://briefcase.yahoo.com/tenorman1952
> 
> and view photos.
FROM: kymarto (Toby)
SUBJECT: Re: Standard Sizing Reference
What I've read is that reed maufacturers just test the flex resistance of reeds to classify their strength. There doesn't seem to be any standard other than that. And AFAIK there is no concurrence between different manufactureres as to what the numbers are supposed to signify.



Toby
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Danny Barrett 
  To: MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com 
  Sent: Sunday, October 27, 2002 3:30 PM
  Subject: [MouthpieceWork] Re: Standard Sizing Reference


  I find it interesting what you said about the sizes of clarinet and 
  sax reeds. I used to use a Wolfe Tayne 8* Tenor mouthpiece on an alto 
  (it was just narrow enough to get an alto reed to work properly, and 
  the tenor reed actually overlaps the sides by a reasonable distance). 
  And at one point in time, on this set-up I was using Vandoren 3.5 
  alto clarinet reeds on this mouthpiece (on the alto).

  ie:

  Alto clarinet reed on a tenor sax mouthpiece on an alto sax...

  I'm not aware of any intonation problems, etc being there, but the 
  mouthpiece did completely cover the cork (ie: you couldn't see the 
  cork at all) when I tuned it.

  Also, I concurr that the reed manufacturers seem not to have any 
  standards. Both myself and a friend have found that there is a *very* 
  large variation in reed strength for the same "sized" reed in the 
  same "model" and brand - so you certainly can't compare brands using 
  the same numbers. As an example:

  Vandoren Java Tenor Sax 3.5 is about equivalent of Vandoren Classique 
  3.25 (if it were to exist). However, I've also found Vandoren 
  Classique 3 reeds that would be the equivalent of a Vandoren 
  Classique 3.5 or 4.
  Rico Royal reeds are reported by some people to be softer than the 
  same number Rico (standard) reed, but they're reported to be harder 
  by others. Also, I've come across Rico's and RR's that should be 
  classified as much as 0.5, and even 1 reed strength harder and softer 
  than they actually were on the box. My friend has had Rico's that 
  have been classified as 3.5, but were as soft as a 2, or even as soft 
  as a 1.5.
  From a chart I've seen, a La Voz hard is supposedly the equivalent of 
  a Rico Royal 5, or a Vandoren Classique 4, but I found them to be 
  softer than the VD 3 - more like a RR 3.5. Also, these tend to vary 
  between being about the equivalent of a RR 3.5 and a RR 4 or evern a 
  RR 5.
  Alexander Superial reeds seem to be the least variable from what I 
  can tell, but I haven't tried them myself, so I'm only going on what 
  friends have said. However, it would seem that they are somewhere in 
  between the hardness of a Rico and a Vandoren for the same strength 
  number.

  From the info above, I think it's safe to say that most of the reed 
  manufacturers can't seem to get their strengths consistent from batch 
  to batch, and even within the same box, so I doubt that they're ever 
  going to standardise on any strength numbering system between the 
  whole lot of them.

  If anyone else has anything else to add, please do.

  Danny


  --- In MouthpieceWork@y..., Paul Coats <tenorman@t...> wrote:
  > I know for a fact that the width of contrabass reeds was changed 
  due to
  > a large diameter cane shortage.
  > 
  > At one time the very wide contrabass sax, bass sax reeds were
  > available.  But the reed makers could no longer get the large 
  diameter
  > cane to make those sizes.  So, in order to use the narrower reeds 
  that
  > were available, the manufactuers called up the mouthpiece makers, 
  and
  > asked that the facing be made narrower to accomodate the narrower 
  reed.
  > 
  > I also had noted, years ago, that bass clarinet reeds interchanged 
  with
  > tenor sax reeds, alto clarinet with alto sax reeds, etc., but for 
  butt
  > length.  However, I saw that soprano sax reeds were very slightly 
  wider
  > than clarinet reeds... but not enough to prevent using soprano sax 
  reeds
  > on clarinet or vice-versa.
  > 
  > So, I asked Santy Runyon, and people in the reed business, is there 
  a
  > correct size for each instrument?  Are there standards?  Who would 
  make
  > such standards?  Well, the answer is, no.
  > 
  > Paul
  > 
  > Keith Bradbury wrote:
  > 
  > >  As for "exact" reed strength, if there is a recommendation, it is
  > > often a
  > > range.  Vandoren recomends a range of 3 strengths for their
  > > mouthpieces
  > > (presumably Vandoren reeds, since there is not a strength standard
  > > either).
  > > See their web site or the pamphlet that comes with their 
  mouthpieces.
  > > But
  > > I recall using a harder reed than was in the recommended range 
  for a
  > > Vandoren 5JB when I was playing on one.  So it is just a guide.
  > >
  > > Some makers will tell you what they use to test their mouthpieces
  > > with.
  > > But your chops are not their chops.
  > >
  > > You can always ask on this and other forums what people are using.
  > >
  > > If you have a specific dimensional question, ask it.  Several of 
  us
  > > keep a
  > > notebook of measurements or could grab a mouthpiece or instrument 
  and
  > > make
  > > the requested dimension.
  > >
  > > We can build dimension databases as part of this forum.  But it is
  > > difficult to structure one for all needs.
  > >
  > >
  > >
  > > __________________________________________________
  > > Do you Yahoo!?
  > > Faith Hill - Exclusive Performances, Videos & More
  > > http://faith.yahoo.com
  > >
  > >                    Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
  > 
  >                          ADVERTISEMENT
  > 
  >                                                              [Image]
  > 
  >              [Image]
  > 
  > >
  > > Got a Mouthpiece Work question?  Send it to
  > > MouthpieceWork@y...
  > >
  > > Visit the site at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MouthpieceWork to 
  see
  > > the Files, Photos and Bookmarks relating to Mouthpiece Work.
  > >
  > > To see and modify your groups, go to 
  http://groups.yahoo.com/mygroups
  > >
  > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of 
  Service.
  > 
  > --
  > Link to Paul's articles from Home page of "Sax on the Web":
  > 
  >   http://www.saxontheweb.net
  > 
  > or directly to Paul's articles at:
  > 
  >   http://www.saxontheweb.net/Coats/
  > 
  > Listen to Paul's MP3's at:
  > 
  >                 http://briefcase.yahoo.com/tenorman1952
  > 
  > and view photos.


        Yahoo! Groups Sponsor 
              ADVERTISEMENT
             
       
       

  Got a Mouthpiece Work question?  Send it to MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com

  Visit the site at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MouthpieceWork to see the Files, Photos and Bookmarks relating to Mouthpiece Work.

  To see and modify your groups, go to http://groups.yahoo.com/mygroups 

  Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
FROM: gwjackson (Gregg W. Jackson)
SUBJECT: Re: Standard Sizing Reference
I've found charts at the Rico web site and the International Music 
Suppliers web site. Vandoren has a chart on a playing card size piece 
of plastic. I think that someone, maybe Saxfoonwinkel, has put a copy 
of this chart on the web. None of these charts agree with each other 
or with my own experience.

The effective strength of a reed seems to be influenced by their 
physical history (how they were stored, prepared, and played), the 
player (embouchure and breath support), and the characteristics of 
the mouthpiece (tip openig, facing, and chamber profile). I have been 
keeping records of reeds and mouthpieces and have found a few cases 
where a Brand A reed of strenght x plays harder than a Brand B reed 
of strength y on one mouthpiece and softer on another.

Gregg

--- In MouthpieceWork@y..., "Toby" <kymarto@y...> wrote:
> What I've read is that reed maufacturers just test the flex 
resistance of reeds to classify their strength. There doesn't seem to 
be any standard other than that. And AFAIK there is no concurrence 
between different manufactureres as to what the numbers are supposed 
to signify.
FROM: tenorman1952 (Paul Coats)
SUBJECT: Re: Standard Sizing Reference
Fibracell has a good chart, and in my experience, it is pretty close.

www.fibracell.com

Paul

"Gregg W. Jackson" wrote:

>  I've found charts at the Rico web site and the International Music
> Suppliers web site. Vandoren has a chart on a playing card size piece
> of plastic. I think that someone, maybe Saxfoonwinkel, has put a copy
> of this chart on the web. None of these charts agree with each other
> or with my own experience.
>
> The effective strength of a reed seems to be influenced by their
> physical history (how they were stored, prepared, and played), the
> player (embouchure and breath support), and the characteristics of
> the mouthpiece (tip openig, facing, and chamber profile). I have been
> keeping records of reeds and mouthpieces and have found a few cases
> where a Brand A reed of strenght x plays harder than a Brand B reed
> of strength y on one mouthpiece and softer on another.
>
> Gregg
>
> --- In MouthpieceWork@y..., "Toby" <kymarto@y...> wrote:
> > What I've read is that reed maufacturers just test the flex
> resistance of reeds to classify their strength. There doesn't seem to
> be any standard other than that. And AFAIK there is no concurrence
> between different manufactureres as to what the numbers are supposed
> to signify.
>
>
>
>                    Yahoo! Groups Sponsor

                         ADVERTISEMENT

                                                             [Image]

             [Image]

>
> Got a Mouthpiece Work question?  Send it to
> MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com
>
> Visit the site at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MouthpieceWork to see
> the Files, Photos and Bookmarks relating to Mouthpiece Work.
>
> To see and modify your groups, go to http://groups.yahoo.com/mygroups
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.

--
Link to Paul's articles from Home page of "Sax on the Web":

  http://www.saxontheweb.net

or directly to Paul's articles at:

  http://www.saxontheweb.net/Coats/

Listen to Paul's MP3's at:

                http://briefcase.yahoo.com/tenorman1952

and view photos.
FROM: danny_tb (Danny Barrett)
SUBJECT: Re: Standard Sizing Reference
I second everything you've said there. I've come to the point where 
I'm seriously considering buying reeds that are far too hard for me 
(like Rico 5 or similar), and sanding their undersurfaces until I can 
then play them. At least then I'll know that if they end up too soft, 
it's my own fault.

At the moment, myself and a couple of friends are getting all sorts 
of things - Rico 3.5's that feel like Rico 1.5's, Rico 3.5's that 
feel like Rico 4's, etc, etc, etc... One guy has just figured out 
that one of the alto sax reeds he got was actually an alto clarinet 
reed! The funny thing about it is that it was one of the best reeds 
he's ever had!

All I can say is that they don't make 'em like they used to...

DB


--- In MouthpieceWork@y..., "Gregg W. Jackson" <gwjackson@y...> wrote:
> I've found charts at the Rico web site and the International Music 
> Suppliers web site. Vandoren has a chart on a playing card size 
piece 
> of plastic. I think that someone, maybe Saxfoonwinkel, has put a 
copy 
> of this chart on the web. None of these charts agree with each 
other 
> or with my own experience.
> 
> The effective strength of a reed seems to be influenced by their 
> physical history (how they were stored, prepared, and played), the 
> player (embouchure and breath support), and the characteristics of 
> the mouthpiece (tip openig, facing, and chamber profile). I have 
been 
> keeping records of reeds and mouthpieces and have found a few cases 
> where a Brand A reed of strenght x plays harder than a Brand B reed 
> of strength y on one mouthpiece and softer on another.
> 
> Gregg
> 
> --- In MouthpieceWork@y..., "Toby" <kymarto@y...> wrote:
> > What I've read is that reed maufacturers just test the flex 
> resistance of reeds to classify their strength. There doesn't seem 
to 
> be any standard other than that. And AFAIK there is no concurrence 
> between different manufactureres as to what the numbers are 
supposed 
> to signify.
FROM: (Bootman)
SUBJECT: Re: Standard Sizing Reference
You could try drilling the reeds, this works very well.
Later
God Bless
Bootman
Richard Booth
www.bootmanmusic.com

-----Original Message-----
From: Danny Barrett [mailto:danny_tb@...]
Sent: Wednesday, 30 October 2002 6:56 PM
To: MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [MouthpieceWork] Re: Standard Sizing Reference


I second everything you've said there. I've come to the point where
I'm seriously considering buying reeds that are far too hard for me
(like Rico 5 or similar), and sanding their undersurfaces until I can
then play them. At least then I'll know that if they end up too soft,
it's my own fault.

At the moment, myself and a couple of friends are getting all sorts
of things - Rico 3.5's that feel like Rico 1.5's, Rico 3.5's that
feel like Rico 4's, etc, etc, etc... One guy has just figured out
that one of the alto sax reeds he got was actually an alto clarinet
reed! The funny thing about it is that it was one of the best reeds
he's ever had!

All I can say is that they don't make 'em like they used to...

DB


--- In MouthpieceWork@y..., "Gregg W. Jackson" <gwjackson@y...> wrote:
> I've found charts at the Rico web site and the International Music
> Suppliers web site. Vandoren has a chart on a playing card size
piece
> of plastic. I think that someone, maybe Saxfoonwinkel, has put a
copy
> of this chart on the web. None of these charts agree with each
other
> or with my own experience.
>
> The effective strength of a reed seems to be influenced by their
> physical history (how they were stored, prepared, and played), the
> player (embouchure and breath support), and the characteristics of
> the mouthpiece (tip openig, facing, and chamber profile). I have
been
> keeping records of reeds and mouthpieces and have found a few cases
> where a Brand A reed of strenght x plays harder than a Brand B reed
> of strength y on one mouthpiece and softer on another.
>
> Gregg
>
> --- In MouthpieceWork@y..., "Toby" <kymarto@y...> wrote:
> > What I've read is that reed maufacturers just test the flex
> resistance of reeds to classify their strength. There doesn't seem
to
> be any standard other than that. And AFAIK there is no concurrence
> between different manufactureres as to what the numbers are
supposed
> to signify.



Got a Mouthpiece Work question?  Send it to MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com

Visit the site at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MouthpieceWork to see the
Files, Photos and Bookmarks relating to Mouthpiece Work.

To see and modify your groups, go to http://groups.yahoo.com/mygroups

Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
FROM: danny_tb (Danny Barrett)
SUBJECT: Re: Standard Sizing Reference
Thanks for the advice, but the problem seems to be more at the tip of 
the reed - unless you're saying to drill hard reeds to make them 
easier to play?

--- In MouthpieceWork@y..., "Bootman" <rbooth@b...> wrote:
> You could try drilling the reeds, this works very well.
> Later
> God Bless
> Bootman
> Richard Booth
> www.bootmanmusic.com
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Danny Barrett [mailto:danny_tb@y...]
> Sent: Wednesday, 30 October 2002 6:56 PM
> To: MouthpieceWork@y...
> Subject: [MouthpieceWork] Re: Standard Sizing Reference
> 
> 
> I second everything you've said there. I've come to the point where
> I'm seriously considering buying reeds that are far too hard for me
> (like Rico 5 or similar), and sanding their undersurfaces until I 
can
> then play them. At least then I'll know that if they end up too 
soft,
> it's my own fault.
> 
> At the moment, myself and a couple of friends are getting all sorts
> of things - Rico 3.5's that feel like Rico 1.5's, Rico 3.5's that
> feel like Rico 4's, etc, etc, etc... One guy has just figured out
> that one of the alto sax reeds he got was actually an alto clarinet
> reed! The funny thing about it is that it was one of the best reeds
> he's ever had!
> 
> All I can say is that they don't make 'em like they used to...
> 
> DB
> 
> 
> --- In MouthpieceWork@y..., "Gregg W. Jackson" <gwjackson@y...> 
wrote:
> > I've found charts at the Rico web site and the International Music
> > Suppliers web site. Vandoren has a chart on a playing card size
> piece
> > of plastic. I think that someone, maybe Saxfoonwinkel, has put a
> copy
> > of this chart on the web. None of these charts agree with each
> other
> > or with my own experience.
> >
> > The effective strength of a reed seems to be influenced by their
> > physical history (how they were stored, prepared, and played), the
> > player (embouchure and breath support), and the characteristics of
> > the mouthpiece (tip openig, facing, and chamber profile). I have
> been
> > keeping records of reeds and mouthpieces and have found a few 
cases
> > where a Brand A reed of strenght x plays harder than a Brand B 
reed
> > of strength y on one mouthpiece and softer on another.
> >
> > Gregg
> >
> > --- In MouthpieceWork@y..., "Toby" <kymarto@y...> wrote:
> > > What I've read is that reed maufacturers just test the flex
> > resistance of reeds to classify their strength. There doesn't seem
> to
> > be any standard other than that. And AFAIK there is no concurrence
> > between different manufactureres as to what the numbers are
> supposed
> > to signify.
> 
> 
> 
> Got a Mouthpiece Work question?  Send it to MouthpieceWork@y...
> 
> Visit the site at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MouthpieceWork to 
see the
> Files, Photos and Bookmarks relating to Mouthpiece Work.
> 
> To see and modify your groups, go to 
http://groups.yahoo.com/mygroups
> 
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to 
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
FROM: (Bootman)
SUBJECT: Re: Standard Sizing Reference
Check out http://www.geocities.com/reed_drilling/
It should answer the questions pretty well.
Later
God Bless
Bootman
Richard Booth
www.bootmanmusic.com

-----Original Message-----
From: Danny Barrett [mailto:danny_tb@...]
Sent: Wednesday, 30 October 2002 9:27 PM
To: MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [MouthpieceWork] Re: Standard Sizing Reference


Thanks for the advice, but the problem seems to be more at the tip of
the reed - unless you're saying to drill hard reeds to make them
easier to play?

--- In MouthpieceWork@y..., "Bootman" <rbooth@b...> wrote:
> You could try drilling the reeds, this works very well.
> Later
> God Bless
> Bootman
> Richard Booth
> www.bootmanmusic.com
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Danny Barrett [mailto:danny_tb@y...]
> Sent: Wednesday, 30 October 2002 6:56 PM
> To: MouthpieceWork@y...
> Subject: [MouthpieceWork] Re: Standard Sizing Reference
>
>
> I second everything you've said there. I've come to the point where
> I'm seriously considering buying reeds that are far too hard for me
> (like Rico 5 or similar), and sanding their undersurfaces until I
can
> then play them. At least then I'll know that if they end up too
soft,
> it's my own fault.
>
> At the moment, myself and a couple of friends are getting all sorts
> of things - Rico 3.5's that feel like Rico 1.5's, Rico 3.5's that
> feel like Rico 4's, etc, etc, etc... One guy has just figured out
> that one of the alto sax reeds he got was actually an alto clarinet
> reed! The funny thing about it is that it was one of the best reeds
> he's ever had!
>
> All I can say is that they don't make 'em like they used to...
>
> DB
>
>
> --- In MouthpieceWork@y..., "Gregg W. Jackson" <gwjackson@y...>
wrote:
> > I've found charts at the Rico web site and the International Music
> > Suppliers web site. Vandoren has a chart on a playing card size
> piece
> > of plastic. I think that someone, maybe Saxfoonwinkel, has put a
> copy
> > of this chart on the web. None of these charts agree with each
> other
> > or with my own experience.
> >
> > The effective strength of a reed seems to be influenced by their
> > physical history (how they were stored, prepared, and played), the
> > player (embouchure and breath support), and the characteristics of
> > the mouthpiece (tip openig, facing, and chamber profile). I have
> been
> > keeping records of reeds and mouthpieces and have found a few
cases
> > where a Brand A reed of strenght x plays harder than a Brand B
reed
> > of strength y on one mouthpiece and softer on another.
> >
> > Gregg
> >
> > --- In MouthpieceWork@y..., "Toby" <kymarto@y...> wrote:
> > > What I've read is that reed maufacturers just test the flex
> > resistance of reeds to classify their strength. There doesn't seem
> to
> > be any standard other than that. And AFAIK there is no concurrence
> > between different manufactureres as to what the numbers are
> supposed
> > to signify.
>
>
>
> Got a Mouthpiece Work question?  Send it to MouthpieceWork@y...
>
> Visit the site at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MouthpieceWork to
see the
> Files, Photos and Bookmarks relating to Mouthpiece Work.
>
> To see and modify your groups, go to
http://groups.yahoo.com/mygroups
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/



Got a Mouthpiece Work question?  Send it to MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com

Visit the site at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MouthpieceWork to see the
Files, Photos and Bookmarks relating to Mouthpiece Work.

To see and modify your groups, go to http://groups.yahoo.com/mygroups

Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
FROM: kymarto (Toby)
SUBJECT: Re: Standard Sizing Reference
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Gregg W. Jackson 
  To: MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com 
  Sent: Wednesday, October 30, 2002 10:46 AM
  Subject: [MouthpieceWork] Re: Standard Sizing Reference


  I have been 
  keeping records of reeds and mouthpieces and have found a few cases 
  where a Brand A reed of strenght x plays harder than a Brand B reed 
  of strength y on one mouthpiece and softer on another.

  Gregg

  I would guess that this is influenced by the length and shape of the facing curve. 

  Toby
FROM: tenorman1952 (Paul Coats)
SUBJECT: Re: Standard Sizing Reference
Drilling reeds in this fashion seems to free up the reed to vibrate
better.  Charpin brand reeds were made in this fashion.  I have also
seen reeds in the past with a groove filed in this area.

Paul

Bootman wrote:

>  Check out http://www.geocities.com/reed_drilling/
> It should answer the questions pretty well.
> Later
> God Bless
> Bootman
> Richard Booth
> www.bootmanmusic.com
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Danny Barrett [mailto:danny_tb@...]
> Sent: Wednesday, 30 October 2002 9:27 PM
> To: MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [MouthpieceWork] Re: Standard Sizing Reference
>
>
> Thanks for the advice, but the problem seems to be more at the tip of
> the reed - unless you're saying to drill hard reeds to make them
> easier to play?
>
> --- In MouthpieceWork@y..., "Bootman" <rbooth@b...> wrote:
> > You could try drilling the reeds, this works very well.
> > Later
> > God Bless
> > Bootman
> > Richard Booth
> > www.bootmanmusic.com
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Danny Barrett [mailto:danny_tb@y...]
> > Sent: Wednesday, 30 October 2002 6:56 PM
> > To: MouthpieceWork@y...
> > Subject: [MouthpieceWork] Re: Standard Sizing Reference
> >
> >
> > I second everything you've said there. I've come to the point where
> > I'm seriously considering buying reeds that are far too hard for me
> > (like Rico 5 or similar), and sanding their undersurfaces until I
> can
> > then play them. At least then I'll know that if they end up too
> soft,
> > it's my own fault.
> >
> > At the moment, myself and a couple of friends are getting all sorts
> > of things - Rico 3.5's that feel like Rico 1.5's, Rico 3.5's that
> > feel like Rico 4's, etc, etc, etc... One guy has just figured out
> > that one of the alto sax reeds he got was actually an alto clarinet
> > reed! The funny thing about it is that it was one of the best reeds
> > he's ever had!
> >
> > All I can say is that they don't make 'em like they used to...
> >
> > DB
> >
> >
> > --- In MouthpieceWork@y..., "Gregg W. Jackson" <gwjackson@y...>
> wrote:
> > > I've found charts at the Rico web site and the International Music
>
> > > Suppliers web site. Vandoren has a chart on a playing card size
> > piece
> > > of plastic. I think that someone, maybe Saxfoonwinkel, has put a
> > copy
> > > of this chart on the web. None of these charts agree with each
> > other
> > > or with my own experience.
> > >
> > > The effective strength of a reed seems to be influenced by their
> > > physical history (how they were stored, prepared, and played), the
>
> > > player (embouchure and breath support), and the characteristics of
>
> > > the mouthpiece (tip openig, facing, and chamber profile). I have
> > been
> > > keeping records of reeds and mouthpieces and have found a few
> cases
> > > where a Brand A reed of strenght x plays harder than a Brand B
> reed
> > > of strength y on one mouthpiece and softer on another.
> > >
> > > Gregg
> > >
> > > --- In MouthpieceWork@y..., "Toby" <kymarto@y...> wrote:
> > > > What I've read is that reed maufacturers just test the flex
> > > resistance of reeds to classify their strength. There doesn't seem
>
> > to
> > > be any standard other than that. And AFAIK there is no concurrence
>
> > > between different manufactureres as to what the numbers are
> > supposed
> > > to signify.
> >
> >
> >
> > Got a Mouthpiece Work question?  Send it to MouthpieceWork@y...
> >
> > Visit the site at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MouthpieceWork to
> see the
> > Files, Photos and Bookmarks relating to Mouthpiece Work.
> >
> > To see and modify your groups, go to
> http://groups.yahoo.com/mygroups
> >
> > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
> http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
>
> Got a Mouthpiece Work question?  Send it to
> MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com
>
> Visit the site at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MouthpieceWork to see
> the
> Files, Photos and Bookmarks relating to Mouthpiece Work.
>
> To see and modify your groups, go to http://groups.yahoo.com/mygroups
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
> http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
>
>
>                    Yahoo! Groups Sponsor

                         ADVERTISEMENT

                                                             [Image]

             [Image]

>
> Got a Mouthpiece Work question?  Send it to
> MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com
>
> Visit the site at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MouthpieceWork to see
> the Files, Photos and Bookmarks relating to Mouthpiece Work.
>
> To see and modify your groups, go to http://groups.yahoo.com/mygroups
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.

--
Link to Paul's articles from Home page of "Sax on the Web":

  http://www.saxontheweb.net

or directly to Paul's articles at:

  http://www.saxontheweb.net/Coats/

Listen to Paul's MP3's at:

                http://briefcase.yahoo.com/tenorman1952

and view photos.
FROM: mikeruhl (Mike Ruhl)
SUBJECT: Re: Standard Sizing Reference
Danny, down in the "links" section of the Reed Drilling page Bootman 
mentioned, there are several links to diagrams that describe how to tweak 
reeds to achieve specific results.

I maintain that page, btw.  I slapped it together about a year ago, with 
Bootman's permission.

Mike R.


>From: "Bootman" <rbooth@...>
>Reply-To: MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com
>To: <MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com>
>Subject: RE: [MouthpieceWork] Re: Standard Sizing Reference
>Date: Wed, 30 Oct 2002 21:29:43 +1100
>
>Check out http://www.geocities.com/reed_drilling/
>It should answer the questions pretty well.
>Later
>God Bless
>Bootman
>Richard Booth
>www.bootmanmusic.com
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Danny Barrett [mailto:danny_tb@...]
>Sent: Wednesday, 30 October 2002 9:27 PM
>To: MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: [MouthpieceWork] Re: Standard Sizing Reference
>
>
>Thanks for the advice, but the problem seems to be more at the tip of
>the reed - unless you're saying to drill hard reeds to make them
>easier to play?
>
>--- In MouthpieceWork@y..., "Bootman" <rbooth@b...> wrote:
> > You could try drilling the reeds, this works very well.
> > Later
> > God Bless
> > Bootman
> > Richard Booth
> > www.bootmanmusic.com
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Danny Barrett [mailto:danny_tb@y...]
> > Sent: Wednesday, 30 October 2002 6:56 PM
> > To: MouthpieceWork@y...
> > Subject: [MouthpieceWork] Re: Standard Sizing Reference
> >
> >
> > I second everything you've said there. I've come to the point where
> > I'm seriously considering buying reeds that are far too hard for me
> > (like Rico 5 or similar), and sanding their undersurfaces until I
>can
> > then play them. At least then I'll know that if they end up too
>soft,
> > it's my own fault.
> >
> > At the moment, myself and a couple of friends are getting all sorts
> > of things - Rico 3.5's that feel like Rico 1.5's, Rico 3.5's that
> > feel like Rico 4's, etc, etc, etc... One guy has just figured out
> > that one of the alto sax reeds he got was actually an alto clarinet
> > reed! The funny thing about it is that it was one of the best reeds
> > he's ever had!
> >
> > All I can say is that they don't make 'em like they used to...
> >
> > DB
> >
> >
> > --- In MouthpieceWork@y..., "Gregg W. Jackson" <gwjackson@y...>
>wrote:
> > > I've found charts at the Rico web site and the International Music
> > > Suppliers web site. Vandoren has a chart on a playing card size
> > piece
> > > of plastic. I think that someone, maybe Saxfoonwinkel, has put a
> > copy
> > > of this chart on the web. None of these charts agree with each
> > other
> > > or with my own experience.
> > >
> > > The effective strength of a reed seems to be influenced by their
> > > physical history (how they were stored, prepared, and played), the
> > > player (embouchure and breath support), and the characteristics of
> > > the mouthpiece (tip openig, facing, and chamber profile). I have
> > been
> > > keeping records of reeds and mouthpieces and have found a few
>cases
> > > where a Brand A reed of strenght x plays harder than a Brand B
>reed
> > > of strength y on one mouthpiece and softer on another.
> > >
> > > Gregg
> > >
> > > --- In MouthpieceWork@y..., "Toby" <kymarto@y...> wrote:
> > > > What I've read is that reed maufacturers just test the flex
> > > resistance of reeds to classify their strength. There doesn't seem
> > to
> > > be any standard other than that. And AFAIK there is no concurrence
> > > between different manufactureres as to what the numbers are
> > supposed
> > > to signify.
> >
> >
> >
> > Got a Mouthpiece Work question?  Send it to MouthpieceWork@y...
> >
> > Visit the site at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MouthpieceWork to
>see the
> > Files, Photos and Bookmarks relating to Mouthpiece Work.
> >
> > To see and modify your groups, go to
>http://groups.yahoo.com/mygroups
> >
> > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
>http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
>
>Got a Mouthpiece Work question?  Send it to MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com
>
>Visit the site at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MouthpieceWork to see the
>Files, Photos and Bookmarks relating to Mouthpiece Work.
>
>To see and modify your groups, go to http://groups.yahoo.com/mygroups
>
>Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
>
>
>
>Got a Mouthpiece Work question?  Send it to MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com
>
>Visit the site at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MouthpieceWork to see the 
>Files, Photos and Bookmarks relating to Mouthpiece Work.
>
>To see and modify your groups, go to http://groups.yahoo.com/mygroups
>
>Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/


_________________________________________________________________
Surf the Web without missing calls!�Get MSN Broadband.  
http://resourcecenter.msn.com/access/plans/freeactivation.asp
FROM: eltissimo (Dr John Ricketts)
SUBJECT: Re: Standard Sizing Reference
Got caught myself only last week on a box of Zonda's. They come out 
far harder than the Superials and LaVoz's I've been using. Still, 
once you learn to sand reeds, it's surprising how you can tweak the 
performance around to suit you, and make a dull reed sound good.


--- In MouthpieceWork@y..., "Danny Barrett" <danny_tb@y...> wrote:
> I second everything you've said there. I've come to the point where 
> I'm seriously considering buying reeds that are far too hard for me 
> (like Rico 5 or similar), and sanding their undersurfaces until I 
can 
> then play them. At least then I'll know that if they end up too 
soft, 
> it's my own fault.
> 
>
FROM: gwjackson (Gregg W. Jackson)
SUBJECT: Re: Standard Sizing Reference
I agree. Has anyone measured reed profiles that way that some folks 
have measured facings? If so, has anyone attempted to correlate 
mouthpiece facing curves to reed facing curves.

This might explain why some reeds play better on some mouthpieces 
than others do and vice versa.

Gregg

--- In MouthpieceWork@y..., "Toby" <kymarto@y...> wrote:
>   I would guess that this is influenced by the length and shape of 
the facing curve. 
> 
>   Toby
FROM: tenorman1952 (Paul Coats)
SUBJECT: Re: Standard Sizing Reference
While I have not made measurements, I do know that this is exactly why
some mouthpieces work better with some reeds than others.

Paul

"Gregg W. Jackson" wrote:

>  I agree. Has anyone measured reed profiles that way that some folks
> have measured facings? If so, has anyone attempted to correlate
> mouthpiece facing curves to reed facing curves.
>
> This might explain why some reeds play better on some mouthpieces
> than others do and vice versa.
>
> Gregg
>
> --- In MouthpieceWork@y..., "Toby" <kymarto@y...> wrote:
> >   I would guess that this is influenced by the length and shape of
> the facing curve.
> >
> >   Toby
>
>
>                    Yahoo! Groups Sponsor

                         ADVERTISEMENT

                                                             [Image]

             [Image]

>
> Got a Mouthpiece Work question?  Send it to
> MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com
>
> Visit the site at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MouthpieceWork to see
> the Files, Photos and Bookmarks relating to Mouthpiece Work.
>
> To see and modify your groups, go to http://groups.yahoo.com/mygroups
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.

--
Link to Paul's articles from Home page of "Sax on the Web":

  http://www.saxontheweb.net

or directly to Paul's articles at:

  http://www.saxontheweb.net/Coats/

Listen to Paul's MP3's at:

                http://briefcase.yahoo.com/tenorman1952

and view photos.
FROM: (Bootman)
SUBJECT: Re: Standard Sizing Reference
It has defintiely been my experience that some mpcs are reed picky, others
play with almost any reed. The thing is to find which mpc plays best with
which brand of reed. Lawtons tend to like La Voz.
Later
God Bless
Bootman
Richard Booth
www.bootmanmusic.com

  -----Original Message-----
  From: Paul Coats [mailto:tenorman@...]
  Sent: Thursday, 31 October 2002 4:37 AM
  To: MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com
  Subject: Re: [MouthpieceWork] Re: Standard Sizing Reference


  While I have not made measurements, I do know that this is exactly why
some mouthpieces work better with some reeds than others.
  Paul

  "Gregg W. Jackson" wrote:

     I agree. Has anyone measured reed profiles that way that some folks
    have measured facings? If so, has anyone attempted to correlate
    mouthpiece facing curves to reed facing curves.
    This might explain why some reeds play better on some mouthpieces
    than others do and vice versa.

    Gregg

    --- In MouthpieceWork@y..., "Toby" <kymarto@y...> wrote:
    >   I would guess that this is influenced by the length and shape of
    the facing curve.
    >
    >   Toby



    Got a Mouthpiece Work question?  Send it to
MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com

    Visit the site at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MouthpieceWork to see
the Files, Photos and Bookmarks relating to Mouthpiece Work.

    To see and modify your groups, go to http://groups.yahoo.com/mygroups

    Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.

  --
  Link to Paul's articles from Home page of "Sax on the Web":

    http://www.saxontheweb.net

  or directly to Paul's articles at:

    http://www.saxontheweb.net/Coats/

  Listen to Paul's MP3's at:

                  http://briefcase.yahoo.com/tenorman1952

  and view photos.
FROM: (Bootman)
SUBJECT: Re: Standard Sizing Reference
A great it is too Mike, thanks for doing this.
Later
God Bless
Bootman
Richard Booth
www.bootmanmusic.com

-----Original Message-----
From: Mike Ruhl [mailto:mikeruhl@...]
Sent: Thursday, 31 October 2002 2:43 AM
To: MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [MouthpieceWork] Re: Standard Sizing Reference


Danny, down in the "links" section of the Reed Drilling page Bootman
mentioned, there are several links to diagrams that describe how to tweak
reeds to achieve specific results.

I maintain that page, btw.  I slapped it together about a year ago, with
Bootman's permission.

Mike R.


>From: "Bootman" <rbooth@...>
>Reply-To: MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com
>To: <MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com>
>Subject: RE: [MouthpieceWork] Re: Standard Sizing Reference
>Date: Wed, 30 Oct 2002 21:29:43 +1100
>
>Check out http://www.geocities.com/reed_drilling/
>It should answer the questions pretty well.
>Later
>God Bless
>Bootman
>Richard Booth
>www.bootmanmusic.com
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Danny Barrett [mailto:danny_tb@...]
>Sent: Wednesday, 30 October 2002 9:27 PM
>To: MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: [MouthpieceWork] Re: Standard Sizing Reference
>
>
>Thanks for the advice, but the problem seems to be more at the tip of
>the reed - unless you're saying to drill hard reeds to make them
>easier to play?
>
>--- In MouthpieceWork@y..., "Bootman" <rbooth@b...> wrote:
> > You could try drilling the reeds, this works very well.
> > Later
> > God Bless
> > Bootman
> > Richard Booth
> > www.bootmanmusic.com
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Danny Barrett [mailto:danny_tb@y...]
> > Sent: Wednesday, 30 October 2002 6:56 PM
> > To: MouthpieceWork@y...
> > Subject: [MouthpieceWork] Re: Standard Sizing Reference
> >
> >
> > I second everything you've said there. I've come to the point where
> > I'm seriously considering buying reeds that are far too hard for me
> > (like Rico 5 or similar), and sanding their undersurfaces until I
>can
> > then play them. At least then I'll know that if they end up too
>soft,
> > it's my own fault.
> >
> > At the moment, myself and a couple of friends are getting all sorts
> > of things - Rico 3.5's that feel like Rico 1.5's, Rico 3.5's that
> > feel like Rico 4's, etc, etc, etc... One guy has just figured out
> > that one of the alto sax reeds he got was actually an alto clarinet
> > reed! The funny thing about it is that it was one of the best reeds
> > he's ever had!
> >
> > All I can say is that they don't make 'em like they used to...
> >
> > DB
> >
> >
> > --- In MouthpieceWork@y..., "Gregg W. Jackson" <gwjackson@y...>
>wrote:
> > > I've found charts at the Rico web site and the International Music
> > > Suppliers web site. Vandoren has a chart on a playing card size
> > piece
> > > of plastic. I think that someone, maybe Saxfoonwinkel, has put a
> > copy
> > > of this chart on the web. None of these charts agree with each
> > other
> > > or with my own experience.
> > >
> > > The effective strength of a reed seems to be influenced by their
> > > physical history (how they were stored, prepared, and played), the
> > > player (embouchure and breath support), and the characteristics of
> > > the mouthpiece (tip openig, facing, and chamber profile). I have
> > been
> > > keeping records of reeds and mouthpieces and have found a few
>cases
> > > where a Brand A reed of strenght x plays harder than a Brand B
>reed
> > > of strength y on one mouthpiece and softer on another.
> > >
> > > Gregg
> > >
> > > --- In MouthpieceWork@y..., "Toby" <kymarto@y...> wrote:
> > > > What I've read is that reed maufacturers just test the flex
> > > resistance of reeds to classify their strength. There doesn't seem
> > to
> > > be any standard other than that. And AFAIK there is no concurrence
> > > between different manufactureres as to what the numbers are
> > supposed
> > > to signify.
> >
> >
> >
> > Got a Mouthpiece Work question?  Send it to MouthpieceWork@y...
> >
> > Visit the site at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MouthpieceWork to
>see the
> > Files, Photos and Bookmarks relating to Mouthpiece Work.
> >
> > To see and modify your groups, go to
>http://groups.yahoo.com/mygroups
> >
> > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
>http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
>
>Got a Mouthpiece Work question?  Send it to MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com
>
>Visit the site at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MouthpieceWork to see the
>Files, Photos and Bookmarks relating to Mouthpiece Work.
>
>To see and modify your groups, go to http://groups.yahoo.com/mygroups
>
>Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
>
>
>
>Got a Mouthpiece Work question?  Send it to MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com
>
>Visit the site at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MouthpieceWork to see the
>Files, Photos and Bookmarks relating to Mouthpiece Work.
>
>To see and modify your groups, go to http://groups.yahoo.com/mygroups
>
>Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/


_________________________________________________________________
Surf the Web without missing calls!�Get MSN Broadband.
http://resourcecenter.msn.com/access/plans/freeactivation.asp



Got a Mouthpiece Work question?  Send it to MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com

Visit the site at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MouthpieceWork to see the
Files, Photos and Bookmarks relating to Mouthpiece Work.

To see and modify your groups, go to http://groups.yahoo.com/mygroups

Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
FROM: mikeruhl (Mike Ruhl)
SUBJECT: Re: Standard Sizing Reference
Paul,

Would you say there is any "general" guideline to matching reed cuts to 
mouthpieces.

For example, is it a reasonable assumption to say that a mpc with a short 
facing curve will favor reeds with a shorter vamp cut?

Mike



>From: Paul Coats <tenorman@...>
>Reply-To: MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com
>To: MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: Re: [MouthpieceWork] Re: Standard Sizing Reference
>Date: Wed, 30 Oct 2002 11:37:04 -0600
>
>While I have not made measurements, I do know that this is exactly why
>some mouthpieces work better with some reeds than others.
>
>Paul
>
>"Gregg W. Jackson" wrote:
>
> >  I agree. Has anyone measured reed profiles that way that some folks
> > have measured facings? If so, has anyone attempted to correlate
> > mouthpiece facing curves to reed facing curves.
> >
> > This might explain why some reeds play better on some mouthpieces
> > than others do and vice versa.
> >
> > Gregg
> >
> > --- In MouthpieceWork@y..., "Toby" <kymarto@y...> wrote:
> > >   I would guess that this is influenced by the length and shape of
> > the facing curve.
> > >
> > >   Toby
> >
> >
> >                    Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
>
>                          ADVERTISEMENT
>
>                                                              [Image]
>
>              [Image]
>
> >
> > Got a Mouthpiece Work question?  Send it to
> > MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com
> >
> > Visit the site at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MouthpieceWork to see
> > the Files, Photos and Bookmarks relating to Mouthpiece Work.
> >
> > To see and modify your groups, go to http://groups.yahoo.com/mygroups
> >
> > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
>
>--
>Link to Paul's articles from Home page of "Sax on the Web":
>
>   http://www.saxontheweb.net
>
>or directly to Paul's articles at:
>
>   http://www.saxontheweb.net/Coats/
>
>Listen to Paul's MP3's at:
>
>                 http://briefcase.yahoo.com/tenorman1952
>
>and view photos.
>


_________________________________________________________________
Get a speedy connection with MSN Broadband.� Join now! 
http://resourcecenter.msn.com/access/plans/freeactivation.asp
FROM: kwbradbury (Keith Bradbury)
SUBJECT: Re: Standard Sizing Reference
I'd say a long facing curve needs a long reed cut (or some scraping or a
hole drilled).  A short facing could probably work with a long or short
reed cut depending on how the cut tapers.

__________________________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
HotJobs - Search new jobs daily now
http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/
FROM: tenorman1952 (Paul Coats)
SUBJECT: Re: Standard Sizing Reference
That I just don't know.  It depends on what the player is looking for, and how a particular reed acts on a particular facing.

One thing I have seen... two different mouthpieces with identical facing... but the baffle is shaped differently.  And with the exact
same reed, one felt like it was a smaller tip opening, and had less resistance.  You could barely see a difference in the baffle
contour, yet there was a big difference in playing.

Paul

Mike Ruhl wrote:

> Paul,
>
> Would you say there is any "general" guideline to matching reed cuts to
> mouthpieces.
>
> For example, is it a reasonable assumption to say that a mpc with a short
> facing curve will favor reeds with a shorter vamp cut?
>
> Mike
>
> >From: Paul Coats <tenorman@...>
> >Reply-To: MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com
> >To: MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com
> >Subject: Re: [MouthpieceWork] Re: Standard Sizing Reference
> >Date: Wed, 30 Oct 2002 11:37:04 -0600
> >
> >While I have not made measurements, I do know that this is exactly why
> >some mouthpieces work better with some reeds than others.
> >
> >Paul
> >
> >"Gregg W. Jackson" wrote:
> >
> > >  I agree. Has anyone measured reed profiles that way that some folks
> > > have measured facings? If so, has anyone attempted to correlate
> > > mouthpiece facing curves to reed facing curves.
> > >
> > > This might explain why some reeds play better on some mouthpieces
> > > than others do and vice versa.
> > >
> > > Gregg
> > >
> > > --- In MouthpieceWork@y..., "Toby" <kymarto@y...> wrote:
> > > >   I would guess that this is influenced by the length and shape of
> > > the facing curve.
> > > >
> > > >   Toby
> > >
> > >
> > >                    Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
> >
> >                          ADVERTISEMENT
> >
> >                                                              [Image]
> >
> >              [Image]
> >
> > >
> > > Got a Mouthpiece Work question?  Send it to
> > > MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com
> > >
> > > Visit the site at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MouthpieceWork to see
> > > the Files, Photos and Bookmarks relating to Mouthpiece Work.
> > >
> > > To see and modify your groups, go to http://groups.yahoo.com/mygroups
> > >
> > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
> >
> >--
> >Link to Paul's articles from Home page of "Sax on the Web":
> >
> >   http://www.saxontheweb.net
> >
> >or directly to Paul's articles at:
> >
> >   http://www.saxontheweb.net/Coats/
> >
> >Listen to Paul's MP3's at:
> >
> >                 http://briefcase.yahoo.com/tenorman1952
> >
> >and view photos.
> >
>
> _________________________________________________________________
> Get a speedy connection with MSN Broadband.  Join now!
> http://resourcecenter.msn.com/access/plans/freeactivation.asp
>
>
> Got a Mouthpiece Work question?  Send it to MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com
>
> Visit the site at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MouthpieceWork to see the Files, Photos and Bookmarks relating to Mouthpiece Work.
>
> To see and modify your groups, go to http://groups.yahoo.com/mygroups
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

--
Link to Paul's articles from Home page of "Sax on the Web":

  http://www.saxontheweb.net

or directly to Paul's articles at:

  http://www.saxontheweb.net/Coats/

Listen to Paul's MP3's at:

                http://briefcase.yahoo.com/tenorman1952

and view photos.
FROM: danny_tb (Danny Barrett)
SUBJECT: Re: Standard Sizing Reference
Thanks for that. I saw it recently, but since I don't have a drill 
press, I guess that's not really an option...
:-(

DB

--- In MouthpieceWork@y..., "Bootman" <rbooth@b...> wrote:
> Check out http://www.geocities.com/reed_drilling/
> It should answer the questions pretty well.
> Later
> God Bless
> Bootman
> Richard Booth
> www.bootmanmusic.com
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Danny Barrett [mailto:danny_tb@y...]
> Sent: Wednesday, 30 October 2002 9:27 PM
> To: MouthpieceWork@y...
> Subject: [MouthpieceWork] Re: Standard Sizing Reference
> 
> 
> Thanks for the advice, but the problem seems to be more at the tip 
of
> the reed - unless you're saying to drill hard reeds to make them
> easier to play?
> 
> --- In MouthpieceWork@y..., "Bootman" <rbooth@b...> wrote:
> > You could try drilling the reeds, this works very well.
> > Later
> > God Bless
> > Bootman
> > Richard Booth
> > www.bootmanmusic.com
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Danny Barrett [mailto:danny_tb@y...]
> > Sent: Wednesday, 30 October 2002 6:56 PM
> > To: MouthpieceWork@y...
> > Subject: [MouthpieceWork] Re: Standard Sizing Reference
> >
> >
> > I second everything you've said there. I've come to the point 
where
> > I'm seriously considering buying reeds that are far too hard for 
me
> > (like Rico 5 or similar), and sanding their undersurfaces until I
> can
> > then play them. At least then I'll know that if they end up too
> soft,
> > it's my own fault.
> >
> > At the moment, myself and a couple of friends are getting all 
sorts
> > of things - Rico 3.5's that feel like Rico 1.5's, Rico 3.5's that
> > feel like Rico 4's, etc, etc, etc... One guy has just figured out
> > that one of the alto sax reeds he got was actually an alto 
clarinet
> > reed! The funny thing about it is that it was one of the best 
reeds
> > he's ever had!
> >
> > All I can say is that they don't make 'em like they used to...
> >
> > DB
> >
> >
> > --- In MouthpieceWork@y..., "Gregg W. Jackson" <gwjackson@y...>
> wrote:
> > > I've found charts at the Rico web site and the International 
Music
> > > Suppliers web site. Vandoren has a chart on a playing card size
> > piece
> > > of plastic. I think that someone, maybe Saxfoonwinkel, has put a
> > copy
> > > of this chart on the web. None of these charts agree with each
> > other
> > > or with my own experience.
> > >
> > > The effective strength of a reed seems to be influenced by their
> > > physical history (how they were stored, prepared, and played), 
the
> > > player (embouchure and breath support), and the characteristics 
of
> > > the mouthpiece (tip openig, facing, and chamber profile). I have
> > been
> > > keeping records of reeds and mouthpieces and have found a few
> cases
> > > where a Brand A reed of strenght x plays harder than a Brand B
> reed
> > > of strength y on one mouthpiece and softer on another.
> > >
> > > Gregg
> > >
> > > --- In MouthpieceWork@y..., "Toby" <kymarto@y...> wrote:
> > > > What I've read is that reed maufacturers just test the flex
> > > resistance of reeds to classify their strength. There doesn't 
seem
> > to
> > > be any standard other than that. And AFAIK there is no 
concurrence
> > > between different manufactureres as to what the numbers are
> > supposed
> > > to signify.
> >
> >
> >
> > Got a Mouthpiece Work question?  Send it to MouthpieceWork@y...
> >
> > Visit the site at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MouthpieceWork to
> see the
> > Files, Photos and Bookmarks relating to Mouthpiece Work.
> >
> > To see and modify your groups, go to
> http://groups.yahoo.com/mygroups
> >
> > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
> http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
> 
> 
> 
> Got a Mouthpiece Work question?  Send it to MouthpieceWork@y...
> 
> Visit the site at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MouthpieceWork to 
see the
> Files, Photos and Bookmarks relating to Mouthpiece Work.
> 
> To see and modify your groups, go to 
http://groups.yahoo.com/mygroups
> 
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to 
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
FROM: danny_tb (Danny Barrett)
SUBJECT: Re: Standard Sizing Reference
Yes, thanks for that. I have a copy of the book from which the most 
common diagram seems to have come from. The only thing is that the 
main problem that is being experienced down here is that of a reed 
being too soft. Unfortunately, the only reed cutter that I've managed 
to get a price for was far more expensive than I can afford, so I 
have to make do with them being too soft at times (or go hard, and 
soften them myself).

Thanks all the same.

Danny

--- In MouthpieceWork@y..., "Mike Ruhl" <mikeruhl@h...> wrote:
> Danny, down in the "links" section of the Reed Drilling page 
Bootman 
> mentioned, there are several links to diagrams that describe how to 
tweak 
> reeds to achieve specific results.
> 
> I maintain that page, btw.  I slapped it together about a year ago, 
with 
> Bootman's permission.
> 
> Mike R.
> 
> 
> >From: "Bootman" <rbooth@b...>
> >Reply-To: MouthpieceWork@y...
> >To: <MouthpieceWork@y...>
> >Subject: RE: [MouthpieceWork] Re: Standard Sizing Reference
> >Date: Wed, 30 Oct 2002 21:29:43 +1100
> >
> >Check out http://www.geocities.com/reed_drilling/
> >It should answer the questions pretty well.
> >Later
> >God Bless
> >Bootman
> >Richard Booth
> >www.bootmanmusic.com
> >
> >-----Original Message-----
> >From: Danny Barrett [mailto:danny_tb@y...]
> >Sent: Wednesday, 30 October 2002 9:27 PM
> >To: MouthpieceWork@y...
> >Subject: [MouthpieceWork] Re: Standard Sizing Reference
> >
> >
> >Thanks for the advice, but the problem seems to be more at the tip 
of
> >the reed - unless you're saying to drill hard reeds to make them
> >easier to play?
> >
> >--- In MouthpieceWork@y..., "Bootman" <rbooth@b...> wrote:
> > > You could try drilling the reeds, this works very well.
> > > Later
> > > God Bless
> > > Bootman
> > > Richard Booth
> > > www.bootmanmusic.com
> > >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: Danny Barrett [mailto:danny_tb@y...]
> > > Sent: Wednesday, 30 October 2002 6:56 PM
> > > To: MouthpieceWork@y...
> > > Subject: [MouthpieceWork] Re: Standard Sizing Reference
> > >
> > >
> > > I second everything you've said there. I've come to the point 
where
> > > I'm seriously considering buying reeds that are far too hard 
for me
> > > (like Rico 5 or similar), and sanding their undersurfaces until 
I
> >can
> > > then play them. At least then I'll know that if they end up too
> >soft,
> > > it's my own fault.
> > >
> > > At the moment, myself and a couple of friends are getting all 
sorts
> > > of things - Rico 3.5's that feel like Rico 1.5's, Rico 3.5's 
that
> > > feel like Rico 4's, etc, etc, etc... One guy has just figured 
out
> > > that one of the alto sax reeds he got was actually an alto 
clarinet
> > > reed! The funny thing about it is that it was one of the best 
reeds
> > > he's ever had!
> > >
> > > All I can say is that they don't make 'em like they used to...
> > >
> > > DB
> > >
> > >
> > > --- In MouthpieceWork@y..., "Gregg W. Jackson" <gwjackson@y...>
> >wrote:
> > > > I've found charts at the Rico web site and the International 
Music
> > > > Suppliers web site. Vandoren has a chart on a playing card 
size
> > > piece
> > > > of plastic. I think that someone, maybe Saxfoonwinkel, has 
put a
> > > copy
> > > > of this chart on the web. None of these charts agree with each
> > > other
> > > > or with my own experience.
> > > >
> > > > The effective strength of a reed seems to be influenced by 
their
> > > > physical history (how they were stored, prepared, and 
played), the
> > > > player (embouchure and breath support), and the 
characteristics of
> > > > the mouthpiece (tip openig, facing, and chamber profile). I 
have
> > > been
> > > > keeping records of reeds and mouthpieces and have found a few
> >cases
> > > > where a Brand A reed of strenght x plays harder than a Brand B
> >reed
> > > > of strength y on one mouthpiece and softer on another.
> > > >
> > > > Gregg
> > > >
> > > > --- In MouthpieceWork@y..., "Toby" <kymarto@y...> wrote:
> > > > > What I've read is that reed maufacturers just test the flex
> > > > resistance of reeds to classify their strength. There doesn't 
seem
> > > to
> > > > be any standard other than that. And AFAIK there is no 
concurrence
> > > > between different manufactureres as to what the numbers are
> > > supposed
> > > > to signify.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Got a Mouthpiece Work question?  Send it to MouthpieceWork@y...
> > >
> > > Visit the site at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MouthpieceWork 
to
> >see the
> > > Files, Photos and Bookmarks relating to Mouthpiece Work.
> > >
> > > To see and modify your groups, go to
> >http://groups.yahoo.com/mygroups
> > >
> > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
> >http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
> >
> >
> >
> >Got a Mouthpiece Work question?  Send it to MouthpieceWork@y...
> >
> >Visit the site at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MouthpieceWork to 
see the
> >Files, Photos and Bookmarks relating to Mouthpiece Work.
> >
> >To see and modify your groups, go to 
http://groups.yahoo.com/mygroups
> >
> >Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to 
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >Got a Mouthpiece Work question?  Send it to MouthpieceWork@y...
> >
> >Visit the site at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MouthpieceWork to 
see the 
> >Files, Photos and Bookmarks relating to Mouthpiece Work.
> >
> >To see and modify your groups, go to 
http://groups.yahoo.com/mygroups
> >
> >Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to 
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
> 
> 
> _________________________________________________________________
> Surf the Web without missing calls! Get MSN Broadband.  
> http://resourcecenter.msn.com/access/plans/freeactivation.asp
FROM: danny_tb (Danny Barrett)
SUBJECT: Re: Standard Sizing Reference
I think you've hit the spot there. Also, it is likely to depend on 
the player too. Personally, I seem to need a reed with a slightly 
thinner heart, and thicker tip, so that the reed curves around the 
facing properly (and relatively easily - otherwise my high G and G# 
tend to underblow, and sound awful, or my chops end up like minced 
meat), while still being fairly hard, so that I don't sound too 
buzzy. But I'm not about to start going to that level of modification 
to reeds just yet (I'm likely to stuff things up more than fix 
them)...

DB

--- In MouthpieceWork@y..., "Gregg W. Jackson" <gwjackson@y...> wrote:
> I agree. Has anyone measured reed profiles that way that some folks 
> have measured facings? If so, has anyone attempted to correlate 
> mouthpiece facing curves to reed facing curves.
> 
> This might explain why some reeds play better on some mouthpieces 
> than others do and vice versa.
> 
> Gregg
> 
> --- In MouthpieceWork@y..., "Toby" <kymarto@y...> wrote:
> >   I would guess that this is influenced by the length and shape 
of 
> the facing curve. 
> > 
> >   Toby
FROM: danny_tb (Danny Barrett)
SUBJECT: Re: Standard Sizing Reference
The groove is across the reed I assume...(???)

I suppose if it's a good groove, I'll end up more likely to be in 
a "good groove"...
:-)

DB

--- In MouthpieceWork@y..., Paul Coats <tenorman@t...> wrote:
> Drilling reeds in this fashion seems to free up the reed to vibrate
> better.  Charpin brand reeds were made in this fashion.  I have also
> seen reeds in the past with a groove filed in this area.
> 
> Paul
> 
> Bootman wrote:
> 
> >  Check out http://www.geocities.com/reed_drilling/
> > It should answer the questions pretty well.
> > Later
> > God Bless
> > Bootman
> > Richard Booth
> > www.bootmanmusic.com
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Danny Barrett [mailto:danny_tb@y...]
> > Sent: Wednesday, 30 October 2002 9:27 PM
> > To: MouthpieceWork@y...
> > Subject: [MouthpieceWork] Re: Standard Sizing Reference
> >
> >
> > Thanks for the advice, but the problem seems to be more at the 
tip of
> > the reed - unless you're saying to drill hard reeds to make them
> > easier to play?
> >
> > --- In MouthpieceWork@y..., "Bootman" <rbooth@b...> wrote:
> > > You could try drilling the reeds, this works very well.
> > > Later
> > > God Bless
> > > Bootman
> > > Richard Booth
> > > www.bootmanmusic.com
> > >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: Danny Barrett [mailto:danny_tb@y...]
> > > Sent: Wednesday, 30 October 2002 6:56 PM
> > > To: MouthpieceWork@y...
> > > Subject: [MouthpieceWork] Re: Standard Sizing Reference
> > >
> > >
> > > I second everything you've said there. I've come to the point 
where
> > > I'm seriously considering buying reeds that are far too hard 
for me
> > > (like Rico 5 or similar), and sanding their undersurfaces until 
I
> > can
> > > then play them. At least then I'll know that if they end up too
> > soft,
> > > it's my own fault.
> > >
> > > At the moment, myself and a couple of friends are getting all 
sorts
> > > of things - Rico 3.5's that feel like Rico 1.5's, Rico 3.5's 
that
> > > feel like Rico 4's, etc, etc, etc... One guy has just figured 
out
> > > that one of the alto sax reeds he got was actually an alto 
clarinet
> > > reed! The funny thing about it is that it was one of the best 
reeds
> > > he's ever had!
> > >
> > > All I can say is that they don't make 'em like they used to...
> > >
> > > DB
> > >
> > >
> > > --- In MouthpieceWork@y..., "Gregg W. Jackson" <gwjackson@y...>
> > wrote:
> > > > I've found charts at the Rico web site and the International 
Music
> >
> > > > Suppliers web site. Vandoren has a chart on a playing card 
size
> > > piece
> > > > of plastic. I think that someone, maybe Saxfoonwinkel, has 
put a
> > > copy
> > > > of this chart on the web. None of these charts agree with each
> > > other
> > > > or with my own experience.
> > > >
> > > > The effective strength of a reed seems to be influenced by 
their
> > > > physical history (how they were stored, prepared, and 
played), the
> >
> > > > player (embouchure and breath support), and the 
characteristics of
> >
> > > > the mouthpiece (tip openig, facing, and chamber profile). I 
have
> > > been
> > > > keeping records of reeds and mouthpieces and have found a few
> > cases
> > > > where a Brand A reed of strenght x plays harder than a Brand B
> > reed
> > > > of strength y on one mouthpiece and softer on another.
> > > >
> > > > Gregg
> > > >
> > > > --- In MouthpieceWork@y..., "Toby" <kymarto@y...> wrote:
> > > > > What I've read is that reed maufacturers just test the flex
> > > > resistance of reeds to classify their strength. There doesn't 
seem
> >
> > > to
> > > > be any standard other than that. And AFAIK there is no 
concurrence
> >
> > > > between different manufactureres as to what the numbers are
> > > supposed
> > > > to signify.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Got a Mouthpiece Work question?  Send it to MouthpieceWork@y...
> > >
> > > Visit the site at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MouthpieceWork 
to
> > see the
> > > Files, Photos and Bookmarks relating to Mouthpiece Work.
> > >
> > > To see and modify your groups, go to
> > http://groups.yahoo.com/mygroups
> > >
> > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
> > http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
> >
> >
> >
> > Got a Mouthpiece Work question?  Send it to
> > MouthpieceWork@y...
> >
> > Visit the site at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MouthpieceWork to 
see
> > the
> > Files, Photos and Bookmarks relating to Mouthpiece Work.
> >
> > To see and modify your groups, go to 
http://groups.yahoo.com/mygroups
> >
> > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
> > http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >                    Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
> 
>                          ADVERTISEMENT
> 
>                                                              [Image]
> 
>              [Image]
> 
> >
> > Got a Mouthpiece Work question?  Send it to
> > MouthpieceWork@y...
> >
> > Visit the site at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MouthpieceWork to 
see
> > the Files, Photos and Bookmarks relating to Mouthpiece Work.
> >
> > To see and modify your groups, go to 
http://groups.yahoo.com/mygroups
> >
> > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of 
Service.
> 
> --
> Link to Paul's articles from Home page of "Sax on the Web":
> 
>   http://www.saxontheweb.net
> 
> or directly to Paul's articles at:
> 
>   http://www.saxontheweb.net/Coats/
> 
> Listen to Paul's MP3's at:
> 
>                 http://briefcase.yahoo.com/tenorman1952
> 
> and view photos.