Reed resurfacing

[mlcy85]

i've been having problems with my reeds, i'm an alto player and recently i bought this box of alexander superial reeds and they're kinda hard... how do i go about thinning it? is sandpaper enough? will sanding spoil the reed? any help will be appreciated! ;)

[jazzbluescat]

Balance the rails or the side.
Look at the rails of the reed, one rail/edge/side will be thicker (than the other). Sand a little off the thicker rail, just a very little bit w/an emory board (it may or maynot have to look equal to the other rail/edge/side to be enough). Try the reed; still stiff? Sand a little more off, etc.