Ridenour ATG Reed Finishing System

[xraydog]

I purchased this system over a year ago. It sat on a shelf unused because I decided to switch to sythetic reeds to get some consistency with reeds. I took it out the other day and watched the video and gave it a whirl.

All I can say is WOW!! Now I feel like a complete idiot for not trying it sooner. In my first session I was able to make multiple absolutely amazing playing reeds out of duds. It even works great on synthetic reeds (fibercell).

Once I was able to adjust the reed to the mouthpiece, I found most of my mouthpiece issues were also solved. Boy, I could have save a lot of time and money if I started using the system the first day I got it.

With prices approaching $2 per reed I think this is even more valuable. The tools are simple and so is the approach. I think the video that comes with the system alone is worth the price.

You can find more info at Tom Ridenour's Web site:
http://www.ridenourclarinetproducts.com/

He is very responsive to any questions. Good Luck

XRAYDOG

P.S. If you purchase the system, try and do it through Tom directly. There have been some "issues" with Woodwind and Brasswind Co according to Mr. Ridenour. He can elaborate further on this.

[Al Stevens]

You can find more info at Tom Ridenour's Web site:
http://www.ridenourclarinetproducts.com/

I feel like picking nits this morning.

That website needs work. The link to his video example is broken. Instead of a video you get, "Our records show that the account you're attempting to connect to either does not exist or is currently inactive," which reflects badly on the merchant. His link to Paypal reports that, "rcproducts@att.net is NOT PayPal Verified," which does likewise, after which the pages do not fill in the appropriate data to make the purchase, something that is quite easy to effect.

His Ordering Information page does not include product selection so you can specify what you want to order.

The site also has numerous bad links and punctuation, grammatical and spelling errors.

Other than that, it's a great website. :)

[tjontheroad]

The correct paypal address is sales@ridenourclarinetproducts.com according to the contact page.

[Al Stevens]

The correct paypal address is sales@ridenourclarinetproducts.com according to the contact page.
He should fix his links accordingly. Online sellers sell a lot more product when they grease the skids to make it effortless to make a click-click purchase. E-Commerce 101.

[tjontheroad]

Absolutely. I'm sure he's loosing plenty of sales without him knowing. I was thinking of ordering the clarinet thumb rest. His products are worth while.

Anyway, this thread has the feel of Groundhog's Day...

http://www.wavsite.com/store/Photo/Full/groundhog01.jpg

[saxmanglen]

Absolutely. I'm sure he's loosing plenty of sales without him knowing. I was thinking of ordering the clarinet thumb rest.

TJ,

You may want to look at some of the Ton Kooiman thumb hooks for clarinet too.

http://www.drdowningmusic.com/images/Clarinet/Kooiman/Kooinan_thumbrest.jpghttp://images.music123.com/products/full/Ton%20Kooiman/KOOIMAN_2.jpg

I had broken my right thumb when I was young and this contraption takes all the stress off the joint.

[tjontheroad]

TJ,

You may want to look at some of the Ton Kooiman thumb hooks for clarinet too.

http://www.drdowningmusic.com/images/Clarinet/Kooiman/Kooinan_thumbrest.jpghttp://images.music123.com/products/full/Ton%20Kooiman/KOOIMAN_2.jpg

I had broken my right thumb when I was young and this contraption takes all the stress off the joint.

The Etude came with my E11 I bought used this year and I don't like it. The pro model cost more than what I'd be willing to pay. I don't play it to often.

[saxmanglen]

The Etude came with my E11 I bought used this year and I don't like it. The pro model cost more than what I'd be willing to pay. I don't play it to often.

I ended up getting the pro model a couple of years ago on eBay. I think I got it for around $100. It's much more flexible as far as adjustment.

[tjontheroad]

I ended up getting the pro model a couple of years ago on eBay. I think I got it for around $100. It's much more flexible as far as adjustment.

Thanks, I'll keep an ebay search going :)

[xraydog]

I feel like picking nits this morning.

That website needs work. The link to his video example is broken. Instead of a video you get, "Our records show that the account you're attempting to connect to either does not exist or is currently inactive," which reflects badly on the merchant. His link to Paypal reports that, "rcproducts@att.net is NOT PayPal Verified," which does likewise, after which the pages do not fill in the appropriate data to make the purchase, something that is quite easy to effect.

His Ordering Information page does not include product selection so you can specify what you want to order.

The site also has numerous bad links and punctuation, grammatical and spelling errors.

Other than that, it's a great website. :)
Al,

All good points. Have you nit picked with Ridenour?

He may have good products, but, not so good e-marketing skills.

If he is interested in growing his business, I think he would appreciate your comments.

xraydog

[Al Stevens]

Al,
All good points. Have you nit picked with Ridenour?

No, I don't know him. Does he hang out here? If so, he'll read the comments.

[musochik]

With prices approaching $2 per reed I think this is even more valuable.

*sigh* i wish reeds were only $2... we can pay up to $5 per alto reed here in oz... even buying online doesn't do much to help.. *sigh* ah well

[Bub99]

Back in '86 Tom lived near Altamonte Springs, FL. I went over to his house and he made me a Soprano mouthpiece while I sat there and watched. It is a good one and is the only one I've ever owned.

[ZephyrSax]

P.S. If you purchase the system, try and do it through Tom directly. There have been some "issues" with Woodwind and Brasswind Co according to Mr. Ridenour. He can elaborate further on this.

Goody. Just when my folks went and ordered one... :shock: ...:cry:

On that note, it has been delayed for a while.

[Agent27]

I got one from Christmas (they ordered it directly from Tom). I've been getting pretty good results so far.

[GAS_Wyo]

I got one from Christmas (they ordered it directly from Tom). I've been getting pretty good results so far.
What items actually come in the kit? I can see a book, a DVD and a little box in the photo with a reed trimmer and some sand paper? The box contains? maybe a whetstone? I have a couple of perfectly flat whetstones for sharpening knives already. Plus I have a great reed knife and other stuff from my bassoon playing days.

So what do I get in the kit? I'm willing to pay the $75 to Tom, but I would just like to know before I pay. Thanks.

[magical pig]

It was my understanding that what you pay for is not so much what comes with the kit materially but rather the information in the book and dvd.

Victor.

[BlueTrane2028]

It's a glorified sanding block. The paper comes unstuck from it far too easy, and I've never found replacement sheets locally. I find that all to add up to a pain in the rear. You can copy this with a block of wood for much less.

[Canadiain]

What items actually come in the kit? I can see a book, a DVD and a little box in the photo with a reed trimmer and some sand paper? The box contains? maybe a whetstone? I have a couple of perfectly flat whetstones for sharpening knives already. Plus I have a great reed knife and other stuff from my bassoon playing days.

So what do I get in the kit? I'm willing to pay the $75 to Tom, but I would just like to know before I pay. Thanks.

Flat Glass plate (in plastic case)
Specially shaped sanding block...designed so as not to damage the tip of the reed
Wet/ dry sandpaper to fit block in a couple of different grit sizes

THE VIDEO and PRINTED INFORMATION TO SHOW YOU WHAT TO DO WITH THE ABOVE

The last thing is what you are really paying for. If you are happy with a reed knife etc to make adjustments and know what you are trying to do, then you might not learn a lot, but I came to the ATG system as a total clutz, and it's saved me many reeds over the year or more I've had it.

I had no problem cutting locally sourced SiC paper (from the local auto store) to size and sticking it on to the block with double sided tape. Never had a problem with it coming unstuck either.

For me the ATG I bought here from a SOTWer was money well spent.

[Agent27]

So what do I get in the kit? I'm willing to pay the $75 to Tom, but I would just like to know before I pay. Thanks.

Book
DVD
Glass Finishing Surface
Reed Finishing Tool (wood block elevated in the middle by a foam adhesive)
Several squares of 2 different grades of sandpaper
Rubber Band used for keeping the sandpaper on the block

(I've never had a problem with the paper coming unstuck from the block and I can't imagine not being able to find the right wet-dry sandpaper when you eventually need replacements.)

That's it.

It was my understanding that what you pay for is not so much what comes with the kit materially but rather the information in the book and dvd.

Victor.

Yep. If somebody wanted to make an online How-To page, they could easily tell you how to construct the tools yourself and tell you Tom's finishing method. But I haven't seen anybody do this and when I've seen people on SOTW ask what the method entails, nobody is willing to give up information because that would completely undercut Tom. Most people I have seen on here love the system and as a result have a lot of respect for Tom and aren't going to attempt to ruin his business by spilling his secrets on the internet.

Thus far, in the 2 1/2 months I've been using it, my reeds have gotten more consistent and I haven't had to buy as many new packs. I actually have a few new boxes still in shrink wrap that have been sitting around for a few weeks. I bought them anticipating I would need new reeds soon but they've since remained untouched. That NEVER happens. I'm sure it will pay for itself eventually, probably less than a year. But more importantly, I can turn almost any reed into a good if not great player. No more saving certain reeds for gigs for me.