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I never obsess about reeds. horns maybe somewhat, mouthpieces too. but never reeds... I usually settle on one brand/type/hardness and stick with it for "eons" before making a change (usually brought on by going to different mouthpiece or horn).
So the other day, I bought a box of Java "Reds" and started working my way through them. i usually practice on them two or three times. diddle with them (maybe a quick polish/scrape) yada...Done. Ready for the gig.
Well a coupla days ago, in the middle of my practice session, i opened a new reed to start the break-in process. I wetted the reed briefly, stuck the reed on the mpc... BAM! This reed was like twice as loud as every other reed i've played since i can remember... ***?
Long story short, i swapped back and forth with other reeds... nothing came close. This thing was louder, played better, sounded waay better for my style (blues, soul jazz, etc).
So i just packed it for the gig and played it all nite long.
Anybody ever experience this much of a variation in a set of reeds. How can this be? most every other Java i've played has been basically consistent and relatively satisfactory.
I've had similar happen on rare occasion and I've husbanded that magic reed, sometimes for months, only to conclude after its demise that it must have all been a dream.
This time i can't deny it... but I have no idea why this reed is so outstanding and more important to me, I have no idea how to duplicate it. Perhaps as someone suggested in a recent thread, I should just consider myself lucky and enjoy it while it lasts.
So the other day, I bought a box of Java "Reds" and started working my way through them. i usually practice on them two or three times. diddle with them (maybe a quick polish/scrape) yada...Done. Ready for the gig.
Well a coupla days ago, in the middle of my practice session, i opened a new reed to start the break-in process. I wetted the reed briefly, stuck the reed on the mpc... BAM! This reed was like twice as loud as every other reed i've played since i can remember... ***?
Long story short, i swapped back and forth with other reeds... nothing came close. This thing was louder, played better, sounded waay better for my style (blues, soul jazz, etc).
So i just packed it for the gig and played it all nite long.
Anybody ever experience this much of a variation in a set of reeds. How can this be? most every other Java i've played has been basically consistent and relatively satisfactory.
I've had similar happen on rare occasion and I've husbanded that magic reed, sometimes for months, only to conclude after its demise that it must have all been a dream.
This time i can't deny it... but I have no idea why this reed is so outstanding and more important to me, I have no idea how to duplicate it. Perhaps as someone suggested in a recent thread, I should just consider myself lucky and enjoy it while it lasts.