I noticed in a box of Alexander Superial alto reeds 4 out of 5 reed tip corners looked pretty fragile and brighter colour, almost like it's warped or dying, after a few times of playing just for few minutes in the breakin period. I keep them soaked in a sealed container with water alcohol mixture, so normally I don't see the usual moisture variation warping at all. I knew generally Superial tips are very fragile so I managed to return the reeds as defected because they were also chirping too.
I got a box of Rigotti Gold reeds and after a few times of playing in the breakin period I noticed the same situation for some of those reeds. Is it just the thin tip issue (Rigotti Gold Jazz 3M) or is there any systemic behaviour that you have seen before?
Could it be the mouthpiece? It is an alto Meyer between 5 and 6 tip opening (refaced). The affected corner area is as narrow as the side rail thickness so I'm wondering the high frequency of vibration and reed hitting the side rails cause this. But any mouthpiece rail has the same situation anyway so I don't know what could be different. Could it be the reed cases? I kept the Alexander reeds in the Vandoren individual plastic reed cases (pretty loose and non-invasive) and for Rigotti reeds inside the individual plastic reed cases that the Rigotti reeds come with. Those Rigotti reed cases seem to be pretty tight compared to other ones so I'm thinking that could be an issue. Anyone else has the same tendency with Rigotti reeds or any other reeds?
Could it be the alcohol water mixture? It is 30% almost pure ethanol alcohol and 70% water.
BTW, I don't put the cap on while the reed is on the mouthpiece. If I'm done playing for a while, I put the reed back in the case in the liquid to avoid moisture variation since Calgary is very dry.
I appreciate your comments.
I got a box of Rigotti Gold reeds and after a few times of playing in the breakin period I noticed the same situation for some of those reeds. Is it just the thin tip issue (Rigotti Gold Jazz 3M) or is there any systemic behaviour that you have seen before?
Could it be the mouthpiece? It is an alto Meyer between 5 and 6 tip opening (refaced). The affected corner area is as narrow as the side rail thickness so I'm wondering the high frequency of vibration and reed hitting the side rails cause this. But any mouthpiece rail has the same situation anyway so I don't know what could be different. Could it be the reed cases? I kept the Alexander reeds in the Vandoren individual plastic reed cases (pretty loose and non-invasive) and for Rigotti reeds inside the individual plastic reed cases that the Rigotti reeds come with. Those Rigotti reed cases seem to be pretty tight compared to other ones so I'm thinking that could be an issue. Anyone else has the same tendency with Rigotti reeds or any other reeds?
Could it be the alcohol water mixture? It is 30% almost pure ethanol alcohol and 70% water.
BTW, I don't put the cap on while the reed is on the mouthpiece. If I'm done playing for a while, I put the reed back in the case in the liquid to avoid moisture variation since Calgary is very dry.
I appreciate your comments.