[botahoratiu]

Hi. What do you think about my new reeds case design? It's transparent so that you can see the reeds clearly. The reeds fit snugly and they don't fall out when upside down.

 

[Figaro]

Nice bit of acrylic work there.

 

[SaxRat113]

Pretty good case, but my recommendation is keeping your reeds in a sealed environment with a humidifier pack made by Boveda. The consistent humidity helps the reeds last longer. Maybe put that reed case in a ziploc with the humidity pack! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004LHQEOY/ref=cm_sw_r_apa_i_pJZeFb6K06PZP

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[Bottle Opener]

Evidence?

 

[skeller047]

Seems like a standard D'Addario case would be just as cheap (unless you just like playing with acrylic). My concern would be keeping the reeds in those Vandoren holders which wont keep them flat.

One of these:
https://www.daddario.com/globalassets/inriver/resources/dw_drgrd4acpu_main_transparent.png/Large

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[Sigmund451]

Ive used those for years Skeller...they work for me. You can also disassemble them for an occasional cleaning.

 

[lydian]

Anybody remember these? I still have several which are at least 40 years old. Wish they still made 'em like this.

I agree those cheap plastic sleeves the reeds come in are good protection from breaking, but don't necessarily keep them flat. They're just not strong enough. The acrylic is a nice idea, but it won't keep them flat either. It basically just replaces the box. But I applaud you on the construction. Nice idea, and it looks great.

 

[JL]

Seems like a standard D'Addario case would be just as cheap (unless you just like playing with acrylic). My concern would be keeping the reeds in those Vandoren holders which wont keep them flat.

One of these:
https://www.daddario.com/globalassets/inriver/resources/dw_drgrd4acpu_main_transparent.png/Large

+1! The D'Addario case is the best reed case out there, imo. Simple and perfect design.

I still have one of those metal "ReedGard" cases that mdavej shows in his post above. It worked fine, but I prefer the D'Addario case, which can be cleaned. Can't get those ReedGard cases anymore? Maybe I should auction mine off!

 

[botahoratiu]

Seems like a standard D'Addario case would be just as cheap (unless you just like playing with acrylic). My concern would be keeping the reeds in those Vandoren holders which wont keep them flat.

One of these:
https://www.daddario.com/globalassets/inriver/resources/dw_drgrd4acpu_main_transparent.png/Large

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Thank you for your replies.
My point was to make it transparent, so that you can easly and quickly identify the reeds. And beside that, I enjoy playing with acrylic.
Why do you think the Vandoren holders don't make a good job keeping them flat?

 

[skeller047]

Thank you for your replies.
My point was to make it transparent, so that you can easly and quickly identify the reeds. And beside that, I enjoy playing with acrylic.
Why do you think the Vandoren holders don't make a good job keeping them flat?

The Vandoren holders don't hold the reed against a flat surface, they are just a packaging item to protect the reed from damage. The reeds will warp more easily if kept in the packaging holders.

A purpose built reed case will push the reed against a flat surface so that it dries flat between uses.

The D'Addario reed case has numbers on each slot, so you can keep track of the reeds.

If you want to keep playing with acrylic, thats fine, but lay the reeds flat against an acrylic plate (or a piece of glass) and hold them in place with a rubber band or an O-ring or a piece of elastic fabric or something. The put the flat piece inside your box to protect the reeds.

My favorite reed case is called the Reed Wallet, but it is no longer made. It holds 8 reeds, 4 per side, on a flat plastic surface with an elastic band; the plastic plate is attached to a folding "leatherette" case that snaps closed. The D'Addario case is a close second but only holds 4 reeds, and you cant see the vamp of the reed.

FWIW I have had bad luck with the cases that completely seal off from air circulation, some of them have a humidity control system. They turn my reeds moldy.

Hope this helps.

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[JL]

My point was to make it transparent, so that you can easly and quickly identify the reeds. And beside that, I enjoy playing with acrylic.
Why do you think the Vandoren holders don't make a good job keeping them flat?

You could switch to Rigotti Gold reeds which have nice plastic transparent holders that do hold the reeds flat. They'd fit in your acrylic holders the same way as the Vandoren. Then again, this would only be useful if you like the Rigotti reeds as much or more than the Vandorens (I switched to Rigotti after playing V16 reeds for many years). Just a thought...

 

[lostcircuits]

All he needs is try one pack of Rigotti and not throw out the transparent holders. I believe the V16 reeds will fit into the Rigotti holders

 

[High Fly]

+1

the reed holders in the OP model holder do odd things to the reed in holding it down. Crazy. Look closely and you'll see it The rigottis and other makers plastic holders are true flat holders.

You could switch to Rigotti Gold reeds which have nice plastic transparent holders that do hold the reeds flat. They'd fit in your acrylic holders the same way as the Vandoren. Then again, this would only be useful if you like the Rigotti reeds as much or more than the Vandorens (I switched to Rigotti after playing V16 reeds for many years). Just a thought...

Humidity based systems make reeds ready to play...no 5-10 mins of de-warping, crinkle edges, etc. No proof of longer life, but I have to believe that in dry dry atmospheres, where reeds get crazy warped looking ~~~~~ it has to be better for them over time. Just a tiny bit damp,... not wet!

 

[JL]

All he needs is try one pack of Rigotti and not throw out the transparent holders. I believe the V16 reeds will fit into the Rigotti holders

Good point. I thought you were about to say all he needs is to try one pack of Rigotti and he'll throw out the Vandoren reeds.

But the brand of reed is a separate topic.

As to the humidity based systems, I think they might be helpful in extremely dry climates and I know a lot of players swear by them in any climate. I gave them a real good try and no matter how tiny bit damp I went, the reeds still responded poorly. But I'm not in a super dry or super humid climate, so that may have something to do with it. And my reeds don't warp at all when allowing them to dry in the D'Addario reed holders. Again, possibly due to the climate where I live (N. CA coast).

 

[lostcircuits]

Good point. I thought you were about to say all he needs is to try one pack of Rigotti and he'll throw out the Vandoren reeds.

But the brand of reed is a separate topic.

As to the humidity based systems, I think they might be helpful in extremely dry climates and I know a lot of players swear by them in any climate. I gave them a real good try and no matter how tiny bit damp I went, the reeds still responded poorly. But I'm not in a super dry or super humid climate, so that may have something to do with it. And my reeds don't warp at all when allowing them to dry in the D'Addario reed holders. Again, possibly due to the climate where I live (N. CA coast).

Yes, I really dislike those "side-loading" reed holders, no matter how careful you are, there is always a chance of messing up the reeds. Rigotti, D'Addario/Rico, BSS they all have the front-loaders which are kind of fool proof.

As to the climate controlled holders, all I can say that after 5 minutes it doesn't make any difference, at least here. Last week we were somewhere between 1 and 9% relative humidity here and either you can play the reed after soaking it in saliva or you can't. Putting a reed into a glass of water helps for a very brief period and after that the reed just dries out again while you are playing, so it is almost worse than adjusting to a steady state medium dry reed, which just plays a little brighter but even that can be adjusted with a more relaxed embouchure. I have seen visiting players at outdoor events playing reeds for 5 min and then swapping them out for the next one in a glass of water and I don't think I need to emphasize the hassle that is.

And my reeds warp as soon as I mount them but within a few seconds of warming up, they are straight again and playable.

 

[High Fly]

Ha! my "humidity system" is a sliver of sponge in mouthwash in a 2 dollar plastic thingy I found in the store to "protect your credit cards" Pulled out the silly plastic sleeves and it fits 4 reeds and the sliver perfectly! Looks verrrry so-fistee-cated.

Yep, but I'd say after 10 mins, it all the same for sure. Because the first 5 they're unplayable, then the next 5 they are 'on their way". winter here with radiators and dry winter air is something else. I have doors (100+ yr old solid wood) that close in winter, but kinda don't in summer! I really like the instant playability I guess, esp on a gig when swapping out. No surprises.

 

[botahoratiu]

I don't understand why you sustain that the Vandoren holders are not holding the reeds 100% flat. They do, and they are a clever and nice design. I am not shure we are referring to the same product. My holders are made from rigid plastic that is 100% flat, and the reeds are helt tight against thet flat plastic bottom , being pushed in at least 3 points. The Rigotti ones are just thin soft PVC, wich are not flat for shure. I don't see your point here.

 

[lydian]

I don't understand why you sustain that the Vandoren holders are not holding the reeds 100% flat. They do, and they are a clever and nice design. I am not shure we are referring to the same product. My holders are made from rigid plastic that is 100% flat, and the reeds are helt tight against thet flat plastic bottom , being pushed in at least 3 points. The Rigotti ones are just thin soft PVC, wich are not flat for shure. I don't see your point here.

We're talking about the ones in the OP's picture. Grab both ends and twist. Easy, right? Now try to twist a traditional reed guard. When wood warps, it can exert a lot of force and go any direction. You need something very rigid, flat and strong. A cheap, thin piece of plastic doesn't cut it. If it did, everybody would be selling reed guards made out of the same material as the cheap plastic sleeves in the packaging. But they don't.

 

[High Fly]

Look closely and you will see. I have. If you look closely at the OP reed holders, the reed doesn't always sit fully flat, esp toward the middle and top of the reed. There may be a couple of reasons for it, but it doesn't matter what they may be.

The holders that require a slide in from the bottom have reliable downward pressure.

 

[J-Moen]

Agreed on this one. The vandoren reed holders use small slits of plastic to balance the reed down, which you insert from the side, never full contact to maintain flatness. They are also slightly more flimsy than those that come with my rigotti/DJS reeds. Ultimately, if it doesnt fit in my reed case, the reeds go in a DJS/Rigotti holder to stay flat. The vandoren ones go in the trash once I open a reed.