Reeds ATG system

[Jamesmac]

Hi all
just thought I would put in my 2cents. What I find interesting about reed selection, is the criteria of choosing a reed. The obvious answer is ease of playing, but IMO not the only reason. Some are more sensitive to the qualities of the sound they try to make, and I don't mean better or worse, than the next guy, just different. Although they do tend to have more of an idea of the sound they are trying to make. Other than a generic type of sound. I find players generally who are more fussy about the reeds they use, have more an individual sound.

 

[jeremyjuicewah]

Welcome back Crocodile Crow.

 

[Targa]

I find that if a reed is a bit stiff to start with, after playing it for a short while it becomes 'right', stays that way for as long as it is going to last then starts to go off.
I feel that if I was to 'adjust' it to be right when it was new, after I'd played it for a while it would then be wrong.

 

[daveysaxboy]

That is acually incorrect in regards to the atg system

So how do you know it plays ?

 

[johnboy]

I find that if a reed is a bit stiff to start with, after playing it for a short while it becomes 'right', stays that way for as long as it is going to last then starts to go off.
I feel that if I was to 'adjust' it to be right when it was new, after I'd played it for a while it would then be wrong.

The only way to find out, is to try it!
I have never had that problem, but of course, it all depends on how long you expect a reed to last.

John 🙂;};}

 

[Chris]

This could run and run. For and against. For me I've never adjusted a reed and I know quite a few guys that don't as well. But, that is not to say it doesn't work for some. Where I'm not convinced it can help is when beginners start playing with reeds, as they do not have a stable enough embouchure to be able to tell between good and bad. Also as has been said, it's matching reeds to mouthpiece, well perhaps some of you don't have good mouthpieces, eg an uneven table, rails that are not parallel, etc etc... There's more to this than bad reeds.. Just my opinion..

Chris...

 

[Jamesmac]

We should all move to Paris, where we can pop up to rue le piqué when we need reeds and buy the reeds that we like after selecting them. But I'm not sure if Vandoren still have that system, as I last did it in the 80s

 

[jazzdoh]

There was a time in the 80/90s when music shops allowed you to hand pick your reeds,a well known pro told me back then what to look for,but presently most reeds are individually wrapped so this is not possible,i got fed up with only having 3 out of 10 play well out of the box,then 3/4 you would have to work on and 3/4 you might as well throw away that about 8/9 years ago moved to synthetics and have never looked back,yes i still sometimes have to work on reeds but once they are right you can get months and months out of the reeds,still have lots of cane reeds floating about and they haven't got better with age.
I have heard players say the ATG system is good and worth the money and also have friends who have made their own similar system for only a few pounds.
I use the Vandoren glass resurfacer and stick and bought it when they were about £15,not sure i would buy one today now they are over £70

 

[Targa]

The only way to find out, is to try it!
I have never had that problem, but of course, it all depends on how long you expect a reed to last.

John 🙂;};}

I usually get about 3 months out of a reed.
Out of curiosity I could try the ATG but at around £50 curiosity might not kill the cat but it would be impoverished.
If I bought one and did not find it worked as well as you believe would you buy it from me?

 

[daveysaxboy]

Whack a reed on ,play it till its on its ar*e then whack another 1 on,keep repeating this magic method untill you die :shocked:🙂))🙂))🙂))

 

[Jamesmac]

Years ago I used to draw a grid on my reeds ( little boxes ) and use a micrometer on a vertical stand. Measure each box, and scrape to make every part of the reed balanced. I think it's quite a respected book for adjusting reeds that I got the info from. It did work, but for the preparation involved, a bit labour intensive. Maybe I'm richer now and can throw away some reeds. LOL

 

[Jazzaferri]

Would that be Ray Reed's book on adjusting sax reeds.

 

[Jamesmac]

I'm talking about 30yrs ago, that I used this book for adjusting reeds, but I think the name rings a bell, but so does Jeffrey's . It was more a booklet than a book, A5 size. yellow or light brown from memory, I have it in storage, if I come across it I will let you know.PS. I used it for Clarinet so definitely not with a saxophone title.

 

[Jazzaferri]

Its the dial gauge and grid thing that made me think of ray reeds book

with the ATG system I adjusted my Legere Signature synth and boy what a difference to play now. A total of around 10 strokes of 320 grit down one side and about 16 light strokes to even the tip and it really sings now. Almost no change in embouchure pressure right up to palm E and a wee bit of change to get the last two before altissimo

i am not going to do any more on it till I have more practice testing the reeds. A few minutes a day for a few months and I will have a much better feel for the subtleties of the last final adjustments that make altissimo as easy as playing in the staff.

the concept of analyzing the red as it plays, not via measurement is more sound IMO. Cane is not homogeneous so playtesting is the way to go. I dont even use a lig for the tests any more so that saves fuss too.

 

[sushidushi]

Don't use a lig? Do you hold it place manually for testing purposes?

 

[Jamesmac]

Right thumb on the reed. LH on the keys.

 

[Jazzaferri]

Right thumb on the reed. LH on the keys.

For the side to side test I just use the crook aka neck and mpce and hold reed on with r thumb. I use a separate mpce and neck that are not in active use to save fussing. Once that is done I put reed on play a bit and then do register response test and usually make a mental note if I need to do anything more and make the changes after my practice session.

I suspect as I get better at analyzing that may change.

i had a student in today and it took me all of two minutes to get her reed into way easier playing shape for her.

 

[Jamesmac]

For the side to side test I just use the crook aka neck and mpce and hold reed on with r thumb. I use a separate mpce and neck that are not in active use to save fussing. Once that is done I put reed on play a bit and then do register response test and usually make a mental note if I need to do anything more and make the changes after my practice session.

I suspect as I get better at analyzing that may change.

i had a student in today and it took me all of two minutes to get her reed into way easier playing shape for her.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhNcZopC4dM&feature=youtube_gdata_player


After all the work in adjusting the reeds, you may want to protect them from the environment.
See what David Sanborn does with his reeds. Start about 2.00
I believe he uses a bell jar.

 

[johnboy]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhNcZopC4dM&feature=youtube_gdata_player


After all the work in adjusting the reeds, you may want to protect them from the environment.
See what David Sanborn does with his reeds. Start about 2.00
I believe he uses a bell jar.

All the work?..... As we keep telling you, with the ATG system, it only takes a couple of minutes!!
Protect them from the environment, WHY?..... all you need to do is clean them and put them in their protective holders. Provided that you don't damage them, they will last for ages!!!!
Bell jars = Snake Oil.

 

[daveysaxboy]

All the work?..... As we keep telling you, with the ATG system, it only takes a couple of minutes!!
Protect them from the environment, WHY?..... all you need to do is clean them and put them in their protective holders. Provided that you don't damage them, they will last for ages!!!!
Bell jars = Snake Oil.

Not to protect them so much but keep them moist.He finds the best reeds,marks them in pen from 1 to say 10 and adds a tiny bit of water in the jar.This keeps them moist.If any reed breaks at a gig he knows theres working moist reeds in the jar.Simples.