Mouthpieces Water seeping out from between heel of reed and mouthpiece table

[cappers]

I have an original Selmer Soloist-Style Tenor E mpc. It plays very nicely and not had any issues with it. The past few days I've noticed drops of water seeping out between the heel of the reed and mouthpiece table whilst playing once warmed up.

Thought it might be a warped reed so tried another and a new one, both leaked. Was using a Rovner Dark ligature - it's new so maybe not fully bedded in? - so put the metal Yamaha twin screw on and the same, water seeping out.

I flatten reeds with an ersatz reed-geek (machine tool bit). The mpc has not been dropped, squashed or left out in the sun. When not in use it rests in a mpc-shaped cavity in a foam-lined and lidded box.

I moistened the mpc table and placed it on a flat pane of glass and it looked totally flat and stable on the glass. I should try the Yamaha 5C mpc with the same reeds and ligs. If no leak then maybe something iffy with the Soloist?

Any thoughts please?

P.S. I am getting over a stinking cold and might be 'wetter' than usual (runny nose etc) Maybe I'm overproducing but still shouldn't leak out.

 

[Zasterz]

I’m sure this is not going to be much help but just wanted to say that I also had this problem for a little while and then it just went away. Maybe someone else will have more useful information! 😄

 

[turf3]

Check the backside of the reed with a straightedge, I'll bet it's warped convex across the long axis. I find sometimes I have to flatten the back of a reed more than once.

 

[skeller047]

Do you have a 2-screw ligature that fits? Rovners can apply pressure to the reed unevenly. I like two screw ligatures because you can balance the clamping pressure.

When you see this happen, can you pop the reed? By sucking air out, I mean. If it seals for longer than a second or two, I’d say there is no problem.

 

[cappers]

Check the backside of the reed with a straightedge, I'll bet it's warped convex across the long axis. I find sometimes I have to flatten the back of a reed more than once.

I did and tried different reeds as mentioned, can't all be warped and I do flatten them.
Soak reed then reed-geek it and dry in holder. Before use wet and flatten by rubbing the back down smooth paper.

Do you have a 2-screw ligature that fits? Rovners can apply pressure to the reed unevenly. I like two screw ligatures because you can balance the clamping pressure.

Yes, the Yamaha which I tried. Still got droplets. I prefer the metal two screw but thought to try the Rovner as I got one for the alto PPT as nothing else would fit properly.

When you see this happen, can you pop the reed? By sucking air out, I mean. If it seals for longer than a second or two, I’d say there is no problem.

I'll give that a go.

 

[Dr G]

I did and tried different reeds as mentioned, can't all be warped and I do flatten them.
Soak reed then reed-geek it and dry in holder. Before use wet and flatten by rubbing the back down smooth paper.

FWIW, I soak then dry the reeds before sanding them. I figure that let's them find their equilibrium shape which I then adjust.

I also don't soak the entire reed. Are you wetting the reed surface before you put it on the table?

 

[cappers]

Are you wetting the reed surface before you put it on the table?

Yes, moistening more than wetting, a quick lick!

 

[Colin the Bear]

Are you sure it's coming from under the reed. Cane has tubules running through the stock. The liquid can travel through the stock and appear at the heel.

 

[cappers]

Could be that as reed and table are as flat as far as I can tell.
As said maybe my cold has made me play wetter.
Off for my lesson, see how it goes today.

 

[Dr G]

Yes, moistening more than wetting, a quick lick!

Try leaving the part of the reed that rests on the table dry. I am curious whether you are setting up a surface diffusion (wicking) situation.

 

[cappers]

Played for an hour at my lesson and not a dropof water seeped out. Same mpc, metal twin-screw lig, new flattened reed.
Overwetted reed and table plus moist breath I think. I'll try the Rovner again tomorrow just to check; apparently they need some time/use to adjust.

 

[Pete Thomas]

I'll try the Rovner again tomorrow just to check; apparently they need some time/use to adjust.

That’s not been my experience. Perhaps if it’s not quite the right size.

thought to try the Rovner as I got one for the alto PPT as nothing else would fit properly.

I’ll have to try and find that 2 screw I thought I had, it fit perfectly.

 

[Colin the Bear]

If you're soaking the reed before playing then you'll blow liquid through the stock.

I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[cappers]

That’s not been my experience. Perhaps if it’s not quite the right size.

I’ll have to try and find that 2 screw I thought I had, it fit perfectly.

The Rovner instruction leaflet Product Instructions - Rovner Products says

For the PPT alto, the L5 (L1R) Bb clarinet lig fits. The Yamaha 2 screw alto lig wouldn't tighten enough on the PPT. I would have got a metal lig but this was suggested.

The Dark is a 2R as recommended for the Soloist and also fits the 5C. I got the tenor version as it was £17 on eBay so worth a punt. I haven't noticed any change in 'tonal dimension' or the Dark sounding different to the metal ones but maybe i'm not skilled enought to notice. Anyway, I like my Soloist having a genuine Selmer branded lig and metal cap.

@Pete Thomas If you find that 2 screw lig and don't need it please may I buy it?

 

[Dr G]

Played for an hour at my lesson and not a dropof water seeped out. Same mpc, metal twin-screw lig, new flattened reed.
Overwetted reed and table plus moist breath I think. I'll try the Rovner again tomorrow just to check; apparently they need some time/use to adjust.

Ligature tightness should not be a factor. My ligature is only snug enough to remain in place and I’ve never had juices flowing out the back even though my palm keys have often dripped.

 

[Pete Thomas]

@Pete Thomas If you find that 2 screw lig and don't need it please may I buy it?

You can have it free.

 

[cappers]

You can have it free.

Thank you very much.

 

[cappers]

Ligature tightness should not be a factor. My ligature is only snug enough to remain in place and I’ve never had juices flowing out the back even though my palm keys have often dripped.

Not happened to me before either, only now on this Rovner. I prefer a metal 2 screw lig because I can feel and see how tight I need to make it. As soon as the reed is secure top and bottom I stop tightening. Snug and not squeezed.

Anyway, dry today whatever it was.

 

[Pete Thomas]

The Rovner instruction leaflet Product Instructions - Rovner Products says

Yes but goes on to talk about “even greater tonal dimension can be achieved” so I tink we can mark that down as marketing hype.

 

[cappers]

Yes but goes on to talk about “even greater tonal dimension can be achieved” so I tink we can mark that down as marketing hype.

Marketing hype and USPs, pitfall for the unwary. Hence my comment

I haven't noticed any change in 'tonal dimension' or the Dark sounding different to the metal ones but maybe i'm not skilled enought to notice.