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Author Topic: Tuning up high reeds  (Read 746 times)

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Squeaky Pete

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Tuning up high reeds
« on: July 26, 2019, 10:06:48 AM »

I'm working out the details of a bit of a mad project, which might not get off the ground (probably for the best).
I will need to retune quite a few reeds. I'm happy sharpening up one or two semitones or flattening up to possibly three semitones, but is three semitones sharper a bit too far?
I'll try it anyway so I'm wondering what my success rate will be.
They are old zinc reeds, and I only need to change a few.
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Winston Smith

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Re: Tuning up high reeds
« Reply #1 on: July 26, 2019, 10:17:32 AM »

In my foolhardiness, I've tried re-tuning all different sorts of reeds in both directions. Three semi-tones would be too much for most reeds, in my opinion and experience, by filing. Mind you, I have found limited success in adding solder very near the root of some smaller reeds.
I'm sure that the professionals amongst us will be gnashing their teeth in frustration that someone could treat reeds so viciously, but it's surely better to try that than filing them away to almost silver paper thickness, or shortening the tongue, and hence ruining the original for ever?(At least solder can be removed!)
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Theo

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Re: Tuning up high reeds
« Reply #2 on: July 26, 2019, 10:49:18 AM »

It varies depending on the design of reed and on the pitch. One semitone either way is usually ok,  2 semitones is sometimes possible, but needs great care and a very good sharp file.

Exceptions are low reeds with weighted tips which often will go up more, and very high reeds which are often quite thick at the root and can be tuned down a surprisingly long way.
Tuning up by adding solder low down will raise the pitch but at the cost of deadening the sound.

It’s really a matter of experiment to learn what the limits are. 
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invadm

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Re: Tuning up high reeds
« Reply #3 on: July 26, 2019, 11:40:02 AM »

They are old zinc reeds, and I only need to change a few.
is it hard to get the replacement reeds you need ?asked around you might find what you need  ;)   
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mselic

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Re: Tuning up high reeds
« Reply #4 on: August 25, 2019, 02:38:49 PM »

I have successfully sharpened reeds by a whole tone several times without much difficulty.  I don't think I would try going any further than that.
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