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Forum » Sax Equipment » How long do reeds last?


by SQ1
(13 posts)
18 years ago

How long do reeds last?

I recently started playing again after maybe 8 years and, without thinking, used the reeds in my case. They must have been at least 8 years old - maybe 10 - but they seem to play all right: a few squeaks, but that's my sloppy embouchure I fear. I reckon that if they sound okay, they are okay. Do you agree? And they seem quite easy to play. Is it likely they have softened over the years?

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  2. by CountSpatula
    (602 posts)
    18 years ago

    Re: How long do reeds last?

    I dont see why they wouldnt play. Some reason older reeds tend to work more often, I usually save the reeds that dont work and they end up working later on.

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    1. by chiamac
      (586 posts)
      18 years ago

      Re: How long do reeds last?

      I'm using some 6 year old ones on my alto, they work fine... other than I had to make them softer.

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      1. by definition
        (963 posts)
        18 years ago

        Re: How long do reeds last?

        I recentley found a couple of boxes of reeds that are about 30 years old in the back of the shop in the music store I twach in, they play great!

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        1. by CountSpatula
          (602 posts)
          18 years ago

          Re: How long do reeds last?

          Hahah 30 years old? thats older than me!! Ive never had reeds stuck somewhere that long, usually like a year or two...

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        2. by mingusfan69
          (9 posts)
          18 years ago

          Re: How long do reeds last?

          From my expriences with sax and clarinet reeds, they age, like wine. Each year I buy around 10-12 boxes of reeds and let them age. Once you start to use them, however, they start to disinegrate.

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