Why is this Tenor Saxophone reed so good?
Can I rejuvenate my discarded reeds.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/learnsax/8431528736/in/photostream/
The lower photograph shows my very favourite Tenor Saxophone reed (blue label Vandoren).
This reed sings, easy blowing good high notes and super low notes down to Bb with a Yamaha number 7 mouthpiece. Over a period of time the reed has been trimmed by about 2mm and has very slight wear at one side near the tip rail.
I have just rejuvenated my stock of discarded reeds by matching with the best reed.
Testing the strength of the reed by bending the tip against a flat surface or your thumb nail, if too soft use a reed trimmer. If you cut off more than 2mm you may have to move the ramp and heart nearer the file marking.
The method with comparing the colours of the heart, tip, land against a lamp.
Using aluminium oxide sanding paper to reshape the reed progressively using finer grade of sanding paper.
Working down the grain to the tip not up grain.
For the final finish use flour grade wet and dry paper as used in car paint shops.