Profile Styles |
|
Pictured below are the six profile styles. The top image of each style is a longtitudinal section down the centre-line of the
profile, with the thickness exaggerated by a factor of five to better show the contour. The bottom image of each style is a
view of the blade as if it was being held up to a light source. All styles shown are with a 30mm blade length (27mm from ledge
to tip) and a 1mm tip extension. Note: Before considering ordering reeds with the Channel profile style, please see my
comments on this style in the Model Eval/Comments section of the Model Selection page
|
| Moderate Taper (MTP) |
|
Parallel (PLL) |
|
Full Taper (FTP) |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
| Channel (CHN) |
|
Spine (SPN) |
|
Triangle-Well (TRW) |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
Below is a table comparing the centre-line thickness of the six profile styles, again the 30mm blade with 1mm tip extension
versions. Offsets from the ledge are listed along the top row, offset 27.0 being at the tip.
|
|
0.0
| 1.0
| 2.0
| 3.0
| 4.0
| 5.0
| 6.0
| 7.0
| 8.0
| 9.0
| 10.0
| 11.0
| 12.0
| 13.0
| 14.0
| 15.0
| 16.0
| 17.0
| 18.0
| 19.0
| 20.0
| 21.0
| 22.0
| 23.0
| 24.0
| 25.0
| 26.0
| 27.0
|
| MTP |
0.82 |
0.81 |
0.80 |
0.80 |
0.79 |
0.78 |
0.77 |
0.76 |
0.74 |
0.73 |
0.72 |
0.71 |
0.69 |
0.68 |
0.66 |
0.65 |
0.63 |
0.61 |
0.60 |
0.58 |
0.55 |
0.53 |
0.50 |
0.47 |
0.43 |
0.38 |
0.29 |
0.18 |
| PLL |
0.66 |
0.66 |
0.66 |
0.66 |
0.66 |
0.66 |
0.65 |
0.65 |
0.65 |
0.65 |
0.64 |
0.64 |
0.63 |
0.63 |
0.62 |
0.62 |
0.61 |
0.60 |
0.59 |
0.58 |
0.57 |
0.56 |
0.54 |
0.52 |
0.48 |
0.40 |
0.26 |
0.18 |
| FTP |
1.00 |
0.98 |
0.95 |
0.93 |
0.90 |
0.88 |
0.85 |
0.82 |
0.80 |
0.77 |
0.75 |
0.72 |
0.70 |
0.67 |
0.65 |
0.62 |
0.60 |
0.57 |
0.55 |
0.52 |
0.50 |
0.47 |
0.45 |
0.42 |
0.40 |
0.37 |
0.32 |
0.20 |
| CHN |
0.88 |
0.87 |
0.86 |
0.85 |
0.84 |
0.83 |
0.82 |
0.81 |
0.80 |
0.79 |
0.77 |
0.68 |
0.65 |
0.63 |
0.61 |
0.60 |
0.58 |
0.56 |
0.54 |
0.52 |
0.49 |
0.47 |
0.44 |
0.44 |
0.47 |
0.41 |
0.30 |
0.19 |
| SPN |
0.75 |
0.75 |
0.75 |
0.75 |
0.75 |
0.75 |
0.75 |
0.74 |
0.74 |
0.74 |
0.74 |
0.73 |
0.73 |
0.72 |
0.72 |
0.71 |
0.71 |
0.70 |
0.70 |
0.69 |
0.68 |
0.67 |
0.65 |
0.58 |
0.49 |
0.38 |
0.28 |
0.18 |
| TRW |
1.00 |
0.98 |
0.95 |
0.93 |
0.90 |
0.88 |
0.85 |
0.82 |
0.80 |
0.75 |
0.67 |
0.64 |
0.62 |
0.59 |
0.57 |
0.54 |
0.52 |
0.49 |
0.49 |
0.54 |
0.60 |
0.57 |
0.55 |
0.52 |
0.50 |
0.47 |
0.38 |
0.22 |
|
Tip Extensions |
|
The tip extension defines how close the tip region (a.k.a "the fingernail", "the bullet" or "the tip shaping region") is to the tip.
A longer extension puts this region more forward, closer to the tip. Pictured below are the three tip extensions shown with the Moderate
Taper profile style, 30mm blade length. Note that the tip extension does not change the blade length. All three reeds pictured
below have exactly the same blade length of 30mm, measured from blade wire to tip.
|
| 0mm Tip Extension |
|
1mm Tip Extension |
|
2mm Tip Extension |
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
Below is a table comparing the centre-line thickness of the three tip extensions. Data are for the Moderate Taper profile style with a
30mm blade. Offsets from the ledge are listed along the top row, offset 27.0 being at the tip.
|
|
0.0
| 1.0
| 2.0
| 3.0
| 4.0
| 5.0
| 6.0
| 7.0
| 8.0
| 9.0
| 10.0
| 11.0
| 12.0
| 13.0
| 14.0
| 15.0
| 16.0
| 17.0
| 18.0
| 19.0
| 20.0
| 21.0
| 22.0
| 23.0
| 24.0
| 25.0
| 26.0
| 27.0
|
| 0mm |
0.85 |
0.84 |
0.84 |
0.83 |
0.82 |
0.81 |
0.80 |
0.78 |
0.77 |
0.76 |
0.75 |
0.73 |
0.72 |
0.70 |
0.68 |
0.66 |
0.64 |
0.62 |
0.60 |
0.58 |
0.55 |
0.52 |
0.49 |
0.45 |
0.40 |
0.30 |
0.19 |
0.16 |
| 1mm |
0.82 |
0.81 |
0.80 |
0.80 |
0.79 |
0.78 |
0.77 |
0.76 |
0.74 |
0.73 |
0.72 |
0.71 |
0.69 |
0.68 |
0.66 |
0.65 |
0.63 |
0.61 |
0.60 |
0.58 |
0.55 |
0.53 |
0.50 |
0.47 |
0.43 |
0.38 |
0.29 |
0.18 |
| 2mm |
0.79 |
0.78 |
0.77 |
0.76 |
0.75 |
0.75 |
0.74 |
0.73 |
0.72 |
0.70 |
0.69 |
0.68 |
0.67 |
0.66 |
0.64 |
0.63 |
0.62 |
0.60 |
0.58 |
0.57 |
0.55 |
0.53 |
0.50 |
0.48 |
0.45 |
0.41 |
0.36 |
0.28 |
|
Length Dimensions |
|
There are six blade length choices. These are 28mm to 33mm inclusive, measured from the blade wire to the tip, in
increments of 1mm. The actual blade lengths of finished reeds may vary from the specification to some degree, but usually not by
more than 0.25mm.
There are three tube length choices, designated as short, medium and long. The actual tube length measurement varies with
the blade length, as shown below.
The following two tables show the tube length measurement, measured from the butt-end to the blade wire, and the overall reed
length for all combinations of blade length and tube length. All measurements are in millimeters. The "standard" blade wire
placement, delineating tube and blade in the tables, is 3mm from the collar for all models.
|
| Tube Length Measurement | | Overall Reed Length |
|---|
|
| Blade Length |
28 |
29 |
30 |
31 |
32 |
33 |
| Short Tube |
26.5 |
26.0 |
25.5 |
25.0 |
24.5 |
24.0 |
| Medium Tube |
28.0 |
27.5 |
27.0 |
26.5 |
26.0 |
25.5 |
| Long Tube |
29.5 |
29.0 |
28.5 |
28.0 |
27.5 |
27.0 |
|
|
| Blade Length |
28
| 29
| 30
| 31
| 32
| 33
|
| Short Tube |
54.5 |
55.0 |
55.5 |
56.0 |
56.5 |
57.0 |
| Medium Tube |
56.0 |
56.5 |
57.0 |
57.5 |
58.0 |
58.5 |
| Long Tube |
57.5 |
58.0 |
58.5 |
59.0 |
59.5 |
60.0 |
|
|
|
Bocal Fit |
|
The aim in attaining a good bocal fit is to have the reed fit snugly over the bocal for the entire length
of the bocal penetration, and have the tip of the bocal meet a ridge inside the reed whose height matches the wall thickness of the
tip of the bocal. This ridge serves to make a smooth transition from the inside of the reed to the inside of the bocal.
|
| Bocal Fit Data |
|---|
|
| Manufacturer |
Description |
Examples |
Tip Diameter |
Dia @ 9mm |
Tip Wall Thickness |
Designation |
| Heckel |
Thick-walled (no "D") except with "E" |
C, CC, B, BB, VC, VCC |
4.80mm |
5.38mm |
0.26mm |
HTK9 |
| Heckel |
Thin-walled ("D") plus "E" without "D" |
CE, CD, BD, VCD, VCE |
4.80mm |
5.18mm |
0.26mm |
HTN9 |
| Heckel |
Thin-walled DE (both "D" and "E") |
CDE, VCDE |
4.80mm |
4.98mm |
0.26mm |
HDE9 |
| Fox |
Thick-walled (no "T") |
C, CV, CVX, CVC, *CVX*, *CVC* |
4.90mm |
5.42mm |
0.26mm |
FTK9 |
| Fox |
Thin-walled ("T") |
*CTX*, *CTC* |
4.90mm |
5.22mm |
0.26mm |
FTN9 |
| Moosmann |
Normal-walled (no "D", no "F") |
- |
5.00mm |
5.30mm |
- |
MNO9 |
| Moosmann |
Thin-walled ("D") |
- |
4.80mm |
5.00mm |
- |
HDE9 |
|
|
Unlisted Bocals
The most common bocal fit is that of the Heckel thick-walled bocals (HTK9 in my reed model code). As I become
familiar with other bocals, I will include their data in this section. If your bocal is not listed, and you have access to some Vernier
calipers, then measure your bocal tip and select the fit that is closest. Also see the Common Problems section of the
Usage Suggestions page for suggestions on how to deal with a reed that doesn't fit your bocal properly.
|
Shape Dimensions |
|
Each blade/tube length combination has its own shape. The shapes for the short tubes have a pronounced flare from
the narrowest point to the position of the blade wire and have a noticable bulge in front of the blade wire. The medium
tube shapes have a moderate flare and just a hint of a bulge. The long tube shapes have very little flare and no bulge. Below
is a diagram of the three shapes used with the reed models having a 31mm blade length, from top to bottom, short tube, medium
tube and long tube. The lines drawn across the left side of the shapes represent, from left to right, the placements of the narrowest
point on the shape, the blade wire, 8mm in front of the blade wire and the tip. Noting the shape contour from the blade wire forward
8mm gives an idea of the aformentioned bulge. Unfortunately, the pixelized representations of these shapes are crude. Despite this, the
traits mentioned above are somewhat discernable.
Shape Widths and Offsets
Note that listed tip width is for shaped cane. A finished reed will be wider at the tip, to a degree that depends on the
size of the tip opening.
| Blade & Tube Length |
Narrowest Point |
Blade Wire |
Blade Wire + 8mm |
Tip |
| 28mm S |
8.38 @ 19.5 |
9.00 @ 26.5 |
10.28 @ 34.5 |
13.70 @ 54.5 |
|
| 29mm S |
8.42 @ 19.0 |
9.04 @ 26.0 |
10.32 @ 34.0 |
13.78 @ 55.0 |
|
| 30mm S |
8.46 @ 18.5 |
9.08 @ 25.5 |
10.36 @ 33.5 |
13.86 @ 55.5 |
|
| 31mm S |
8.50 @ 18.0 |
9.12 @ 25.0 |
10.40 @ 33.0 |
13.94 @ 56.0 |
|
| 32mm S |
8.54 @ 17.5 |
9.16 @ 24.5 |
10.44 @ 32.5 |
14.02 @ 56.6 |
|
| 33mm S |
8.58 @ 17.0 |
9.20 @ 24.0 |
10.48 @ 32.0 |
14.10 @ 57.0 |
|
| 28mm M |
8.38 @ 20.5 |
8.92 @ 28.0 |
10.12 @ 36.0 |
13.70 @ 56.0 |
|
| 29mm M |
8.42 @ 20.0 |
8.96 @ 27.5 |
10.16 @ 35.5 |
13.78 @ 56.5 |
|
| 30mm M |
8.46 @ 19.5 |
9.00 @ 27.0 |
10.20 @ 35.0 |
13.86 @ 57.0 |
|
| 31mm M |
8.50 @ 19.0 |
9.04 @ 26.5 |
10.24 @ 34.5 |
13.94 @ 57.5 |
|
| 32mm M |
8.54 @ 18.5 |
9.08 @ 26.0 |
10.28 @ 34.0 |
14.02 @ 58.0 |
|
| 33mm M |
8.58 @ 18.0 |
9.12 @ 25.5 |
10.32 @ 33.5 |
14.10 @ 58.5 |
|
| 28mm L |
8.38 @ 21.5 |
8.84 @ 29.5 |
9.87 @ 37.5 |
13.70 @ 57.5 |
|
| 29mm L |
8.42 @ 21.0 |
8.88 @ 29.0 |
9.91 @ 37.0 |
13.78 @ 58.0 |
|
| 30mm L |
8.46 @ 20.5 |
8.92 @ 28.5 |
9.95 @ 36.5 |
13.86 @ 58.5 |
|
| 31mm L |
8.50 @ 20.0 |
8.96 @ 28.0 |
9.99 @ 36.0 |
13.94 @ 59.0 |
|
| 32mm L |
8.54 @ 19.5 |
9.00 @ 27.7 |
10.03 @ 35.5 |
14.02 @ 59.5 |
|
| 33mm L |
8.58 @ 19.0 |
9.04 @ 27.0 |
10.07 @ 35.0 |
14.10 @ 60.0 |
|
|
Gouge Dimensions |
|
Each combination of blade length, tube length and tip extension has its own gouge. The basic gouge used is a concentric one, the thickness
of which increases as the blade length increases. The gouge tapers by .08mm or .09mm from the collar to the tip. About half the taper occurs
from 4mm back from the tip (for 0mm tip extension, closer to tip with longer tip extension), matching the corresponding contour pattern
of the profile. It is my belief that this type of gouge taper gives the same playing characteristics as an eccentric gouge, but with less
embouchure pressure required.
Two other features are built into the gouge, both in the tube section. Firstly, there is a slightly hollowed out section between the
middle wire and the collar. This serves to marginally increase the volume of the tube section and some theorize (myself included) that
this also reduces any constriction by the blade wire of the cane fibers at the tip. The second built-in feature is in the area where the
bocal penetrates the reed. In this section, the gouge is thinner by the wall thickness of the target bocal at the tip (0.26 mm standard).
The intended goal of having this section is to eliminate the need to ream, and to make a smooth transition from the inside of the bocal to
the inside of the reed.
Shown below is a longtitudinal section for the Medium Taper profile style, 30mm blade length, 0mm tip extension. In this diagram, the
thickness is exaggerated by a factor of six.
Baseline Gouge Thicknesses and Tapers
| Blade Length |
Baseline Gouge |
Taper |
| 28mm |
1.20mm |
0.08mm |
|
| 29mm |
1.23mm |
0.08mm |
|
| 30 mm |
1.26mm |
0.08mm |
|
| 31mm |
1.29mm |
0.09mm |
|
| 32mm |
1.32mm |
0.09mm |
|
| 33mm |
1.35mm |
0.09mm |
|
|
