I was doing some quotation stuff when I learnt about a new reed packaging system by Vandoren. Named 'Flow Pack'. For those of you who don't know, Vandoren manufactures reeds and mouthpieces for woodwind instruments. Mainly clarinets and saxophones, I don't know if they produce for other instruments.
Take a look at the new product here. It's a flash presentation in the middle of the page.
I'm not a woodwind player, still, I don't see the need to have all that fanciful individual packaging such that your reed is 'factory fresh' (are they running a bakery here?). And by the time you season it I doubt there will be any difference. (This is a non-ww player writing so please pardon me for any factual misunderstanding)
See, you pay more (about $7-8 more per box of ten reeds compared to the old packaging) since they use more materials to produce that reed, on top of that you throw more rubbish, and look at how harmful it is to the environment!!! So much for 'factory fresh'. Environmentally-unfriendly!
We're already using up nature's resources to form a band, let alone the number of bands across the universe. But I won't be boycotting band or anything like that though =P
I advise you to look at Claude Delangle's comment at the end of the webpage. There's a link. He doesn't look convinced at all! Haha.
Save the Earth!!
We're gonna play Planet Earth so we got to do the Earth this little favour.
And like Christopher said, the extra amount you pay can buy you one more reed.
End of story, please boycott the new packaging!
This can be hard. If you are a die-hard Vandoren-reed-fan, I think the coming batches of reeds will be in this packaging. And the money we have to pay! Argh!
Have fun in school and band!
XOXOXO
Erina
Your (very lovely) Property Manager
Take a look at the new product here. It's a flash presentation in the middle of the page.
I'm not a woodwind player, still, I don't see the need to have all that fanciful individual packaging such that your reed is 'factory fresh' (are they running a bakery here?). And by the time you season it I doubt there will be any difference. (This is a non-ww player writing so please pardon me for any factual misunderstanding)
See, you pay more (about $7-8 more per box of ten reeds compared to the old packaging) since they use more materials to produce that reed, on top of that you throw more rubbish, and look at how harmful it is to the environment!!! So much for 'factory fresh'. Environmentally-unfriendly!
We're already using up nature's resources to form a band, let alone the number of bands across the universe. But I won't be boycotting band or anything like that though =P
I advise you to look at Claude Delangle's comment at the end of the webpage. There's a link. He doesn't look convinced at all! Haha.
Save the Earth!!
We're gonna play Planet Earth so we got to do the Earth this little favour.
And like Christopher said, the extra amount you pay can buy you one more reed.
End of story, please boycott the new packaging!
This can be hard. If you are a die-hard Vandoren-reed-fan, I think the coming batches of reeds will be in this packaging. And the money we have to pay! Argh!
Have fun in school and band!
XOXOXO
Erina
Your (very lovely) Property Manager
6 comments:
vandoren are a respected maker of reeds, and i can see where the manufacturers are coming from with this new packaging. costs and environmental concerns aside, the new packaging is (supposedly) designed to ensure that the reed is preserved in its original good condition, sealed in an airtight packaging until it reaches its destination all around the globe. reeds (like all wood) are very sensitive to changes in humidity and its quality will be affected by it, which will also affect the instrument's tone quality greatly. what this packaging means is that there is a lesser chance of getting a 'lousy' or 'spoilt' reed from the box, since they're sealed airtight.
nonetheless, since we're a band on a tight budget maybe we should change reed brands to stretch our dollar further, heh.. furthermore, once the 'flow pack' has been opened the reeds will ultimately be exposed to our crappy singapore humidity conditions anyway so they'll become unstable pretty fast i think, making the extra money paid unworthwhile. i think this type of 'flow packaging' is more suitable for professionals who demand a very high quality of reeds that would not get spoilt during transportation due to humidity changes.
but i'm interested to try and see how 'fresh' the reeds are! haha.. maybe i'll go get a box for myself.
ermz. i think giam will agree with me. BRING UR OWN PLASTIC BAGS TO SHOP!!! VERY GOOD EXAMPLE IS NTUC AND SCHOOL CO-OP OR CANTEEN!
Actually, the new packaging serves another purpose other than the ones Erina listed. For the past couple of years, there has been low quality reeds passed off as authentic Vandoren reeds, and it is overwhelming Vandoren's reputation as these "counterfeit" copied everything of Vandoren's products.
From the printing of the brand name on the read, the font used, and of course the packaging was copied exactly, only changing a letter or two in the brand name. Everything was copied except the product quality and tenacity.
So in order to safeguard Vandoren's reputation, they have to come up with new and better packaging. HAHA..
hello! I agree with what firdaus said. But I think a lot of people would still be reluctant to switch to any other brand, simply because everything else that's cheaper totally cannot compare to half of Vandoren's standards (of cos that's for saxophones only AND it's from my limited experiences with 4 or 5 different brands so far). Of course we would all try to save the planet and save $ if possible but if we get an alternative brand which is not good we will just leave them to rot in the cupboard or take out try try try then all throw away - i.e. bigger waste. For e.g. the new brand we are currently using (which is supposedly good for clarinets)I dono what to do with it cant bear to throw away but i can't really bear to use it either. That being said I (of all people) understand how tight the band's budget is - so
I think it's perfectly reasonable to choose an alternative rather than paying extra for the (not very necessary) extra packaging.
Finally, I would like to express my utmost regret that we reed players exhaust so much of the planet's resources - not only do we constantly kill bamboo trees we also need a whole dozen of accessories e.g. ligature swaps moisture-absorber cork grease etc etc. :( So sinful :'~~~~~~~~~
Haha, the new Vandoren Soprano sax reed is about $40 a box before GST. Have fun trying and let me know if it's really worth it! =P
And I didn't know that there are pirated reeds in the market as well! Hahaha!
And...Ooops to the saxophone section, apparently the Gonzalez brand doesn't appeal to you all. Haha, but the clarinets are enjoying themselves. Sorry!
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