I recently picked up the MD 2 Shaper by Paul Deegan ON SALE (I love a bargain!) to go with my new MD Profiler. The new shaper has created a comparison of shapers I use regularly, complete with how I use the reeds with different ensembles.
- The MD Profiler Looking Fresh and Ready for Cane!
MD 2 Shaper: Straight
- MD 2 Straight Shaper
Dimensions:
15.5 mm at the Widest part of Tip
8.6 mm Throat
9.4 mm Tube End
MD 2 PROS:
Shape BEFORE Profiling
It’s close to the Fox 2 measurements but without the Pesky Spine Centering Portion.
It puts a Sweet Indention in the Cane so that when it is profiled with MD Profiler the Spine is ALWAYS in the CENTER aka one of my reasons for purchase. See Pictures Below.
- There is a Circle Indentation in the Tube of the Cane. Picture Courtesy of Paul Deegan of MD Products.
- The Circle Indentation Left by the Straight Shaper Matches the Indentation on the Profiling Machine. Picture Courtesy of Paul Deegan of MD Products.
MD 2 CONS:
You Must REMEMBER: Cane fits in this shaper with BARK SIDE FACING UP– this is opposite of the Fox Shapers. I have left a note on mine that I replace each time after shaping- so that until placing the cane in upside down becomes habit. AKA I had to remember this the hard way a few times to know.. LEAVE YOURSELF A NOTE!
Fox 2: Straight
Dimensions:
15.4 mm at the Widest part of Tip
8.6 mm Throat
9.4 mm Tube End
FOX 2 PROS:
Shape BEFORE Profiling
Note: This is an option available but problematic as the spine has not been scraped by Profiler and there isn’t a Sweet Indent where it will be- like with the MD.
The Shape has led to some of the Best “Feather” reeds. I use “Feather” reeds for Delicate Chamber Music: Think Matching Clarinet Dimenuendos or Playing Orchestral 2nd Bassoon.
FOX 2 CONS:
Post Profile Shape means Delicate Scraping around the Tip
Challenge to get the Spine Centered: I have a Blog about How to Conquer This: Click here for more!
Actually had a few Diagonal Spine Pieces (Yikes!)
Rieger 1A: Fold Over
Dimensions:
15.5 mm at the Widest part of Tip
9 mm Throat
10.1 Tube End
Note: Many players believe the Flare at the Base of the Tube can create a Richer (less Narrow) Sound and possibly a more even Scale.
Throughout the last year, I started organizing my reed boxes in Champions and Feathers and AMAZINGLY- my reed boxes seem to prove this point.
And yes, there is such a thing as too much flare! (More on that Later!)
RIEGER 1A PROS:
This Shape has consistently led to the best “Champion” reeds. I use “Champion” reeds for Solo with Piano or Playing Orchestral Principal Bassoon.
By placing a Light behind the Cane it is easy to EYE up the Spine in the Center of the Shape.
The Cane if Folded in Half before making a Blank.
NO crazy Diagonal Shaping has ever happened for me with This One!
This is the Closest Shape to the Danzi GSP (Gouged-Shaped and Profiled) Cane I’ve Found.
The Shaper Handle Allows for other Shaper Tips
RIEGER 1A CONS:
This is NOT the Shaper I use for Delicate Playing unless the cane is NOT Super Hard
You can check this with a Cane Hardness Meter (More on that Later!)
The Flare at the Base of the Tube can Require a Larger Bevel
OVERVIEW:
Although the Fox 2 and the Rieger 1A do not differ much in tip width by shaper measurements, when I cut the tip on a finished reed they differ by a full millimeter. I believe this is in part due to the Throat dimension difference helping to create a rounder tube.
All Dimensions are taken from My Own Personal Shapers. Some shapers vary slightly in Manufacturing. For Example, my measurements differ ever so slightly from the Shaper Measurements at websites such as BARTON CANE. Another Great Resource for Shaper Dimensions.
erynoft 