I have several old reeds that used to have paper covering up the rough edges on the tops and bottoms. I've heard that some kind of tape can be used to cover them up to make them smooth. What kind of tape should I use?
Thanks again!
Candace
Visit HVAC suppliers & look @ aluminum duct tape !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gaffer's cloth tape used for taping carpets and wires is just as strong. If you buy duct tape make sure it is the tough stuff 13 mil, not the cheap 7 mil stuff. The roll will have the same footage, but about 30 % thicker. It will also stick a heck of a lot better to. Both gaffer's and 13 mil duct are 45 lb tensile strength. Gaffer's is about $15 more and a little stronger on a straight pull. Both products resist water to.
Here's a picture of the gaffer's cloth tape I'm using right now on an 8 dent reed I'm making. You can get it from Lee Valley if your interested, they also have the better duct tape. Notice where it is made. ;)
Some of my old reeds have a strip of cloth with the sides turned well under, and held in place by a strong thread 'spiralling' along the bar and going between the actual reeds at fairly frequent intervals. They are VERY old though, and probably predate gaffer tape by many years! ;)
Thank you all for this discussion, i have a few reeds with disintegrating tape, I have not repaired because i didnt know what to use.
I've used bookbinding tape. It comes in various widths, so you can find one the exact width of what you need.
I've also used hockey tape (the kind that players use to wrap the handle). It is strong, abrasion resistent, and stays quite well. A roll is wide enough to cover about 2/3 of the required width, so I put on two layers, one from each side.
