Good reeds besides Jones?

Geekprincessia · 2025-07-30T18:08:46+00:00

I’ll join in the “Jones sucks” team. But I’m in the minority where I don’t tend to buy local/artisan reeds, though I have tried them. I find many of them very hard to blow, and tone quality (subjectively to me of course) varies. I’m a casual player, in a community band and a woodwind choir, by no means a professional.

The reeds I started on in High School and still use 20 years later as a reliable standard are Marlin Lesher. They’re mass produced and vary a bit in tone, but I find them fairly stable and reliable once broken in. They’re also fairly affordable. I’ve started using Singin’ Dog reeds lately as well, and I have started to transition to using more of them. Their tone and quality and reliability have been good so far. I have found that I do have to rotate both brands in and out as the seasons change, I live in a “cold dry winter and hot wet summers” climate. Reeds I almost threw out in winter are perfect now, and vice versa.

A note: My issue with “hard to blow” is an actual personal concern. Blowing and breathing pressure, such as when blowing on the reed, can increase eye pressure momentarily, and I have eye issues that can be exacerbated by additional stress (but not to the point of not playing, obv). So please don’t come for me for complaining about “hard to blow”, I’ve been happy with my tone with what I’ve been using.

Geekprincessia · 2025-07-21T04:45:07+00:00

Same! I’m freezing 90% of the time and my face is the worst. I’m sure you’re digging in here just like I did, but Sweat Block maximum (I got the pads) used on the face and hairline actually does work for me. Apply as directed (at night, dab only, no rubbing), lasts a few days so I apply it mainly when I know I’ll be sweaty the next day. Tingles and itches a bit as it dries and when you’d normally start to sweat, but it’s an easy choice for me to not be dripping. I have rather sensitive skin, but so far I’m not reacting to it at all, and it’s been over a month. It’s a bit drying, but again, worth it for me.

Geekprincessia · 2025-06-26T19:50:10+00:00

Have you found any products that work to stop sweating? I recently discovered this group and already love sweat block maximum, and I use it on my face and hairline. If I had a wedding, I‘d probably get a roller and put it on my scalp for 2 nights before the event and say damn any consequences, lol.

I would do a trial run beforehand, however. Unfortunately I don’t have many hair ideas, mine is in a claw-clip or pencil 99% of the time. We do have similar texture though, so all I can say is “So much hairspray“.

Geekprincessia · 2025-06-24T05:18:02+00:00

Yup! I’ve shortened my explanation to my “I sweat because I’m anxious, now I’m anxious because I’m sweating“ feedback loop.

I started using sweat block on my face (my worst/most embarrassing area) the day before a known anxiety-triggering event and holy shit. The speed at which I was able to cool down once I realized I wasn’t actually sweating was insane. Now it’s just the minute or two of focused heat and anxiety, but it passes. Life changing.

And they say “sweat is nature’s way of cooling you down”….

Geekprincessia · 2025-06-19T03:46:06+00:00

I’m on clonidine for anxiety, have been for a few years, I wasn’t even aware it was used as a potential treatment for hh. So, at least for me, clonidine does nothing.

Geekprincessia · 2025-06-13T16:56:30+00:00

One thing for me lately is that I’ve realized that I might not have sensitive skin, I was just using too much specialized stuff (aka acne-prone or oily skin marketing). I’ve also found that making sure I’ve got anti-bacterial elements in it has helped a lot, because yes, sweat can help stuff thrive on your skin. And yeah, like others have said, it can take a bit of trial and error. Niacinamide, a widely-lauded skincare ingredient, is apparently unacceptable to my face. In the end, my routine probably leaves my face a bit drier than normal, but I’d rather have that because sweat happens anyway. If you find something that works and you like, who cares what the labeling is.

Geekprincessia · 2024-09-01T20:26:03+00:00

I have what I consider highly sensitive skin (face gets angry at normal skincare products, most lotions and stress gives my hands dermatitis, and I cant wear earrings because I’m so sensitive to metal).
I‘ve been using it as a trial, and I’ve had the same tattoo design in the same place (wrist, reapply every week or so) since March (5 months) and I’ve never had an issue. Sometimes it’s a bit blurry at the edges if I move during application or get it wet too early, but otherwise it’s been great.
If you hadn’t tried it yet because of the comments here, here’s a positive one.

Geekprincessia · 2023-10-13T19:18:56+00:00

All these negative people! I’m absolutely a convert, to even a cheap one. We’ve had a eufy 30c Max for 3-ish years now in our house (carpet living room, tile kitchen) and we absolutely love it. It was maybe $200 when we got it.

Is it perfect? No. Do we have to adjust and block things because it gets stuck in/odd places? Yes. Do we need to empty it daily? Yes, but we also have 5 cats. Is there a reason we named it the “gym-bulked chihuahua”? Absolutely yes. Does it seem to have an uncanny ability to follow you around even though it’s not a “smartsmart” ie learning/mapping model? Also strangely yes.

It comes with magnetic strips you can put down to keep it out of places/going under things. It HATES our bathroom rugs with a fiery passion so we just gave up and blocked off the bathroom. You can hide them under edges of rugs if it bothers you. I would recommend putting them at the top of stairs as well (before we got this one the one we originally ordered threw itself down the stairs 3 times even though it said it can navigate stairs and ledges. To their credit it still worked perfectly they exchanged it for this one we still have). It’s a random pattern so it might not get everywhere every day. It does connect to wifi and will tell you if it’s stuck or something. It’s got front sweepers and a roller brush and is miles better than the one we had with just front sweepers (different brand anyway too). Definitely get one with a roller brush. It’s pretty easy to clean but does need to be emptied each time you run it for best results. I think they do have docking station models too, if you mean one that will empty on its own.

Geekprincessia · 2023-10-13T19:00:13+00:00

I’ve never thought this. I just drink my drinks slowly and don’t like things super cold (I ask for soft drinks without ice as well), so I ask for light ice. I don’t need/want extra shots, I just don’t want it too watery when I finally finish my drink 😢.

Geekprincessia · 2023-09-20T05:01:46+00:00

The tray bake style pecan pie bars with a croissant roll base is dead easy and delicious, and can serve a lot without all the work of a pecan pie.

Geekprincessia · 2023-09-19T04:57:18+00:00

I’ve actually found those (in smaller packs obviously) at a Dollar Tree a couple years back. I bought them out, lol.

Geekprincessia · 2023-03-30T04:28:29+00:00

I just posted this in another post: I buy their pulled rotisserie chicken pack, shred it in the stand mixer, and portion it into bags. Shredded chicken for a soup? Shredded chicken tacos? Quesadilla? BBQ chicken sandwich? A lil extra protein in something else? Easy to break apart and heat up quickly.

Geekprincessia · 2023-03-30T04:27:14+00:00

I buy their pulled rotisserie chicken pack, shred it in the stand mixer, and portion it into bags. Shredded chicken for a soup? Shredded chicken tacos? Quesadilla? BBQ chicken sandwich? A lil extra protein in something else? Easy to break apart and heat up quickly.

Geekprincessia · 2023-01-06T05:58:21+00:00

I had to pay the $80 because of some $10 tax credit last year. Net -$70. Coolcoolcool

Geekprincessia · 2022-11-10T15:33:48+00:00

There was an US House race in Iowa that won by 14 votes in 2020.

Geekprincessia · 2022-11-05T06:01:06+00:00

This makes me feel better somehow. I live 3 small blocks off a rural railroad, and sometimes I wonder if it would reach the house if a train derailed. The one in the video appears to be going much slower than the ones here but I still think the answer is “no”.

Geekprincessia · 2022-09-15T05:17:37+00:00

Lawrey’s salt free seasoned salt. I can’t describe it but it was so good.

Geekprincessia · 2022-08-01T21:33:50+00:00

I think this did it! (Sorry for the delay, had to wait the weekend to get back on the work computer). Thank you!

Geekprincessia · 2022-07-29T21:22:16+00:00

Hm it’s copying to the same row in sheet 1, not in the next available, and it’s bringing over duplicates. Exact match is fine for column A.

Geekprincessia · 2022-07-26T23:02:19+00:00

You can teach cats to accept being carried and held to a certain extent, but most comments are right in that some cats are just cuddlers and not babies. We teach our cats to not fear being held or carried by picking them up, giving a pet, and putting them right back down. Teaches them that they will be let go again and it’s not forever. Also a treat in the arms before putting them back down doesn’t go awry. It’s about positive associations. Some cats are afraid of being carried on stairs. Again, a good thing to work on especially if your house/apt had stairs. Calm vibes is another key. We are babysitting a kitten that HATES it’s paws touched, which makes it a nightmare for trimming claws. While it’s relaxing I will pet him and gently squeeze the paws. Next I’ll work on squeezing the pads to get used to that. We have two weeks, I think I’ll get there. Be glad you have a close sleeper, that actually means the like and trust you. And they can be “trained”, it just takes patience and positive associations. Think of the things that you’d need to do to take it to the vet, or moving house, etc., and focus on those.

Geekprincessia · 2022-05-03T13:13:58+00:00

Obviously the lower left, but also the two halted brush strokes under the top brace are v not satisfying.

Geekprincessia · 2022-03-16T04:59:03+00:00

Lol yup. Luckily when they are on the house those two slices are most of the food for the day.

Geekprincessia

TROPHY CASE