Basic Gouges

Gouge affects resilience, as well as response. Most common gouges are variants on lateral, or side-to-side, dimensions. The most common variants can be classified as “eccentric” or “concentric.” The eccentric gouge has sides that are thinner than the centerline; that is, the gouge tapers laterally, from centerline to each side. The eccentric gouge has relatively weak resilience.

The concentric gouge has sides that are the same thickness as the centerline. The concentric gouge offers strong resilience. When the tube is formed, a concentric gouge causes the mid-range fibers to compress when the tube is rounded at wire I. Therefore, the Bahn (blades) must be trimmed more in the mid-range areas to achieve the same response as a reed made with an eccentric gouge.

Lou also made a third simple lateral gouge variant, the “inverted” gouge. The inverted gouge has sides that are thicker than the centerline; that is, the gouge tapers laterally, but from each side towards the centerline. The inverted gouge has built-in form, with a strong center resilience; this allows the reed to be trimmed weaker in the center, providing quicker response to air, without danger of collapse, because the form is built in.

Lou made many other gouge variants. Some of these were different forms of lateral variations, and others were “longitudinal” or front-to-back variations. For more information click the buttons below.