What are long-plate reeds?
Long-plate reeds are the original type of reeds used in bandonions and chemnitzers, and are generally the most desirable type of chemnitzer reed. Long-plate reeds are reeds that are riveted in groups (often 20 or sometimes more) to zinc or aluminum plates. These plates are then screwed to the wooden reed blocks, with leather gaskets for air-tightness. The tone is also affected by the fact that long-plate reeds are usually nearly rectangular in shape, and the reed blocks for long-plate reeds are lighter in weight than those for other types.
