by Rick » Mon Sep 08, 2014 3:00 pm
I'd call it a reference mark where you might want to line up wedge and toneboard. Some will find it just right, while others will want more or less reed exposed to lower or heighten pitch. How far the guts are then pushed into the insert will then have similar effect by tightening (crisper and seeming higher) or loosening (buzzier or seeming lower) the wedge's grip on the reed. Since Mark at Gander Valley shaves his reeds they're a bit thinner and, therefore, the guts are apt to seat deeper in his inserts than others might.
Fwiw, short calls like the XXX are generally a bit tougher to get the hang of than longer ones but wicked quick once you do. You'll have a PM shortly.