Can reeds "spoil" over time even if you don't use them?

[Eye_Of_The_Liger]

Ok, I'm a tenor player... well, actually I haven't played in about 3 years but I wanna get back into it. Anyway, I'm beginning to realize that despite the long time that I had been playing (about 15 years or so) before I stopped, there's still some basic shit that I don't really know about playing the sax, even though I was actually really good at one point. Like, for example, the title of this thread. I ask because I had bought a whole new box of reeds not long before I stopped, so I'm wondering if I should get new reeds when I finally do get back around to picking it up again.

Sorry if my post seems a little wordy...

[AntiStuff]

Umm, I think they should be good. I don't play a whole lot anymore, and I have a box of reeds that's over 4 years old and they seem ok.

[Piñata Tsunami]

I have reeds that are 15 years old. They taste a little dusty, but seem otherwise fine. :freak:

[sunburstbasser]

If they haven't been exposed and were left in the pack, they might be OK. You might have a few warped reeds, but hopefully at least a few will be playable.

And, reeds aren't too pricey if they aren't in that great a shape.