Are you checking your reed petals for signs of normal wear? You should be. A reed petal is a wear item, and as such should be checked regularly for signs of wear and fraying. A reed petal is opening and closing 144 times per second at 8,000 RPM, so it's understandable reeds can wear. If wear and/or fraying is visible, it's time to replace your reed petals to maintain peak engine performance.