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Don't Let Your Reeds Stop You
Should I make my own reeds or buy them? The dilemma for both amateurs and some pros. What are the considerations? Here are some answers.
Vendors for Reeds and Reedmaking Supplies
Note: you may need to try several reed makers before you find reeds that work for you.
There are many, many dealers and vendors and it may be difficult to know where to begin shopping. Most purchases are make online or by mail without the advantage of viewing the item in advance. In an effort to maximize your satisfaction here are some of the people with whom I and trusted colleagues have had good dealings.
- Oboe Cane & Reeds
- OC&R by Dunkel and Severson. A distinguished supplier of cane, reeds, and accessories for musical instruments. Highest quality, competitive prices.
- WEBER REEDS
- David and Vendla Weber are excellent,caring people who are distinguished by their credentials,range of services and true customer relations. Among other things they sell: Accessories, Books, Music, Videos, Cane, CDs,Instruments,Bells, Reed Cases, Reed Making Equip., Reeds, and other needed services.
Please check them out. - Albert Alphin Wind Instruments
- Albert Alphin carries some of the finest equipment and accessories. I doubt that you will find any item that is inferior in its class. He seems to know what is good and what isn't. He has an amazing selection of reeds, reedknives, metronomes, tuners and gadgets for the oboe. He also repairs oboes.
- Oboe Reeds - Handmade at MKL Reeds
- Handmade oboe reeds at MKL Reeds.
Freedom and Peace of Mind... All From Your Oboe Reeds. - Forrests-Double Reed Specialist: Oboe Reeds,Bassoon Reeds,Double Reed Supplies
- The good choice for double reed supplies, English horn reeds and oboe reeds; tools needed for your double reed needs.
- Woodwind & Brasswind
- Oboes and oboe gear
- Roger Miller ROM Double Reeds HOME
- Roger Miller ROM Double Reeds Oboe and English Horn Reed and Cane. New Jersey native, Roger Miller, holds degrees from Miami University (Ohio) and has studied oboe with Charles Lehrer, Louis Rosenblatt, Dennis Larson, and Marc Lifschey. He currently plays 2nd oboe with the Dayton Philharmonic. Roger
- Fred Korman: Desert Fred's Oboe Reeds
- I am offering professional quality oboe reeds for sale. I make these reeds with the same care and precision as the reeds I used in my 28-year career as Principal Oboe with the Oregon Symphony.
Oboe reeds: $25 each, pre-paid orders only. - David Schast Reed Service & Supply: About Us
- Handmade oboe, English horn and oboe d'amour reeds. Oboe supplies, accessories, music, recordings tools.
- Advantage Woodwind Double Reeds
- Woodwind instrument accessories for oboes, English horns,. Advantage USA in Albuquerque is dedicated to serving musicians, school programs, community bands.
- Oboe Reeds, Professional, Standard & Bassoon Reeds: Graham Reeds
- Graham Reeds are recognized as a premium alternative to most commercially available oboe reeds: no machines are used in finishing.
- The Reedery
- The Reedery
Oboe reeds and cane
Reedmaking photos - Tabby Toes Reeds (homepage)
- Reeds by Kathryn Fields DiCola
As a professional oboist with much experience as a soloist, chamber musician and orchestral player, I know the importance of warm sounding, free-blowing, stable reeds for the oboe, English horn and oboe - Cascade Oboe Reeds, Eugene, Oregon: Cheryl Wefler
- Cane and double reeds for oboe and English horn custom hand made by Cheryl Urycki Wefler in Eugene, Oregon.
- The Reedmaker Reed Shop
- Reed shop: quality oboe and English horn reeds to the professional and student oboist!
- Cooper Wright Reeds
- reeds
Possible New Reed Supplier
I have not tried his reeds but they sound interesting:
Chicago Reed Company, Bob Morgan, owner, offers you an opportunity to sample our extraordinary reeds at a special introductory price to first time customers until June 1, 2009. Pro Reeds regularly priced at $20-- NOW $15. Elite Reeds regularly priced at $30 -NOW $25. Oboe d'amore & English Horn Reeds regularly priced at $35 NOW $30 QUANTITY DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE. Purchase 5-9 reeds, receive ADDITIONAL 10% DISCOUNT Purchase 10 or more reeds, receive ADDITIONAL 15% DISCOUNT As we are in the midst of rebuilding our website, please contact us at this EMAIL chicagoreedcompany5@gmail.com or by phone at 847-328-2492. Bob Morgan, owner of Chicago Reed Company is on the faculty of Northwestern University and is a member of the Lyric Opera of Chicago Orchestra. A former student of John Mack, Ray Still and Marc Lifschey, he is proud to include Frank Rosenwein, principal oboist of the Cleveland Orchestra as a long time former student. Take advantage of this great opportunity.
Chicago Reed Company, Bob Morgan, owner, offers you an opportunity to sample our extraordinary reeds at a special introductory price to first time customers until June 1, 2009. Pro Reeds regularly priced at $20-- NOW $15. Elite Reeds regularly priced at $30 -NOW $25. Oboe d'amore & English Horn Reeds regularly priced at $35 NOW $30 QUANTITY DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE. Purchase 5-9 reeds, receive ADDITIONAL 10% DISCOUNT Purchase 10 or more reeds, receive ADDITIONAL 15% DISCOUNT As we are in the midst of rebuilding our website, please contact us at this EMAIL chicagoreedcompany5@gmail.com or by phone at 847-328-2492. Bob Morgan, owner of Chicago Reed Company is on the faculty of Northwestern University and is a member of the Lyric Opera of Chicago Orchestra. A former student of John Mack, Ray Still and Marc Lifschey, he is proud to include Frank Rosenwein, principal oboist of the Cleveland Orchestra as a long time former student. Take advantage of this great opportunity.
Reminder! Ordering Reeds:
Order early and often. Order multiples. Be prepared.
Reedmakers without Websites
- Zia Double Reeds
Darrel Randall, maker
email: RrErDr@aol.com - Robert & Bailey Sorton
The Sorton Reed Works,
5849 Lafayette Rd.,
Granville, OH 43023-9480,
phone# (740) 587-1603,
fax # (740) 587-0752.
He requests call during business hours only, M-F, 9-5.
For those who purchase reeds and prepared cane
Why you need to know something about reeds
How do you know if the reed you just purchased is any good?
This can be a problem if you don't know anything about reedmaking and/or if you are a beginner. This is the reason that you need to work with a professional oboist/reedmaker who can guide you.
I also recommend a micrometer to measure the prepared cane and a tuner to evaluate the pitch of the reed.
This can be a problem if you don't know anything about reedmaking and/or if you are a beginner. This is the reason that you need to work with a professional oboist/reedmaker who can guide you.
I also recommend a micrometer to measure the prepared cane and a tuner to evaluate the pitch of the reed.
- Ask your teacher and other oboists you know to see who the "hot" reedmakers are today. Quality does fluctuate.
- Try several makers.
- Purchase at least three reeds from a maker to get a large enough sample on which to base your impressions.
- Some reed makers will replace reeds until you are satisfied, other will replace reeds if you find a defect (leaks, cracks) and some reedmakers have a no return or refund policy.
- Don't expect all of the reeds to work. If you get two out three reeds that play for you that is pretty good.
- Follow the reed makers' soaking instructions. Some reeds require a lot of soaking, others just a quick wetting.
- Try to find a reed maker who takes feedback and will try to adjust to your needs with your next order.
"Why don't I like these reeds? They don't seem the same as last time.... Help!!"
Common reasons that reeds just don't work when they arrive at your doorstep:
Two types of problems: defects and differences of opinion
Defects are objective (don't buy more of these)
Differences of opinion are subjective. You decide if the reed is worth the trouble or not.
Differences of opinion are subjective. You decide if the reed is worth the trouble or not.
- cracked reed-defect
- leaks after soaking - defect
- tied over the top of tube - defect
- reed very closed - defect/possible difference of opinion
- reed is incredibly open - defect/or difference of opinion
- reed plays too flat or sharp -defect or difference of opinion
- the tip of the reed flares out at the sides even when fully soaked - defect
- you don't like the tone - difference of opinion
- upper notes sag - defect, difference of opinion
- low notes don't respond - defect or difference of opinion
- reed too stiff or weak - defect or difference of opinion
- Gouging flaws or inconsistencies - defect but more skill and measurements are required to verify
- Shaping flaws- defect, some skill and measurements are required to verify
Common reasons the differences of opinions arise with purchased reeds and cane
Everybody is not the same
- The reed maker made the reed for his oboe, not yours.
- The reed maker made the reed for his sound concept, not yours.
- The reedmaker made the reed for his lips and air pressure, not yours.
- The reed didn't leak in the climate where the reed was made, but it leaks now.
- The reed is too flat, or sharp. Again, the reedmaker used a gouge, shape and scrape that work for him on his oboe, etc.
- The reed doesn't respond well enough or is too heavy....
- You can't get a good reed out of this cane. The reedmaker may use a gouge that is too thick or thin for your style.
- You can't get a good reed with this shaped cane. Perhaps the shaped cane is too narrow or wide and incompatible with your instrument or the altitude of your city or the amount of lip pressure you use.
Reasons to Make your own Reeds
Take control
- You can make a reed that feels comfortable to you.
- You become self-reliant.
- You can control the quality every step of the way.
- You can make changes to the gouge, shape and scrape that match your instrument.
- You can adjust your reeds to fit the hall, or the music.
- The best commercial reeds are very expensive.
Sometimes you can get good deals on eBay
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
Core literature on reed making, American style
The Reed Maker's Manual: Step-By-Step Instructions for Making Oboe and English Horn Reeds
Amazon Price: (as of 12/11/2009) 
Art of Oboe Reed Making
Amazon Price: (as of 12/11/2009)
The oboe reed book: A straight-talking guide to making and understanding oboe reeds
Amazon Price: (as of 12/11/2009)
Oboe Reed Styles: Theory and Practice
Amazon Price: (as of 12/11/2009)
Oboe reed making: A modern method
Amazon Price: (as of 12/11/2009)
Reed knife sharpening: A guide for reed makers
Amazon Price: (as of 12/11/2009)
additional resources
Share ideas with other reedmakers.
- Welcome to IDRS
- The International Double Reed Society is the
worldwide organization of double reed (oboe and bassoon family) players, instrument manufacturers and enthusiasts. All seriously interested students others should be familiar with the IDRS: subscribe to the journal, check the forum, podcasts, videocasts and conventions. Meet others interested in the same things that interest you. - Making Oboe Reeds
- Let's talk about making oboe reeds. A good reedmaking forum and excellent eBook on making reeds.
- The Oboe BBoard
- The Oboe Bulliten Board:
Follow sometimes interesting helpful and or humorous commentary on oboe with other oboists worldwide. Ask your question and see what you get! - Oboe Reeds :: Bassoon Reeds :: Guaranteed Reeds
- Good Tone Guild Oboe Bassoon Double Reeds
- SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT OBOE REEDS
- SOME THOUGHTS
ABOUT OBOE REEDS - PLANTACIONES / Argendonax SRL
- Lovely photos of cane growing in Argentina
- Colorado Reed Company - Handmade Oboe Reeds, English Horn Reeds - Denver, Colorado
- The Colorado Reed Company makes and sells handmade oboe and English horn reeds. Each reed is custom made for its purchaser, whether that person be a student or a professional, or anything in-between.
- Oboe Reed Reviews
- Oboe Reed Reviews
Interested in Trying to Adjust Your Own Reeds
Basic Decision Trees
- Oboe Reed FAQ - Stellar Oboe Products
- If you purchase reeds, these are simple and probably generally effective suggestions for making small adjustment on your own.
by annoboe
Ann Rosandich is an experienced professional oboe performer, teacher and reedmaker. She was appointed solo English horn of the New Mexico Sympho... (more)
