Professional Oboe Reeds

We specialize in the creation of meticulously crafted professional oboe reeds, catering to both students and professionals. Our offerings extend to a wide range of high-quality oboe and English horn reeds. Take advantage of this opportunity and place your order today!

（ ͡° ل͜ ͡°）When it comes to shipping, we prioritize efficiency and aim to dispatch orders on the same or next business day, ensuring prompt delivery to our customers.

THE REEDMAKER
Our exceptional oboe reeds are meticulously handcrafted by a distinguished artist from Lincoln Center, who has also had the privilege of being a student under the tutelage of renowned oboists Alex Klein and Humbert Lucarelli.
About the Reed Maker

OBOE & E. HORN REEDS VIDEO
We cordially invite you to experience the harmonious convergence of our oboe and English horn reeds in this captivating musical composition. By listening to both types of reeds, you will have the opportunity to appreciate the unique timbral and expressive capabilities of our oboe and English horn reeds:
Listen to our Oboe and E. horn Reeds' sound in the same piece!

HEALTH
（ ͡° ل͜ ͡°）人（ ͡° ل͜ ͡° ) Ensuring the well-being of our customers is of utmost importance to us, which is why we consistently utilize 100% organic cane during the manufacturing process of our reeds. Regrettably, COVID-19 has become a persistent presence in our lives, and it is crucial that we remain vigilant and take necessary precautions.
As an additional measure to guarantee your satisfaction, we would like to inform you that each reed and its accompanying case undergo a thorough sterilization process.

PROJECTION:
The importance of projection cannot be overstated. In contemporary times, numerous "professional" oboe reeds vendors on the market, claim to possess a robust and powerful sound akin to Schwarzenegger's shotgun. However, these claims often fall short, as these reeds tend to produce a small and feeble tone. While they may sound satisfactory within the confines of a practice room, their performance in the midst of a full orchestra is questionable.
In contrast, our oboe reeds are meticulously designed to produce a rich and dark sound that effortlessly cuts through the texture of any orchestra or ensemble. We prioritize the balance between darkness and powerful projection, ensuring that our reeds deliver the desired impact in a professional setting.

REED STRUCTURE:
Our collection of Professional oboe reeds adheres to the American style, featuring a meticulously blended scrape. Our reeds boast a V-shaped tip, slightly horizontal in nature, as depicted in the accompanying images. They are characterized by an ample heart, a robust and sturdy spine and side rails, and well-defined windows that seamlessly integrate with the heart.
Comfort is paramount, and our reeds are designed to provide a comfortable playing experience. They offer a stable pitch, exceptional performance in both the low and high registers, a dark and resonant sound, and remarkable projection.
Upon completion, the length of our reeds ranges from 68 to 69mm, allowing them to produce a "C" crow at 440 Hertz. Our particular shape, known as the "Lucarelli" shape, is a fusion of the "Mack-1" and "Bloom" shapes. Humbert Lucarelli, the innovator behind this avant-garde shape, eloquently described it as "a combination that capitalizes on Mack's stability and Bloom's warmth."

STAPLES:
We take pride in crafting our own 47-mm brass thin-wall custom Argendonax bullet-shaped staples. Contrary to popular belief, traditional cork staples do not possess superior durability or longevity compared to our modern synthetic alternatives. Additionally, it is important to question the notion that cork serves as an effective conductor of sound waves. While tradition often holds significant value, it is essential to recognize that it may not always provide optimal technical solutions. In certain instances, adherence to tradition can impede progress rather than facilitate it.
It is important to reiterate that our professional synthetic reed staples are on par with, if not superior to, traditional cork reed staples in terms of quality and performance. It is crucial to approach tradition with a critical mindset and embrace the advancements offered by modern technology in the realm of oboe reed making. By doing so, we can unlock new possibilities and enhance our overall reed-making experience.

BREAKING NEWS ☉_☉ MEDIUM/SOFT REEDS
Contrary to popular belief, achieving a rich and melodious sound does not necessitate the use of a rigid, harsh, or unyieldingly stiff oboe reed. We are excited to announce that it is possible to produce a dark, world-class sound using a remarkably comfortable and supple reed.
If you have any doubts, we invite you to listen to our Medium/Soft reeds in action. By experiencing the sound produced by these reeds firsthand, you can gain a better understanding of their unique qualities and determine if they align with your preferences and playing style.
Bach partita BWV 1015 using our Medium/Soft reed

MEDIUM REEDS
We extend an invitation for you to immerse yourself in the captivating sound produced by our Professional Medium Oboe Reeds. These reeds offer a highly subjective experience, as they can be perceived as a slightly heavier Medium/Soft reed or a lighter Medium/Hard reed. In essence, they represent a skillful amalgamation of the best attributes from both hardness worlds, resulting in a unique and technically balanced reed. We encourage you to listen and discern the nuanced qualities that make our Professional Medium Oboe Reeds truly exceptional:
Listen to our Medium Oboe and E. horn Reeds' sound in the same piece!

MEDIUM/HARD REEDS
Are you up for a challenge? Why not consider trying our Medium/Hard Reeds? They offer a slightly higher level of difficulty, providing a uniquely darker tone for those seeking a more ambitious approach.
Listen to our Medium/Hard Reeds' sound

IN SUMMARY
- We sterilize all our reeds before shipping
- Our reeds feature an exceptionally strong and structured American scrape
- Our own 47-mm brass thin-wall custom Argendonax bullet-shaped staples
- The tube cane used has a diameter ranging from 10.5 to 11mm
- The finished length of our reeds measures between 68 and 69mm
- The C-crow pitch is set at 440 hertz
- We exclusively use 100% organic Argendonax cane, sourced from vintage cane harvested in 2010
- We strive to ship your order promptly, typically on the same or next business day

HARDNESS COMBO
If you would like to include a combination of different reed hardnesses in the 3-reed bundle, simply add a comment in the designated "notes or instructions" section during the ordering process.

ADJUSTING
As an oboe player, you are well aware of the delicate nature of new reeds. They are highly susceptible to changes in moisture, dry weather, temperature, altitude, and other factors that can alter their characteristics over time, including during shipping. Therefore, it is important to remain open to making minor adjustments to ensure that the reeds adapt perfectly to your individual playing style.
¯\_( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)_/¯ Once again, we kindly request your willingness to make minor adjustments, as this will allow the reeds to seamlessly align with your unique playing preferences

STRING CROSSOVER
In our experience, we have found that all our reeds should be playable with the string crossover side facing in either direction. The specific location of the crossover should not impact the overall performance of the reeds we make.

SEAL TEST
Many individuals utilize a common leak test by wetting the reed, pinching the tip, and blowing air towards the tip from the bottom of the staple.
Our reed-making technique has been meticulously honed with the guidance of our esteemed mentors Ray Still, Bert Lucarelli, and Alex Klein. They have cautioned against pinching the blades to prevent small cracks at the tip, instead recommending covering the bottom of the staple with a finger while applying suction onto the blades. This method is deemed safer due to the stronger pressure exerted by the fingertips compared to the lips, which could potentially result in micro cracks at the tip of the reed. Over time, these nearly imperceptible cracks may worsen, leading to the blades cracking at the very tip.

¯\_( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)_/¯ It is strongly advised against pinching our reed blades with the fingertips, as this action may cause premature cracking of the tip.

SOAKING
To fully appreciate the exceptional quality of our reeds, it is important to note that our reeds may require a longer soaking time compared to other brands. We strongly recommend soaking our reeds for a minimum of three minutes in lukewarm water. Properly soaking oboe reeds is crucial: under-soaked reeds may leak, not crow, and feel stiff; while over-soaked reeds can become swollen and resemble a bassoon reed, making them near impossible to play on.
Factors such as season, humidity levels, elevation, geographical location, sudden temperature changes, and the type of water used can all impact the soaking time of our oboe reeds. For instance, hard water, which can be alkaline, may hinder reeds from absorbing water correctly, while soft water, containing calcium, magnesium, and more sodium, can expedite the soaking process. Some oboists opt to use highly purified or natural spring water to soak their reeds to achieve optimal results.
It is important to note that finding the right soaking time may require some trial and error, as it can vary depending on your specific geographical location and the type of water used. However, initially and until you become accustomed to our reeds, we recommend soaking for at least three minutes.

OUR GUARANTEE
We stand behind the quality of our reeds and offer a guarantee against any structural deficiencies. If you encounter any issues with your reeds within 7 days of purchase, you are welcome to return them for a replacement, provided that the reeds have not been altered or modified in any way. Please note that we cannot accept returns for reeds that have been scraped or modified.

SHIPPING
‎（ ͡° ل͜ ͡°) We make it a priority to offer efficient service and aim to ship orders promptly, usually within the same or next business day.

Don't miss out on the opportunity to purchase our professional reeds! Experience unrivaled expert advice and exceptional quality products by placing your order online today!