Professional Oboe Reeds

UNLOCK YOUR BEST SOUND, FASTER
Tired of inconsistent reeds holding you back? We specialize in making high-quality, professional oboe and English horn reeds designed for consistent performance. Whether you're a student honing your skills or a seasoned pro, our reeds are precision-crafted to help you sound your best, every time.

Get playing sooner! We make getting your reeds easy and fast. Most orders ship the same or next business day, meaning less waiting and more playing for you.
Don't compromise on your sound. Order your reeds today!

YOUR PATH TO A BETTER SOUND: MEET THE REEDMAKER
Ready for reeds that truly perform? Our oboe reeds are crafted not just by an artisan, but by a world-class musician who understands your needs from the inside out.
Meet our reedmaker: a distinguished oboist with a background from Lincoln Center and direct studies under oboe legends Alex Klein and Humbert Lucarelli.

What makes his reeds exceptional? It's simple: he's not just a reedmaker. He's an active international soloist and a highly sought-after oboe teacher. This means every reed benefits from his professional performance insight and deep understanding of what makes a reed feel great and sound incredible, whether you're on stage or in the practice room.

Get the consistency, response, and confidence you deserve. Discover the unique background of the expert behind your reeds:
About the Reed Maker

REED GEOMETRY AND MATERIAL INTEGRITY
Our professional oboe reeds are crafted in accordance with the American scraping style, characterized by a strong structural framework. This framework includes a sturdy spine and thick, durable rails, all designed to ensure optimal structural integrity. The tip of the reed features a unique V-shape, which has a slightly more horizontal profile.
Key features of our reed geometry include a generous heart, a robust spine, and side rails primarily made from retained bark. The windows are clearly defined, smoothly transitioning into the heart area.

BARK UTILIZATION PHILOSOPHY
Think of the bark on our reeds as the strong muscles of the cane.
Unlike some reed-making philosophies that suggest removing a lot of bark, we take a different approach by keeping it intact. We understand that bark is the densest and toughest part of the cane, so we intentionally preserve it to create the main structural support of the reed.
Just like in construction, where strong materials are used for load-bearing elements, we use bark—the most durable part of the cane—as the key structural component instead of the lighter pulp. This method ensures that our reeds maintain their integrity and perform at their best. Surprisingly, keeping the bark doesn’t make the reeds heavier; instead, it actually gives them a lighter feel and greater comfort while playing.

You can truly appreciate this quality when you try them out for yourself!

PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS
Our reeds are designed to provide maximum comfort and enhance your playing experience. They offer stable intonation, reliable response across all dynamics and registers, a rich, dark tone, and impressive projection.
We believe that oboe reeds should empower you, not hold you back. Whether you want to play boldly at a forte or delicately at a pianissimo, these reeds allow you to express yourself fully. Don’t let your oboe reeds set limitations; instead, let them support you in pushing your boundaries and reaching new heights in your playing.

MEASUREMENTS
Finished reeds measure between 68mm and 69mm in length, consistently producing a "C" crow at A=440 Hz. The distinct "Lucarelli" shape, developed by Humbert Lucarelli, represents a synthesis of the "Mack-1" and "Bloom" shapes. Lucarelli characterized this innovative profile as "a combination that capitalizes on Mack's stability and Bloom's warmth," aiming to integrate the inherent attributes of both foundational designs.

ARGENDONAX CUSTOM STAPLES
At Argendonax, we take pride in creating our own 47-mm brass thin-wall tapered staples.
Contrary to what many believe, traditional cork staples aren't necessarily more durable or longer-lasting than our modern synthetic options. It's also worth questioning the idea that cork is the best material for conducting sound waves.
While tradition has its place, it doesn't always lead to the best technical solutions. In fact, sticking too closely to tradition can sometimes hold us back from making progress.
We want to emphasize that our professional synthetic reed staples match, if not exceed, the quality and performance of traditional cork reed staples. It's important to approach tradition with a critical eye and embrace the innovations that modern technology brings to oboe reed making. By doing this, we can explore new possibilities and elevate our reed-making experience.

BREAKING NEWS! ☉_☉ Your Oboe Playing Just Got a Little Easier!
Ever feel like you need a rock-hard, unyielding oboe reed to finally get that rich, big, "wow" sound? Like you're constantly fighting your reed, just hoping it'll eventually cooperate?
Guess what? You’ve been lied to.
Seriously! We're here to tell you a secret: You don't need a torture device in your mouth to sound world-class. You can actually create that dark, powerful tone using a reed that's incredibly comfortable and flexible.
Introducing our MEDIUM/SOFT REEDS!
Yes, you heard that right. Forget the struggle. These babies are designed to give you that top-tier sound, but with a level of comfort you might not believe is possible. Imagine playing for hours without feeling like your face is going to fall off!
Don't believe us? We get it. It sounds too good to be true, right?
But seriously, don't just take our word for it. We dare you to listen for yourself:

**IMPORTANT LISTENING TIP
Before you dive into our reed sound samples, a quick tip to ensure you hear every detail:
Your phone/laptop speakers? Bless their hearts, but they just can't handle the full sound these reeds create. They'll miss all the nuances, the rich tones, the full power. To truly appreciate what these reeds can do, grab your best headphones or hook up to a good audio system. You won't want to miss a single drop of this sound!
-Click the link below and hear our MEDIUM/SOFT REEDS in action. Your embouchure will thank you:
My Arrangement of Highland Cathedral using a Medium/Soft reed

TIRED OF "Meh" REEDS? THEN TRY OUR MEDIUM REEDS
We know the struggle is real – finding that good reed can feel like searching for a unicorn. But guess what? We think might have caught one!
These aren't just "medium" reeds; they're a very solid sweet spot: Think of them as the great blend – smooth enough if you like a slightly heavier Medium/Soft, but with enough backbone if you prefer a lighter Medium/Hard.
It's like getting the best of both worlds, without any of the compromise!
The result? A reed that's balanced, super responsive, and just feels right. It's technically precise, but also intuitive to play, letting your music truly shine. No more fighting your reed – just pure, beautiful sound projection.
But don't just take our word for it!
We insist you hear what these bad boys can do. We've put them to the test, and the proof is in the playing.
-Headphones or audio system again:
our Medium Oboe and E. horn Reeds in the same piece!

Alright, oboe friends – feeling brave? Ready to push your limits?
Then listen up, because our MEDIUM HARD REEDS are calling your name!
These aren't your beginner-friendly, 'play-it-safe' reeds. They're designed to make you work a little, giving you that satisfying resistance that serious players crave. Think of it as the GOLD's GYM for your playing.
But here's the payoff – that extra effort unlocks a seriously deep, rich, and uniquely darker tone. We're talking velvety lows and powerful projection that'll make your sound truly stand out from the crowd.
If you're an ambitious player who's ready to stop messing around and truly Own your Sound, then it's time to give these a go. Upgrade your tone, challenge yourself, and unleash the full potential of your instrument. You won't regret it!
-Guess what, headphones again :)
our Medium/Hard Oboe and E. horn Reeds in the same piece!

SUMMARY:
- All reeds are sterilized before shipping.
- Our reeds are known for their strong and structured American scrape.
- We use our own 47-mm brass thin-wall custom Argendonax tapered staples.
- The tube cane we use 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 only use 100% organic Argendonax cane, sourced from vintage cane harvested in 2010.
- We're basically speed demons when it comes to shipping! We're talking lightning-fast dispatch – usually same or next business day

HARDNESS COMBO
Got a specific hardness combo in mind for your 3-reed bundle? No problem! Just drop a quick note in the "notes or instructions" section when you check out. We're here to make your life easier.

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.

RETURNS & EXCHANGES POLICY
Reed Worries? We Got Your Back! Our Super Simple Guarantee!
We pour our heart and soul into crafting every single oboe reed. We're talking serious passion and precision here, because we know how crucial a good reed is to your playing (and your sanity!).
So, while we're obsessed with quality, sometimes, despite our best efforts, things happen: Maybe a reed took a tumble in shipping, or it just arrived with a structural problem that makes it unplayable right out of the box.
DO-NOT-PANIC!
Got a problem? Tell us FAST! You've got 7 days (it can be longer, no worries) from the moment your reeds land in your hands to give us a shout if something's off. Don't wait!
What's the fix? If you reach out within that week about a GENUINE STRUCTURAL issue, we're super happy to either:
-Send you a gleaming new replacement reed
Or
-Give you a full refund. Your choice!
BUT WAIT! (This part is very important, fellow oboists!)
**This awesome guarantee is specifically for reeds that are still in their original, untouched condition. Think of it like this:
-If you've taken your trusty reed knife to it...
Or
-started messing around with the cane (we get it, it's tempting!)
Or
-basically altered it in any way...
then that reed is OFFICIALLY YOURS, with all its unique quirks! We can't accept returns for reeds that have been scraped, clipped, or otherwise modified. It's just the nature of the beast, you know?
So, unwrap your reeds, give them a good once-over, and if anything seems off before you start adjusting, let us know ASAP! We want you to love every single reed you get from us.

SHIPPING
‎We make it a priority to offer efficient service and aim to ship orders promptly, usually within the same or next business day.
Now, for the one tiny exception:
Once a year, usually in the summer, we ditch the shipping labels for stage lights and go film some epic music videos overseas!
During this annual rockstar hiatus, your order might take a tiny bit longer to reach you – think a couple of extra weeks. We know, it's a drag, but hey, it's for a good cause (our creative souls!). We promise we'll be back to our lightning-fast ways ASAP.

Thanks for bearing with our occasional rock 'n' roll detour – your patience helps fuel our inner divas! （ ͡° ل͜ ͡°)