Which Reed Should You Pick?

First-Time Beginner Reeds

• Scraped to make a sound and play easily.  Not scraped for tone or stability, but for sound production to encourage the beginning oboist who may or may not have a top quality instrument.

  • shape ranges from original to model 3 shapes​

  • Softer local Texas Cane used to produce

  • Shorter life span due to beginner habits

  • Affordability first, tone later

  • Tie on 71-72mm

  • 47mm brass staple

 

Original Reeds 

• A reed made with dark colors and easy response.

  • Red thread SprinkleReed​/Purple thread Student

  • gouged .58-.60mm in center

  • 47mm brass staple

  • tie on 71.5-72mm

  • RNS Mac+ Shape

 

Model 2 Reeds

• Smaller more focused sound with a narrower shape.

  • White thread SprinkleReed/Black thread​ Student

  • gouged .58-.60mm in center

  • 47mm brass staple

  • tie on 71-72mm

  • RNS RDG -1N Shape

 

Model 3 Reeds

• A wider shaped reed with a slightly lower and deeper sound.  More full overall. 

  • Green thread​

  • gouged .57-.59mm in center

  • 47mm brass staple

  • tie on 72-73mm

  • RNS Joshua 2+ shape

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​Model 4 Reeds

• Widest reed that I make.  Good if you are transitioning from a wider store bought reed.  Flexible sound with deeper tone.  ​

  • Yellow thread​

  • gouged .56-.59 in center

  • 47mm brass staple

  • tie on 72.5-73.5mm

  • RNS RDG -1 shape

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English Horn Reeds

• A narrow American scraped English Horn reed that holds pitch really well and is focused on stability.

  • Thread color varies​

  • Rigotti gouged cane

  • Coehlo Shape (Hand-shaped)

  • 27mm staple

  • Tie on 58mm total length

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Oboe D'amore Reeds

• An American scraped reed focused on stability and honing in a sweeter sound on an instrument that can be brighter than the other oboes in the family.

  • Thread color varies​

  • Rigotti gouged cane

  • Rigotti 2 (hand-shaped)

  • 25mm staple

  • Tie length can vary depending on current weather trends.