Hey everyone! I'm looking for the overall best oboe reed. What are some brands that y'all like? I'm looking for one that is consistent and reliable. At the moment I'm using Marlin Lesher. However, I have used Emerald but they don't seem to last as long. So could y'all just give me some brands that you like? Thanks!

P.S I'm from South Carolina so sorry for the "Heys" and "Y'alls"! (^:

I don't play Oboe very often, but I do use handmade reeds. Either from my brother or this person;

http://mklreeds.com/

They also offer books on how to make your own. I know others use other makers they are very happy with.

Hand made reeds are always the best. Try and find someone local ( ie teacher, professor, performer) to make you some =].

O.k thanks!

COOPER WRIGHT REEDS
CASCADE REEDS
GOOD TONE GUILD

If you can't make on or get someone to make one for you I would say use:
Weber, HB Reeds, or Double Reed Girl.

For factory-made reeds, I had the most consistent results with Jones. One of the least expensive places online to get oboe reeds is www.advantage-usa.com. After I found that website, I bought a few brands of reeds. I really liked the Allan Concert reeds. I think the Stuart Dunkel reeds were pretty good too. I usually make my own reeds now, but I keep breaking my wrist, so then I have to buy handmade reeds. I usually get my reeds from www.mmimports.com. If you call them, you can tell them your situation and what you need the reeds for, and they can recommend the best reed for you. I think www.charlesmusic.com and www.forrestsmusic.com have some handmade reeds too.

I'll have to give Jones a try. I think my local music store sells them. thanks!

musicaholic440: Take care of your wrist!!

Just a word for those concerned about a single reed Oboe & Bassoon Mouthpiece. They were originally design for repairman. This allowed them to check the instrument when repairing it. It was never really meant to be used in performance. But I guess only us old-timers would know that.

I use Jones medium hard of the European style, but I fix them first to suit me. I usually get a better reed then the reeds I do by myself.

For factory-made, I reccommend: 1st- Eastman/ 2nd- Emerald/ 3rd- Faxx
For home-made/ hand-made, I reccommend this: reedmaker.com/index.html

Eastman and Emerald reeds are European Reeds, while the Faxx reeds are American. I personally prefer European reeds.

And, use this website to find out some more info, too: http://www.britanniareeds.com/_page.asp?code=0001000200010007&sid=246&stitle=Help%20with%20Choosing%20Your%20Oboe%20Reeds

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Eurpoean Reeds are used for better control and tone of low notes, while American is used for high. I play loads of high notes, but I still use European...

Eh, don't do what I do.

Let me rephrase this;

What are the best reeds for a BEGINNER?

10 yo boy.

Not too expensive, of course, but easy to play/learn with, and durable (as durable as they get...which ain't much!).

I'm guessing they'd be factory made, but which ones?

I believe my first reed was a soft... Jones? It had a white string color around it. It worked pretty well.

Hi,

I get my oboe reeds from an australian company i think (y)

i think they are very good but very expensive

if you become a professional player, the best place to get your reeds it to make your own because the reeds are specific to you

here is the link to kge-reeds:

good luck (:

I agree with those who recommend handmade reeds. Factory built reeds are cut from slab and are practically spewn together on machines. Handmade reeds are sculpted by real people who actually know what anatomy an oboe reed is supposed to have.

Do you have a private instructor? It would be a good idea to get reeds from him/her. Not only will the reeds be handmade, but different reeds work best for different people. So your private instructor should be able to customize certain reeds to fit your embouchure.

Good luck!