First Chair Professional Oboe Reeds: Handmade

Best Quality Oboe Reeds. Made With Premium M-MH/Regular Density Oboe Cane. All-Weather. 

First Chair Professional Oboe Reeds are handmade from scratch. Reeds have a beautiful tone, medium resistance and are well balanced for pitch and stability. They are made with my my choice of two sister brands of cane (Vic and Rouche) purchased in 2019 from the Frejus region of France. Their differences are subtle, but my discretion gives me the ability to achieve best results at any point in time. They both have regular density, but differ in strength range. I have some of the last Rouche tube cane available anywhere in the world making us both extremely fortunate.

Professional  Model includes full spectrum of function through Elite level capability. Offers extra nuance and an additional quality sort.  Pricing reflects relative difficulty in working with cane with this strength and density.

Construction/Scrape:

Oboe Cane: Cane is drawn from our best Frejus Region cane inventory based on real time results (Vic or Rouche). Cane strength is medium to medium hard with a regular higher density. Diameters are 10.5 and 11 with extra sort for somewhat  larger size apertures within the batch. Gouge: Kunibert gouge @.60/.45 (small adjustments for cane density and  seasonality). Shape: Mack++ or similar. Aperture size selection for directional purposes only.

Staple: Professional Chiarugi staple 47mm 2+ 

Blank Tie Length: 72 - 72.5 mm.

Finished Reed Length: @ 69.5-70 mm.

Signature American long scrape.  Customized scrape. Moderately defined tip. Heart 42-.43 in thickness.  Moderate windows, defined heart/back with catch. Moderate spine. Professional level tone and response. 

Finishing Touches:  

• Dozens of micro adjustments prior to certification and ship. 
• Cane is hand tied on staple for mount with precision alignment not possible with machine.
• Tested on my choice of Loree or Howarth XL Oboe.  Let me know if you have a preference.
  
• Reed prep instructions are included.
• Side image for illustrative purposes only.
• Light application of Vaseline to moisturize cork. Covid sanitized (repeat at home).
• Reeds are guaranteed against cracks and leaks that impact play with a refund or replace remedy.  They are otherwise not returnable.  See policy.
• Individual results vary.