High-Quality Handmade Reeds
Like most professional oboists, I make my own reeds, and since 1998 I have been offering my oboe reeds for sale to the public. When you buy from me you are paying for my years of experience in working with cane and oboe reeds. I make all of my reeds by hand from start to finish, and test them on the oboe myself. Thus I don’t sell “student” or “beginner” reeds per se – every reed is made with the same high-quality cane that I use for myself, and meets my own high standards before it is promptly shipped out. I sell oboe, English horn, and oboe d’amore reeds on this site, and also through Midwest Musical Imports. Additionally, HB Oboe Reeds Shop carries my reeds.
Guarantee/Disclaimer
Every oboist is different and you might not like my reeds. But if you are unhappy with your purchase I would like the chance to make it right. In addition, if your reed arrives cracked, damaged, or leaking, I will apologize up and down and replace it immediately. Please let me know! Contact me at 773-450-4581 or jennetinglereeds@gmail.com
Shipment Times
I make reeds to order, but I work very fast and pride myself on professionalism and superior customer service. I will always mail your order within seven days of receiving payment, often much sooner. If you are in a bigger hurry than that, please do contact Midwest Musical Imports – if they are not out of stock they can ship much more immediately. Of course, they are also a little more expensive. I ship via USPS First Class mail, which usually takes 3-5 days within the US. Please email me if you need a faster shipping option.
Reed Strength
Medium reeds are the reeds I play on in my own life as a professional oboist. They are much more resistant than many commercial Mediums. I strive for a stable, smallish opening, prompt response, and a fair amount of resistance to blow against. These should be ready to play out of the box, IF you are comfortable blowing against some resistance.
Medium Soft reeds are for the player who prefers a quicker response, more flexibility in pitch, and less resistance. These are my recommended strength for younger players.
Medium Hard reeds have a slightly larger opening and more wood on them than my Medium reeds. They are finished reeds – I can play them, in tune and comfortably – but they require a little more air and more physical effort than I prefer. These reeds are great for those pros and teachers who intend to adjust reeds themselves to their own comfort level, or for players who like to blow hard.
Details for Oboe Geeks Only
Gouge and Shapes
In all cases I make the same reeds for my customers that I do for myself – the same cane, the best gouger in my collection at the time you order, the shape that is working for me in the current season. My reeds are made from 10.5-11mm diameter cane, gouged on an Innoledy gouger. My usual shapes are RDG -1N and Joshua+2, but others that I occasionally use include Liang and Caleb-1. My oboe d’amore reeds are gouged on the Innoledy and shaped on a Rigotti 2. I gouge my English horn cane on a Ross machine, and shape on the Jeanne Standard or the Coelho. If you drop me a note I can customize any reed with your requested shape – I have many, though not all are in heavy rotation!
Tubes
By default the tubes I use come from Chartier and are synthetic cork. I construct the same professional-quality reed on every tube, but the staples that I actually use in the orchestra and for my solo work are fancier. You may also like to try these premium choices.
Synthetic cork – Basic 47mm brass tubes with a medium thickness and a synthetic cork
Premium cork/tube – Premium brass Pisoni Deluxe tubes are thick walled and have a larger bore size, in addition to a high quality real cork. Brass Chiarugi 2 tubes have a slightly smaller bore size, and thinner metal for a vibrant sound.
Pros and cons of each
I find that the basic synthetic tubes are just fine, and younger students tend to prefer them because they slide easily in and out of the oboe. For those seeking MORE, the thinner-walled Chicarugi tubes offer a more immediate response and a more vibrant, “zingy” sound, while the reeds made on the Pisoni tubes tend to be heavier, darker, and have great projection in a hall.