 The Oboe BBoard
|
Author: plclemo
Date: 2011-01-03 00:57
Has anyone ever ordered reeds from www.neilsreeds.com? If so, what did you think of them? I have just ordered 3 to try them out.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: GoodWinds ★2017
Date: 2011-01-03 02:13
everytime I order reeds from a professional reed-maker, I find myself doing adjustments, no matter how good they are.
But I order from time to time just to see what the current fashion is, in terms of reed-making style.
Sorry I can't help you, have never ordered from this source.
PS there is a website called reed reviews, they might have a write-up on Neil...
GoodWinds
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: ohsuzan
Date: 2011-01-03 03:42
Hi Paula --
I just took a look at the site you mentioned, and I would have some serious reservations about these reeds.
First of all, he makes every style of reed in the world -- American, French, German, wired, not wired, A=440, A=443, etc.
This tells me right away that this is not someone who is selling the reeds he himself would play -- if he plays at all. He may be sort of more like a carpenter or a model-builder than an oboist.
Second, the price of 3 reeds for $22 is just plain too good to be true. I do not know of any reputable reedmaker who is selling a high-quality handmade reed for much less than about $20 EACH.
If you already ordered these, I hope they work out -- let us know! If you haven't ordered them, my suggestion is DON'T.
Susan
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Dutchy
Date: 2011-01-03 19:16
I can't even find a website that's a "www.neilsreeds.com", I keep getting a "sorry, we can't find that". And Google isn't giving me anything useful for combinations of "neil" and "reeds". Suzan, what web URL were you using?
Post Edited (2011-01-03 19:19)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: ohsuzan
Date: 2011-01-03 23:01
Hi Dutchy --
They are on "the auction site which may not be named." I would post you a link, but that's against Board rules. ![[right]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie8.gif)
I found it via Google. I think it is neils-reed, but I found it using what Paula posted.
Susan
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: GoodWinds ★2017
Date: 2011-01-03 23:45
it was tricky to find that site...
The photos definitely look more 'machine-profiled' than 'hand-scraped' to me. I agree that 3/$22 is really a 'steal' -- and one I would avoid.
Let us know what you think of these bargains when you get them!
GoodWinds
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: jhoyla
Date: 2011-01-04 08:25
You may be lucky ..
I know some pros who use a profiler to get the basic reed scrape and then finish the reed by hand (usually just refining the edges and corners of the tip). Saves an enormous amount of time and the results are remarkably consistent.
Perhaps this reed maker uses a technique like this? Even so, difficult to see how he can make a profit at this price, which is close to materials cost (3 staples and ~4 pieces of gouged cane, to allow for wastage).
Anyhow, let us know how they turn out.
J.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: HautboisJJ
Date: 2011-01-04 09:10
There was a Korean maker who for years sold reeds at 6 pounds per piece. He recently started selling through his own website and now the prices are sky high = normal. Haha! And excellent reeds they were. You'd be surprised how low costs can be when you own a plantation and your cousin makes the staples (a reputable maker i know). Businessmen!
Howard
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Dutchy
Date: 2011-01-04 14:58
I'm still not able to find it. When I use "neilsreed" instead of "neilsreeds", I get a "possible Web threat!" warning from my Cisco router that the site I'm about to enter may contain Bad Stuff. So it's possible that Microsoft Security Essentials is blocking it completely.
Which is not a good sign.
Also can't find anyone named Neil selling reeds on the Evil Auction site.
Be that as it may, second that 3/$22 raises all kinds of warning flags. Good reeds take time to create, and the labor involved = expense.
Post Edited (2011-01-04 15:01)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: GoodWinds ★2017
Date: 2011-01-04 15:21
I guess I found it through the evil auction site's listing of 'oboe reeds'; no name, but I came to a page described by ohsuzan, listing all types of scrapes, with the same price (3/$22). I don't think it's 'neil', but he seems to sell via Neils Reed.
I wish I'd copied the specific web address. Now I just want to hear back from Paula, to see what she thinks of those babies...
GoodWinds
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: plclemo
Date: 2011-01-04 22:40
I'll be sure to "report in" when I get them. I ordered only 3 and I'll let you know in a couple of weeks what my instructor thinks of them. She really HATES store bought ones. She cringes a lot when she hears one. Thanks for all of your input.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: plclemo
Date: 2011-01-04 22:46
On a side note, do you see the advertisement above the message board for www.harrisreedcase.com? Has anyone tried their reeds?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: ohsuzan
Date: 2011-01-05 03:11
I just looked at the harrisreedcase site, and I am not overly impressed. Again, they may be fine, but I don't think I would buy from them, based on the way the site is put together. There is something very non-professional about the way everything is presented.
Before you spend any more money on reeds, I think you would do well to spend some time looking at the reedmakers who are listed at this site: http://reedreviews.net/
Oboe Reed Reviews lists just about all of the decent reedmakers that I have ever heard of, with an opinion poll on most of them. I don't think too much of the opinion poll, but by clicking through to the websites of these reedmakers, you will get better feel for what to look for in a good reedmaker and a good reed.
I just might mention that I found what I consider a "best buy" reed through the Oboe Reed Review site, and that is the Chicago Reed Company "Pro" reed for $20. It is a very good reed, very easy to play, great tone color, and an absolute STEAL at $20.
http://www.chicagoreedcompany.com/aboutus.html
Please note that these reeds are made by Robert Morgan, who is the Asst. Principal Oboist of the Chicago Lyric Opera -- a major opera company. I don't know where else you will find a professional of this caliber willing to make you a reed for $20. Pay attention to his statement about lead time of 2 - 4 weeks -- he means it. But the reeds are excellent.
Susan
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Jeltsin
Date: 2011-01-05 07:13
The only reed I bought that I did not had to adjust by myself was from http://www.britanniareeds.com/.
I use Yazaki hard for one of my oboes and Viscount hard for the other oboe, but both of the reeds are of European style.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Leann1216
Date: 2011-01-05 14:20
I've ordered these reeds a few times and had good luck with them. I make a few adjustments to the tip to get the kind of tone and response that I like. Plus if one breaks quickly I'm not as bummed as when I spent $27 on one reed and it cracked.
I was an oboe major in college, but I'm not a professional player, (just a community band) so the reeds don't get a lot of play (which is why $22 for three reeds makes me happy), and they last me a few months.
Hope you have good luck too!
Leann
P.S. I just found this board
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: GoodWinds ★2017
Date: 2011-01-06 01:48
welcome 'aboard', Leann. And never think 'just an amateur' can't contribute, because lots of us are just that.
I've played for over 30 years and often feel like a novice when it comes to cutting reeds, altho' I had a really good teacher. So enjoy the discussion and feel free to chime in!
GoodWinds
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
