 The Oboe BBoard
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Author: Ronin614
Date: 2013-05-05 00:30
I recently found out that a lot of the reeds are wrapped in "fish skin". Although this is a misnomer, as its actually calf stomach (I think) it's still nasty. As a strict vegetarian, reeds that are made with this are not an option for me.
At the moment I'm using lesher reeds. (i know.....make my own. Also not an option at the moment.) Does anyone know if there's a way to contact the company to find out if there are any animal parts in their reeds? And would anyone know of a vegetarian friendly supplier of reeds in NY?
Any help is GREATLY appreciated
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2013-05-05 04:13
You can just use standard reeds but simply replace the goldbeater's skin with PTFE tape or plumber's tape which you can get from any hardware shop. It comes in spools and sticks to itself, plus it won't come undone when it gets wet unlike cling film.
Goldbeater's skin is essentially the same thing as sausage skin which is bovine intestinal membrane (a by-product of the meat industry), also used for making gut strings (for harps and tennis rackets) as well as the majority of skin pads on flutes, oboes and clarinets.
If you're not too happy with the idea of having skin pads on your oboe, then you can always have them replaced with cork pads (so it's fitted throughout with cork pads) or synthetic pads for the largest ones instead of the usual skin or leather pads.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: JRC
Date: 2013-05-05 15:22
Is there meat-lover friendly reeds? The subject is getting weirder as it seems...
I am still looking for a d'Amore.
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Author: WoodwindOz
Date: 2013-05-05 16:05
Ronin, your best long-term bet might be to purchase your reeds from a local (or not-so-local) reedmaker who makes the reeds by hand, rather than by machine. Many reed makers are happy to produce a reed to suit your needs, and if you wish not to have this product on your reeds, they would completely understand!
For the record, I have never used fish skin, and if I desperately need something to seal a crack, I use plumbers tape, as Chris described.
I have to admit, when I first saw the topic 'Vegetarian friendly reeds', my first thought was 'don't reeds come from plants?' Silly me didn't think of the rest of the reed!
Rachel
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Author: Wes
Date: 2013-05-05 21:35
Yes, reed cane, cork pads, grenadilla wood and animals all have DNA.
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Author: ptarmiganfeather
Date: 2013-05-06 18:04
Many reed makers do not use goldbeaters skin. Check out reedreviews.net, even though there isn't a vegetarian friendly sort option on the site. Research those brands that have best ratings and then buy one that doesn't use skin. I would say learn to make your own from your own sources. Don't forget the cane might be fertilized using animal byproducts.
My favorite is PFTE tape. I make my own reeds now and have not needed to use any tape in a while. Double recommend making your own, no need for any tape with a well tied reed.
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Author: Ronin614
Date: 2013-05-07 11:39
For those of you who took the time to give an actual, well thought out, non-dismissive response....thank you. I was under the mistaken impression that the use of fish skin was fairly common. Apparently not.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2013-05-07 11:51
While its use was commonplace, there are better alternatives - PTFE tape being probably the best alternative.
As for sausage skins and gut strings, there isn't much that comes near natural gut.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Oboelips
Date: 2013-05-08 17:34
Fishskin is used by many commercial/machine-made reedmakers as "insurance" that it doesn't leak. I make my own, and indeed, a well-tied reed on balanced cane eliminates the need for fishskin. However, I was taught that when buying reeds, buy from someone doesn't use fishskin--it's a sign that the reed is well-made.
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Author: ptarmiganfeather
Date: 2013-05-08 21:02
I saw this link for Hugo's Amazing Tape. It looks like an interesting alternative to PFTE as it is clear. http://www.amazingtape.com/order.htm.
When my order arrives I will post a review.
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Author: ptarmiganfeather
Date: 2013-05-17 01:58
The Hugo's Amazing Tape order came in today. I tried some of the tape on a reed and it is too bulky, even after stretching.
It might have a use as temporary crack repair. I have no cracks to try this theory on though.
The tape will hold thread in place on a spool while in storage. Worth a try, as the tape will get use around the house for other things.
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Author: ClassicalOboist
Date: 2013-05-17 21:06
Reeds only have fishskin on them if air leaks out the sides, which means the reed isn't exactly perfect.
Reeds made by Lesher should not have fishskin wrapped around them, as the company has strict quality standards and any reeds with open sides are disposed of. Hope this helps.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2013-05-17 21:30
Just out of curiosity, what kind of fish does this alleged "fish skin" come from?
Or, how did the whole fish skin myth materialise?
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Ronin614
Date: 2013-05-21 23:16
Thanks again for the responses everyone. I contacted Lesber and they said that they don't use fishskin and that they're ok for "veggie" use.
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