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Re: IYO, what are the best handmade reeds available? >>>

Author: ohsuzan
Date: 2006-10-17 12:47

I'm afraid that "best" (when referring to oboe reeds) is in the eye of the beholder -- or in the ear of the player. Here are three (more) suggestions:

If you don't mind using phone, fax, or snail mail, you absolutely cannot go wrong with the reeds from Sorton Reed Works: The Sorton Reed Works, 5849 Lafayette Rd., Granville, OH 43023-9480, phone# (740) 587-1603, fax # (740) 587-0752. Call during business hours only, M-F, 9-5. These are the "cream of the crop", IMO, and relatively expensive -- but they work as close to 100% of the time as any reed I have ever played, so the "cost per play" is probably less. Student, intermediate, and pro reeds available.

One reedmaker that I haven't seen mentioned lately is Kathy DiCola http://www.tabbytoesreeds.com/. It has been a while since I got a reed from her, but they were among the easiest to play that I have ever encountered -- maybe I'll get some more. They were perhaps a tad brighter than some, but they were very, very playable. I still have a couple from about two years ago that are still working fine. And not terribly expensive, as these things go.

One oboe professional that I know uses medium soft Lesher Artist reeds from WW&BW. She tweaks them, for sure, but I have had the opportunity to play a couple of her tweaked Leshers, and they were absolutely fine.

Good luck. Finding one's own "right reed" usually takes more than one roll of the dice!

Susan

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