Best Quality Professional Oboe Reeds. Robust/Bold/Expressive. Premium M-MH/Dense Cane. For Advanced to Expert Players.
Origin Professional Oboe Reeds are handmade from scratch and are a personal favorite within the pro grade, and a cornerstone of our oboe reed category. They are beautiful, expressive and robust reeds that are a pleasure to play. They typically have more resistance than other pro reeds on my site, but not too much to handle unless you are accustomed to a very free blowing experience. Cane is processed in-house, is the most dense in my collection, in the medium hard range and has a 10.5-11 diameter range. I draw from my choice of Marion-2017 (variegated thread), Alliaud - 2019 & 2022 (black thread) or Rigotti-2025 (yellow thread). Apertures sizes are managed by precision draws of cane by diameter and are right sized by grade. Cane of this quality, strength/density is preferred by elite artists with expert reed making skills but rarely used by higher volume professional reed makers because they are harder to make and cost more. That doesn't stop me. Made with Chiarugi #2 47 mm staples. Stronger embouchures and support systems (relative to grade level) are recommended to fully take advantage of their extra structure. Individual results vary. Reeds have the rich/dark tone color that many highly accomplished players seek. Recommended for professionals, adult amateurs and conservatory bound students with well developed production systems, including embouchure, windspeed and support.
Professional, Elite and English Horn Models. Pricing reflects the relative difficulty of making these reeds based on cane strength and density.
Construction/Scrape:
Oboe Cane: Cane is drawn from premium Marion *2017) Alliaud (2017/2019) cane or Rigotti (2025) inventories. Cane strength is medium to medium hard with a higher densities. 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.
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 40-.42 in thickness. Moderate windows, defined heart/back with catch. Moderate spine. Full professional level tone and response.
Finishing Touches:
Dozens of micro adjustments prior to certification and ship.
Tested on Howarth XL or Marigaux 901 Oboe.
Reed prep instructions are included.
Light application of Vaseline to moisturize cork.
Players encouraged to sanitize reeds upon arrival.
Reeds are guaranteed against cracks and leaks that impact play with a refund or replace remedy. They are otherwise not returnable.