Hi everyone,

First post here. I have been playing oboe for a few months now on Jones reeds (I know, I know). Recently I tried the Marlin Lesher standard reeds (these are mass produced) and really enjoyed them. I'm now looking to order another batch of reeds and noticed the Lesher "Pro" Series and "Artist" Series of reeds. These apparently are hand-scraped. However, with these reeds, I am unable to select a certain strength for the reed (the size is fixed as 'hand-scraped' on the website).

I've never made a reed before so I don't have any knowledge of these hand-scraped reeds. How would I adjust the strength of these reeds if I buy a few?

Thanks for your help,
William

Handmade reeds can be found for as little as $9 and as high as $25+ and there are machine made reeds that do play reasonably well such as Gower or K.Ge reeds.

You would be safer going handmade as they are generally play tested before they get in your hands to play reasonably well and in tune. You may find some "student" handmade reeds play better than others "professional" reeds, due to differenet makers styles and what you like. Sometimes the quality difference is nothing more than staple material (the metal tube and cork part) with some makers.

Mass reed producers may say "hand scraped", but that does not necessarily mean play tested and isn't the whole point of going "hand made" to make sure they are play tested and you don't wind up with duds.

Check out these links for reed resources and reed adjustment:

Reeds... end of the road... how to tell?
http://test.woodwind.org/oboe/BBoard/read.html?f=10&i=2687&t=2685

Reed Adjustment Guide:
http://www.public.asu.edu/~schuring/Oboe/Reedguide.html

So if I ordered some handscraped reeds, I'd have to adjust the strength myself after receiving them? There's no advertised 'strength' of those reeds..

Reed strengths are guidelines within one maker. One makers medium is another makers hard or soft.

So even if the Lesher Artist specified that they were "medium" they could be extremely soft, extremely hard, or just right depending on where you're coming from.

If the reed is too hard or soft for you I would suggest you play with it for a few days to see if you can get used to it. Especially if you're going to be stuck with the one strength they're offering. Otherwise you'll be hand adjusting yourself and could quite possibly ruin the reed in the process.

These are a couple of inexpensive handmade reeds as an alternative though:
http://www.nielsen-woodwinds.com/pc-5039-133-oboe-reeds-purple.aspx
http://www.nielsen-woodwinds.com/pc-5038-133-oboe-reeds-green.aspx

I'm partial to purple, but I've bumped into someone loved the green more than purple. Try a few of both maybe you'll like one over the other. Each color signifies a different maker.

There are so many other makers out there though that make wonderful reeds. Give others a try too, these are just the cheapest decent reeds I've come across.

I believe the Marlin Lesher Artist and Pro reeds are available in only the medium hard strength. You need to be an experienced player and have access to someone who can adjust the reeds if they are too hard. You could also just play them in. They are excellent reeds.