Best Oboe Reeds 2017 – Reviews and Buyer’s Guide

The oboe reeds are moody. It is mainly finding the right reed and also handling it properly that ensure the success of your performance. Be it a performance, rehearsal or lesson, the quality of the reeds does matter.

It’s not all about strength. There is more to it. The journey from cane to reed is not the same for all reeds. As a result, they differ in quality and price.

Again, the same reed is not always suitable for all oboe players. Depending on their personal preferences and skill levels, some say YES and others NO to a particular reed.

It is, at times, frustrating looking for a good quality reed. But not anymore! You’ve just found the right piece of information that introduces you to the highly recommended oboe reeds.

Best Oboe Reeds 2017

No matter if you’re a novice or a professional oboe player good reeds are your primary requirement. However, when it comes to tone, variation, pitch and comfort of playing, not all reeds are the same.

Are they hard to find? Not at all. Check out below the 7 best players in the market.

1. Jones JR101MS Oboe Reed

This is a medium soft reed with long durability. Each piece is manually processed and tested. Though suitable for all skill levels, it is most appreciated by beginner oboe players.

The same reed is also available in medium and medium hard strengths. Finest quality of French canes is used to make it. The canes are then treated with advanced machinery and the highest level of craftsmanship. No wires are used in it. Still, you are unlikely to complain about the tip opening.

Whether a professional or a learner, you can play the entire range with little efforts from your side. To prevent damage, the reed is sold in a plastic case.

Customer who purchased this reed said:

• These are the best reeds for students.
• These are also the best substitutes of handmade reeds.
• Even the accompanying musicians can readily feel the difference when an oboe artist plays these reeds instead of others.

2. Legere Oboe Reed (European Scrape)

This reed is a unique player in the market of American scrap reeds. These are the best reeds for instruments used to playing European scrap cane reeds. That, however, doesn’t imply that the instruments used to playing American scrape reeds cannot play this reed.

When it comes to longevity, this reed has something to be proud of. Expect it to last even more than 5-cane reeds. It is, of course, moisture resistant.

It is possible that in the first instance the reed doesn’t fit your oboe completely. Not to worry! You only need to ream it out a bit. Even when it is partially inserted, you can play it for an extraordinary tune.

Customer who purchased this reed said:

• The reeds can be used immediately after purchase.
• Its low register response is exceptionally good. In fact, you can also play a dynamic range, irrespective of the register.
• It is made from darker cane. As a result, you won’t feel the usual honking on low notes.

3. Singin’ Dog Oboe Reed

Don’t have time, energy and interest to make your own reeds? Singin’ Dog Medium Soft Oboe Reed is for oboe players like you.

Not only for its cane quality but you are going to appreciate this reed for its longevity and ease of play. The reeds are prepared by professionals and performers who take utmost care in gouging, shaping and scraping the canes.

For the best results, do light hand scraping immediately after purchasing the reed.

Customer who purchased this reed said:

• For a beginner, this is the easiest to play compared to other market available reeds.
• You can do hours of practice with it. Your embouchure is not going to be fatigued.
• It plays the best in low notes. It can also sound good in high notes up to high E.

4. Jones JR101AMS Artist Oboe Reed

Perfectly in tone and tune, these medium soft reeds are to allow ease of oboe playing. Durability of these reeds is never a concern. From a child learner to a professional artist, everyone is satisfied playing these reeds.

Play a good dynamic range of your instrument with least pressure on your embouchure and lips. The reed is already scraped well. You only need to soak it a little before using it for any performance.

The reed is prepared through careful manufacturing and testing phases. The cane is fitted with a nickel silver tube and the tip is given special treatment. Heart, back and the tip are all set in harmony through a manual trial and error process. Need that extra pitch? The crow of the reed is specially adjusted for that.

Customer who purchased this reed said:

•  These reeds are ready to use. No additional scraping is required before using it.
• Among the different types of reeds that the brand produces, these are the most popular oboe reeds.
• It is easy to adjust these reeds according to your personal preferences.

5. Emerald EOS Oboe Reed

Ask an oboe teacher! He/she is sure to recommend Emerald EOS Oboe Reeds. No matter if you’re a beginner oboe player or have acquired intermediate level of skills, these are the best oboe reeds that you’re going to find in the market.

The reed comes with a soft strength level. However, you can also find the same reed with medium soft and medium strengths. When it comes to reliability and consistency, these are the perfect oboe reeds.

The reed truly represents the Emerald standard. Top quality cane is used in preparing the reeds. The processing is done using latest technology. The final product is tested several times before releasing it for commercial purpose.

In short, the reed is worth its price.

Customer who purchased this reed said:

• The reed outlasts other reeds with the same amount of usage.
• It’s hard to find a single aspect to complain about the reed.

6. Emerald Oboe Reed

This is a medium soft reed from Emerald. The reed is sold individually and is a good option if you’re looking for affordable yet good quality reeds.

If you’ve ever played double reeds, you’re sure to like this reed. The reed is made from French cane and is completely machine processed.

Because of its consistent tone, these are the best oboe reeds for the beginners. If your child is playing in school band, don’t think twice buying this. Returning to playing after long? These would be the best oboe reeds for you.

Customer who purchased this reed said:

• With these reeds, you are always in control of the tone.
• The reed sounds good, is stable and easy to play.
• These are the favorite oboe reeds of little learners.

7. Marlin Lesher Oboe Reed

Marlin Lesher Oboe Reed

These are medium soft reeds that even a beginner player can try out. It plays consistent without creating fatigue for your embouchure and lips.

It is a single reed. You are sure to love the combination of its tread colors. The canes are crafted with care so that the reeds produce excellent sounds.

The brand name is printed on the reed. It comes in excellent packaging that protects it from any type of damage. The price is such that you can afford a couple of more of it.

Customer who purchased this reed said:

• Band teachers are recommending this reed.
• The reed works well for beginners and professionals alike.

Buyer’s Guide: What to look for while buying best oboe reeds?

Below, we have listed the primary properties of a good oboe reed. They are listed according to priority with the most important property topping the list. Alongside, we have mentioned a few physical aspects of a reed that give a hint that it is of poor quality.

While buying, make sure the reeds have the following properties:

• Responsiveness – A good reed should be responsive in all registers. Otherwise, your embouchure will get tired easily.
• Easy playing – The reeds should be such that you use the least pressure of your lips to play them. They should play timely and in tune.
• Wide-ranging – Best is the reed that easily generates a wide range of tunes in all registers. It must produce loud and soft tunes interchangeably as required.
• Shape – The opening and the sides of a reed tell a lot about its quality. A good reed is neither too open nor too close. The ideal is the football shaped opening.
• Again, make sure that the sides are hard-pressed throughout the length of the reed.
• Blade overlap – Good reeds have their blades overlapped to some extent towards the right.
• Sound – Though a less important property but a reed with a good enough tone is sure to appeal to an oboe player.

Avoid those reeds that have wires, cracks in the tips and slices of cane hanging loose on the sides.

Happy oboe playing!!!