Oboe Reeds

Fun Oboe Reed Facts:

Did you know that oboe reeds are made from a plant? It’s not bamboo but a type of hollow cane called Arundo Donax.

Arundo Donax can grow from 20-30 feet high. Oboe reeds are made from the part of the plant that measures 10-11 mm in diameter. Oboists and bassoonist call it tube cane.

Most American oboists use cane grown in France but we are beginning to see cane for making oboe reeds coming from Argentina and China too. This cane is used not only for making oboe reeds, but also clarinet, saxophone, bagpipe and  bassoon reeds.

Arundo Donax is not native to the USA but it grows as an invasive and destructive plant throughout the southern part of the country.  It grows very quickly and can produce up to 25 tons per acre. That’s a lot of oboe reeds! Unfortunately the cane growing as a weed in the US does not have the qualities that are needed for making good oboe reeds.

Handmade oboe reeds require a lot of work. We must split the tubes, gouge the cane to the correct thickness, shape the cane to the correct dimensions for the oboe reed and tie the cane to an oboe staple with special nylon thread. All this before we are even ready to get to the real work which requires a sharp reed knife and a lot of practice.

Return Policy: Items may be returned within 30 days if they are in new condition and in original packaging. No returns or refunds on cane or reeds unless damaged during shipping. Reeds damaged during shipping must be returned within 7 days.

Shipping Policy: Please allow 2-3 weeks delivery time for oboe and English horn reeds. Other items will normally be sent within 1-2 business days. Paying by echeck instead of credit or debit card will cause approximately a 5 day delay in shipping. We use US mail. It may take 7-10 days for items to arrive after they are sent. The average time is 3 days.