Where to Order Handmade Reeds

Note:  Reeds are made to order and can take 2+ weeks to arrive, so always order before you actually need them!  Many places have a reed subscription or auto-ship service (I order 2-3 reeds per month for myself to avoid reed emergencies).  Though I am able to make reeds, making them for all of my students is too time-consuming!  I suggest ordering from the places below - I am always ordering from new reed-makers and updating this list so you don't have to do the guesswork.

​Oboe Reeds

For 5th-6th Grade Beginners:  Beginners should have reeds that respond easily, don't sound too quacky, and are inexpensive.
  • Edmund Nielsen - 6th and 7th graders should get "medium hard" in purple or black thread colors.  Edmund Nielsen reeds are color-coded by maker, so the thread color on their site does matter!
  • Stellar "Student" Reeds - Use their monthly subscription to avoid long wait times

"Step-Up" Reeds for Middle Schoolers:  Once they get past the reed-breaking stage!  These reeds have better quality cane, are more stable in sound, and have a little more resistance.
​For All-State Auditions, High School/College Students and Professionals:  These reeds are made with the highest quality cane, sound very dark/resonant, and are scraped with more detail.
  • Wildflower Reeds (in Texas) - made by Elise Belk (former student of John Mack).  I use the "medium professional" reeds.  These are great for students with strong embouchures.  Arrived 1 week after ordering.
  • Haines Oboe Reeds from Etsy
  • ​James Sullivan Reeds via Double or Nothing Reeds
  • Bjorklund Reedworks (in Chicago) - Warm/dark sound, easy response.  Arrived almost 1 month after ordering, but worth the wait!  They offer a monthly subscription.
  • Shalita Black Label Pro Reed - Dark sound, easy response, opening is more closed and good for students with relaxed embouchures, arrived almost 2 weeks after ordering. They offer a monthly subscription.
  • Moreno Reeds - Dark sound, easy response, medium opening, arrived 5 weeks after ordering
  • Dr. Leland Greene Reeds (Ohio State oboe professor):  Responsive, warm/dark sound.  Ask me for his contact info.
  • (shop on break temporarily) Samantha Marie Reeds  - Easy to play, dark sound - good for relaxed embouchures

English Horn Reeds
  • Oxford Reeds - Made in Georgia by Rebecca Testerman
  • Wildflower Reeds
  • Double or Nothing Reeds
  • MKL Reeds
  • Leland Greene
  • Erica Howard
  • DeLuna Reeds (might be a 6-week wait)

Bassoon Reeds