Oboe Reed-Making Equipment

Recommended by Eugene Izotov

 
 
MICROMETERS: It is absolutely essential to have the right measuring tool for gouging. I advise you to invest some money in a good micrometer (also known as a “dial indicator”). Also, avoid the "round" or "ball" tip micrometers - they always tend to give a thicker measurement. I recommend micrometers with the "pointed" or “needle” tip. I use this one: RDG Dial Indicator set up with Pointed Tip:   SHAPER TIPS: I use the Gilbert 1 shaper tip (tied at 72.5 mm. on a Pisoni staple) - it requires a bit more effort to make reeds that are up to pitch, but I appreciate the depth of tone that comes with it and it's nice to have a reed that's big enough to blow against. Before you buy a shaper tip, you may want to borrow several shaper tips from your friends (or get some on trial from a vendor) and test them out. Mack 1 is another very fine choice (tied at 72 mm.) - it is noticeably narrower than Gilbert 1 (and as a result more confining) but it easily keeps the pitch up (tied at 72 mm. on a Pisoni staple) Make sure your mandrel fits your staples perfectly!  STAPLES: PISONI Silver (or Brass) 47 mm. Staples (available from various vendors): I find them well-made, consistent and I like the size of the opening - with a Gilbert 1 shaped cane tied at 72.5 mm, the reeds are wide enough at the bottom, seal very well and have a generous opening. There are numerous theories about the pros and cons of brass vs. silver - my advice is to try both and see what works best for you:  GOUGING MACHINES: INNOLEDY Gouger: this machine is unconventional, but is very easy to use. Due to the fact that it gouges dry (!), it is extremely fast, and produces a very consistent and reliable gouge:  GRAFF Gouger: These machines vary greatly, depending on where they were set up. I recommend a brand new Graff machine set-up by John Symer in Philadelphia (856-858-0605):  FERRILLO Gouger: Similar in appearance to the Graff gouger, the Ferrillo gouger is a superior machine specifically designed for depth of tone and pitch stability. Extremely expensive. Requires careful maintenance, frequent blade re-sharpening:  PRE-GOUGERS: FERRILLO Pre-Gouger: very expensive, extremely well-made. There are several other companies that make this type of planing board. However, you will also need to purchase a plane to use with this tool. Although you can buy a plane at most hardware stores (i.e. Stanley Plane 12-247), it will need to be set-up by an expert to work properly with this pre-gouger.   RDG Pre-Gouger - a basic “push-through” pre-gouger. Reliable and easy to use:  KNIVES: I use the Nielsen, Landwell, or Chudnow oboe knives:   PLAQUES: I use only flat rounded plaques. It allows the knife to have more consistent contact with the tip of the reed, especially the very edge of the tip which makes it vibrate more evenly. I recommend avoiding contoured plaques - while it might be easier to access any one particular part of the reed with them, it makes the overall surface of the cane less even in both thickness and consistency:  SHARPENING STONES: To start: DIAMOND STONE, 3X8 inches, 600 Grit - from Forrestmusic.com : this stone is very coarse at first, but after several uses it becomes quite smooth and it will last you years. Begin using this stone by sharpening older knives - it will be too abrasive for new knives.  DMT DIAMOND STONE, 600 Grit - from Midwest Musical Imports: A think layer of perforated steel is molded into a plastic base. The metal is covered with diamonds of precision size, embedded in nickel. The unique pattern of plastic islands in a “sea of diamonds” speeds sharpening and cleans away fines. Non-pourous surface resists loading and wipes clean. Use water only for lubrication.  To continue: Ceramic Bench Stone (MEDIUM/blue), 302M, from Spyderco.com: (this stone is double-sided, so you actually get two stones in one. JUST DON'T GET ANY OIL ON IT, IT WILL RUIN IT!):  To finish / maintain: JENDE Reed Knife Maintenance kit (folds out to a Y-shape), from  oboeworks.com: expensive, but works great for finishing - made from high quality stainless steel. I use this tool all the time - it easily fits inside my oboe case so I can carry it with me on the stage of Orchestra Hall and use it during rehearsals or before concerts. Make sure you observe the appropriate angle when sharpening knives (there are markings denoting 35-degree angle):  RAZOR BLADES:
 I use only GEM razor blades for clipping reeds. While other kinds of razor blades are acceptable for shaping cane, GEM blades produce the best and most accurate results when clipping reeds (available at RDG Woodwinds): 
 *- This page is a sample reference resource that provides links to vendor websites and is not intended to serve as endorsement of any particular vendor as the equipment may be available elsewhere.http://www.rdgwoodwinds.com/product_info.php?products_id=504http://www.innoledy.com/Gouger/Gouger.htmhttp://www.bostondoublereed.com/gougingmachine.htmlhttp://www.bostondoublereed.com/pre-gouger.htmlhttp://www.rdgwoodwinds.com/product_info.php?products_id=138http://nielsen-woodwinds.com/p-5052-knife-wedge.aspxhttp://www.rdgwoodwinds.com/product_info.php?products_id=1191http://yhst-49475438377643.stores.yahoo.net/kni0103.htmlhttp://www.forrestsmusic.com/sharpening_stones#diamondhttp://www.mmimports.com/catalog.cfm?Action=ShowProduct&ProductID=270http://www.mmimports.com/catalog.cfm?Action=ShowProduct&ProductID=270http://spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=82http://www.oboeworks.com/miva/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=O&Product_Code=86-5http://www.rdgwoodwinds.com/product_info.php?products_id=229http://www.rdgwoodwinds.com/product_info.php?products_id=229shapeimage_3_link_0shapeimage_3_link_1shapeimage_3_link_2shapeimage_3_link_3shapeimage_3_link_4shapeimage_3_link_5shapeimage_3_link_6shapeimage_3_link_7shapeimage_3_link_8shapeimage_3_link_9shapeimage_3_link_10shapeimage_3_link_11shapeimage_3_link_12shapeimage_3_link_13shapeimage_3_link_14

This page contains information about the following items*:


Micrometers

Shaper Tips

Staples

Gouging Machines

Pre-Gougers

Knives

Plaques

Sharpening Stones

Razor blades