REEDS FOR BAROQUE BASSOON

The new standard baroque reed model, our first recommendation for players of most baroque bassoons, offers the widest dynamic range and richest tone of all our baroque models. Despite its unfamiliar appearance, it responds easily for both novice and experienced players. It actually simplifies fingering of many pitches; with this reed, many baroque bassoons (including Eichentopf and Scherer reproductions) will play simpler, "shorter" fingerings with excellent intonation and response. It is a large reed, made with uniformly gouged, medium-hard cane. (Prudent and Stanesby players may or may not prefer a shorter blade length; please specify or inquire.)

For customers who have developed a fondness, we continue to offer three popular models:

The hand-thinned gouge of the short-scrape baroque reed (left) leaves denser cane at the reed's tip, which makes for a penetrating tone. It is compatible with a wide variety of baroque bassoons. This reed, if completely dry, must be soaked for about 20 minutes in warm water before use, and must be kept damp for optimal response.

The Eichentopf baroque reed (center) is recommended for Eichentopf, Stanesby, and similar reproductions. The long blades help keep the pitch down on low notes, even while the high register is strong all the way to a'. The Prudent baroque reed (right) is recommended for later designs like the Prudent reproduction, and for any instrument with a longish bocal.