Simplified Selection

Simplified selection involves choosing from six stock reed models. These six models represent the "middle-of-the-road" in terms of available models, and are chosen to suit the largest number of bassoonists. They feature two different profile styles and three different blade lengths. The profile styles, namely Triangle and Smooth, are pictured at the bottom of this page. The blade lengths, measured from the blade wire to the tip, are 29mm, 30mm and 31mm. These models may be identified in one of three ways: by a short descriptive name, by the wrapping colour, or by their model code (see the Model Codes section for full description). Toward the end of this page is a table giving the three identification methods for each model. The short descriptive name method will be used in giving my recommendations below. Also see the Usage Suggestions page for my recommendations on how to get the longest life and best service from your reeds.

Beginners

My recommendation is to choose the 29mm Triangle model. If you are a complete beginner (i.e. have never played the bassoon, or have played only a few times), be sure to indicate so when ordering. In this case the reeds will be adjusted such that they require a minimum of breath and embouchure support. After playing for a few months, or when breath/embouchure support develops more, you may want the reeds adjusted differently, or you may want to try the 30mm Triangle model. Please note that there is not necessarily a connection between the development of your breath/embouchure support and the length of the reed you use. Many professional bassoonists play on a reed with a blade length of 29mm or shorter. It is a matter of personal preference for an experienced bassoonist.

Intermediate Students and Experienced Casual Players

If you are studying with a bassoonist, then involve your teacher in model selection, if at all possible. Failing this, my recommendation is to start with a few of the 29mm Triangle and a few of the 30mm Triangle models. If the 29mm reeds are lighter than desired, they will still most likely still be useful, and if the 30mm reeds are too heavy, they can be trimmed. Once your preferred blade length is established, you might want to try the Smooth model with the same blade length to see if this style suits you better.

Advanced Students and Professionals

I recommend starting with what you are currently using as a guide. Measure the blade lengths of reeds that have the right feel for you. If the majority of them tend towards a specific length, then a model with that same length is a good bet. If your preferred blade length falls outside the range of 29-31mm, then consider the full selection process (start with the Model Overview tab above and progress to the Full Selection tab). I encourage everyone to try one of the Triangle models. In my opinion these models make the best all-round reeds, however if you have an aversion to reed profiles with bumps and valleys, then of course select one of the Smooth models. If you also measure the maximum height of the tip opening that feels best for you and give me this information, it will help in knowing how to adjust the reed more closely to your requirements.

Stock Model Identification and Dimensions

Stock Profile Styles

Triangle		Smooth

Model Overview

This section gives an overview of the standard reed models. For a more detailed look at the standard models, see the Model Data page. Each standard reed model is distinguished by five selectable features: six profile styles, six blade lengths, three tip extensions, three tube lengths, and target bocal. A standard model exists for every combination of the five features (for a total of 324 different models).

The six profile styles are as follows:

• Moderate Taper - A profile style with an easy taper from the ledge to the start of the tip region.
• Parallel - Thinner at the ledge and thicker at the start of the tip region than the Moderate Taper style.
• Full Taper - Thicker at the ledge and thinner at the start of the tip region than the Moderate Taper style.
• Channel - Same basic taper as the Moderate Taper style, but thicker overall and featuring a dug out channel from the middle of the profile to just before the start of the tip region. Please see my comments on this profile style in the Model Eval/Comments section before considering ordering reeds with this style.
• Spine - Same basic taper as the Parallel style, but thinner and featuring a heavy spine from the ledge to the start of the tip region.
• Triangle-Well - Same basic taper as the Full Taper style, but featuring a heavy triangle just behind the tip region, and a dug out well behind the triangle

The six blade lengths range from 28mm to 33mm inclusive, in increments of one millimeter. The blade length is measured from the middle of the blade wire to the tip. (On all standard models, the blade wire is placed 3mm from the collar.) As the blade length gets longer for a particular profile style/tip extension combination, the profile gets thicker, yeilding a heavier feeling reed. For the majority of reeds the actual blade length will be within 0.2mm of the specification, but may vary by as much as 0.5mm.

The tip extension determines placement of the tip region (a.k.a. "the fingernail", "the bullet", "the tip shaping region") in relation to tip of the reed. The three tip extensions are 0mm, 1mm and 2mm. A smaller tip extension specification places the tip region further from the tip and a larger tip extension specification places it closer. If this concept is not clear, please see the Tip Extension section in the Model Data page, or use the pop-up Standard Model Info, where the pictorial representation may clarify.

The three tube lengths are designated as short, medium and long. The tube is measured from the butt-end of the reed to the middle of the blade wire. Adding together the blade length and the tube length gives the overall length of the reed. Tube lengths are not static, that is, they vary with the blade lengths. In general, reeds with longer blade lengths have a shorter set of tube lengths. see the Model Data page for exact measurements

Three different target bocal dimensions are supported. These roughly correspond to the dimensions of Heckel thick-walled bocals, Heckel thin-walled bocals, and and Heckel DE bocals. Heckel designates a thin-walled bocal with a "D" in the bocal model code, for instance: CD, BD, VCD, etc. If there is no "D" in the code, then it is a thick-walled bocal. Any Heckel bocal with an "E" in the code (for instance CE, CDE) is a special case, in that the thick-walled version has the same bocal tip dimensions as thin-walled Heckel bocals without an "E" in the code. So, if you have a Heckel bocal with and "E" but no "D" in the code, then you need the Heckel thin-walled bocal fit. If you have a bocal with both an "E" and a "D" in the code, you need the Heckel DE fit. See the Model Data page for more detailed information, including how to determine the correct fit for non-Heckel bocals.

The existence of so many models will, hopefully, satisfy the requirements of a large number of bassoonists. However, if one has requirements beyond those covered by existing models, custom models can also be developed. Please see the Customization section for more details

Model Evaluation and Comments

Unfortunately, this section is not available if your browser does not support frames. If your browser does support frames and you would like to view this section, please click the home link below, click on the left-side blue button entitled Model Selection, then click on the tab entitled Model Eval/Comments.

Model Codes

All standard models are fully identified by an informational model code, which includes a profile style code, a blade length, a tip extension, a tube length code, and a target bocal code.

Model codes are made up as follows:

Full Selection

Full Selection involves choosing from the standard reed models. Before continuing with this section, please read at least the Model Overview and Model Codes sections (tabs above). Additional reading could include the Model Eval/Comments section, and the Model Data page (button at left). Unlike with simplified selection, I make no differentiation here between beginners, students, amateurs and professionals, as it is assumed that if are reading this page, you are serious about reed model details.

My strongest recommendation in the selection of an appropriate standard reed model is to initially not stray too far from what you are playing on now. It could be that you would ultimately like to play on a reed with say, a different blade length, or a different profile style, but the initial task should be to match as closely as possible your best playing reeds with one of the standard models. What is detailed below is the method that I use to match existing reeds to a standard model and in fact, one of the services I offer is to do this for you (see the Ordering Info page, Products/Services section for more on this).

Start with at least three reeds. Ideally, these reeds should be from your "gems" and have reached the end of their playing careers. The objective is to determine an appropriate profile style, blade length, tip extension and tube length from your reeds. Complete each step below with all the reeds you are evaluating before moving to the next step. It may help to tabulate the results in writing in order to identify trends and calculate averages. Throughout this process you will need to consult sections of the Model Data page, and it may be worth opening a second browser where the Model Data page is displayed. Any section named below is from the Model Data page, unless stated otherwise. If, in the end, you do not find a satisfactory match with a standard reed model, then please read the Customization section to see if your needs can be accommodated.

1. Blade and Tube Length Determination - Measure the distance from the butt-end of the reed to the blade wire, and from the blade wire to the tip for all the reeds you are evaluating. Measure to/from the middle of the blade wire. If there is a definite trend for either measurement, then go with that. Otherwise take averages. Round the blade length to the nearst millimeter and the tube length to the nearest half millimeter. Consult the Tube Length Measurement chart in the Blade/Tube Lengths section of the Model Data page. Start with blade length (along the top row of the chart), then look down the appropriate column and choose the tube length that most closely matches yours. If your tube length falls right in the middle of two standard model tube lengths, then my recommendation is to choose the medium tube length. If either your blade length or tube length are more than 1mm outside the limits of the chart, then there will be a compromise made on your part if you still want to select a standard reed.
2. Tip extension Determination - Hold each reed, blade down, up to a shaded lamp such that the blade protrudes below the shade and the profile is illuminated. Pay specific attention to the tip region and compare this with the pictures in the Tip Extensions section. Try to determine which tip extension is closest to yours. Be aware that cane usually darkens as reeds age, and this makes the tip region appear closer to the tip. This is a difficult feature to determine definitively. It may help to look at subjective comments about the tip extension in the Model Eval/Comments section to see if they match your own subjective evaluation of your reeds. If none of the above yields a choice you have confidence in, I advise choosing the 1mm tip extension.
3. Profile Style Determination - Observe each reed profile while illuminated as described above and compare with the pictures in the Profile Styles section. If your profile has features like the Triangle-Well, Spine or Channel profiles, then your choice will be obvious. If your profile is smooth, like the Moderate Taper, Parallel or Full Taper profile styles, then look closely at how quickly the profile changes from dark to light from the ledge to the start of the tip region, and look for the smooth profile picture that is closest. If you have a micrometer that can take profile measurements, then take centre-line measurements at the ledge and 5mm from the tip. Divide the former by the latter to get a ratio. The approximate ratios for the Moderate Taper, Parallel and Full Taper styles are 1.66, 1.25 and 2.25, respectively. This two-measurement method is a bit crude, but is usually accurate in determining the closest profile style. If you want to take the measurement method to its extreme, then take centre-line profile measurements every millimeter, plot the curve on a graph exaggerating the thickness by a factor of five, and finally compare to the longtitudinal sections of the smooth profiles in the profile styles section. (Geeky stuff, I know ;-) ) If, by whatever method you are using, you are having trouble choosing between two of the smooth profiles, then my advice is to start with the Moderate Taper style.

Customization

If it turns out that your needs are not met by the standard reed models, then it may possible to design a custom reed model that is more appropriate. Note that different placement of the middle and/or blade wire(s) on an otherwise standard model is not a customization - it can just be requested at the time of ordering. The following customizations can be done:

• Profile - The profile can be altered to change the blade length, the placement of the ledge (start of profile) on the shape, the taper along the blade, the centre to side proportions, the placement of the tip region (tip extension), the shape and depth of the tip region, and the shape, thickness and placement of features such as a triangle, well, channel or spine. The only restriction is due to a limitation of the reed machine, in that the maximum change in thickness (called slope, mathematically) is 0.16mm in 1mm along the profile length.
• Shape - The shape can be altered to change the butt-end width, the offset and width of the narrowest point, the offset at the blade wire, the amount of flare between the narrowest point and the blade wire, the amount of bulge in front of the blade wire, the blade side shaping (eg. straight, concave, convex) and the width at the tip.
• Gouge - The gouge can be altered to change the centre-line thickness, the eccentricity (i.e. all manner of normal eccentric, inverted eccentric and elliptical gouges, as well as concentric), the amount and contour of the taper from ledge to tip, and the amount of cutaway between the middle and blade wires.

The process of arriving at a satisfactory custom reed model may involve a cycle of design, producing samples, testing the result, design touch-up, etc. If the samples are to be sent to you at each iteration, the whole process could take some months. Once a satisfactory model design is achieved, the design will be your intellectual property. Access by others will be completely at your discretion.