What I love about these Advantage staples is that they are consistent from staple to staple. They’re so affordable. They fit my Loree-style #2 mandrel so there’s no need to find a “special” one for it. The thickness of the walls on these staples are not too thick nor too thin. With my usual Pfeiffer-Mack shape, I can easily tie the reeds at 72 mm. I have also been able to use other traditional shapes on these staples with no issues. The only difference between the French and Artiste is the cork wrapped around them- natural and synthetic respectively. The metal, bore and lengths are all the same.
In my personal findings, the brass staples seem to play a little warmer than the silver. The silver staples play with a little more “zing” or “ring” to the sound. What’s the difference between natural and synthetic cork? The difference is pretty minute. I have found that natural cork dampens the vibrations a little more than synthetic cork, giving it a more “covered” sound. Synthetic cork is less dense than natural cork resulting in a reed that may sound “more free” or “vibrant”. I prefer synthetic over the natural cork simply because they last longer and there is no need for cork grease! Synthetic cork will fit almost any reed well easily.
I use the French and Artiste staples interchangeably in orchestral, chamber and solo settings. I feel that they work really well compared to the “big” Italian, French and German staple makers. The HUGE plus about these staples is that they’re completely made in the USA. Give these staples a try. You’ll be surprised...in a GOOD way!
Dr. Mezraq Ramli,
Malay-American oboist, Mezraq Ramli, enjoys a diverse career as a chamber and orchestral musician, recitalist, teacher and arts administrator. He is the Double Reed Consultant at Advantage Double Reeds, where assists in improvements and development of products in our store. Primarily an oboist, Mezraq is also proficient on the bassoon. Mezraq is Principal Oboe with the South Asian Symphony Orchestra (India), and Second Oboe and English horn with the Baroque on Beaver Music Festival (MI), subbing regularly in the Traverse Symphony Orchestra. He has also performed with several regional orchestras in the US including the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra, Lubbock Symphony Orchestra, Big Spring Symphony Orchestra, Middletown Symphony Orchestra and Holland Symphony Orchestra. As an educator, Mezraq is Instructor of Oboe at Northwestern Michigan College and also teaches double reeds in the Traverse City Area Public Schools. Previously, he was Oboe Instructor at Saginaw Valley State University and Adjunct Instructor of Double Reeds at Lubbock Christian University. Mezraq received his DMA from Texas Tech University, MM from Miami University and BM from Grand Valley State University. His principal oboe teachers include Amy Anderson, Andrea Ridilla and Marlen Vavrikova. His principal bassoon teachers include Richard Meek and John Clapp.
]]>Once I have received reeds from the manufacture I disinfect them in 95% proof alcohol, rinsed and allowed to thoroughly dry out. In addition I encourage customers to soak their purchased reeds in 60% or above alcohol for 30 seconds allowing the alcohol to drain the staple, let them sit for 3 minutes and rinsed thoroughly in water. Following these procedures, reeds should dry completely before first use. In addition, reed sharing is not recommended during the pandemic.
If you have any more questions or concerns please contact me via email:
advantage@advantage-usa.com
or phone:
360.301.3672
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These have been interesting and challenging times with the COVID-19 pandemic sweeping our country as well as the rest of the world. I want to reach out and let you all know that Advantage-USA Reeds and Supplies is fully open and I have taken extra precautions to make sure products being sent out are safe.
Once I have received reeds from the manufacture I disinfect them in 95% proof alcohol, rinsed and allowed to thoroughly dry out. In addition I encourage customers to soak their purchased reeds in 60% or above alcohol for 30 seconds allowing the alcohol to drain the staple, let them sit for 3 minutes and rinsed thoroughly in water. Following these procedures, reeds should dry completely before first use. In addition, reed sharing is not recommended during the pandemic.
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We will start with reed strengths. Oboe and bassoon reeds are most commonly offered in five strengths: Soft, Medium Soft, Medium, Medium Hard, and Hard. Each reed company has their own rating systems so a medium from one brand might be slightly different than a medium reed from anther brand. The following is a general idea of each read strength.
Soft or Medium Soft
The best oboe reeds for beginners are reeds that have less resistance. For the beginner oboist it is often recommend that one select a Soft or Medium Soft Reed. These reeds will be easier to play while the beginner oboe or bassoonist are developing his or hers embouchure. At Advantage we offer a smaller selection of reed brands come in Soft: Marlin Lesher, Chartier, and OC&R Pro Reed to name a few. Most of our oboe and bassoon reeds are offered in Medium Soft.
Medium:
A medium reed will have more resistance than a Medium or Medium Soft and is often recommend for players with a 1-2 years of experience.
Medium Hard:
A Medium Hard oboe reed will provide a lot of resistance and is recommended for the intermediate to advanced oboist and bassoonist. The harder the reed the more resistance.
Hard:
Hard Reeds are often recommend for students and more advance players adjust their own or have their private teachers adjusted the reeds.
Pro Reed vs. Manufactured Reeds
Pro Reeds:
Pro reeds are hand scraped from beginning to end. Pro reeds are more responsive and in tune than manufactured reeds. Scraping each reed beginning to end takes a lot of time and this is why Pro Reeds are often times more expensive than manufactured reeds. Professional level reeds are recommended for advanced players who do not have the time to make their own reeds, for that reason most professional are only offered in Medium and Medium Hard. However the OC&R Pro Oboe reed is offered in all five strengths. Our top selling Pro Oboe Reed is the Cooper Wright Reed, the Cooper reed is known for its excellent intonation, consistency, tone quality, response and control right out of the box. Advantage Reeds also offers Simaril and Rainier Professional Oboe Reeds.
Here is a link to our other Pro Oboe Reeds.
Manufactured Reeds:
Manufactured Reeds are made with machines and refined by hand in the final stages of the reed making process. Often times manufactured reeds are the best reeds for beginners,although manufactured reeds are very popular amongst intermediates and advanced players. They are far less expensive and easy to play right out of the box. Each manufacture has a different reed making process and uses different profiles when making their reeds. For this reason we recommend you try multiple brands of reeds to find the one that fits you best.
Whether you are new to the double reed world, or an experienced player that doesn't have time to make your own reeds we hope this guide points you in the right direction when it comes to buying your reeds. Please note that it is very important to have multiple reeds ready to play at all times. Using multiple reeds slows the aging process of the reeds. In addition, oboe and bassoon reeds are very delicate and can stop playing with little to no warning at all, having multiple reeds around can help mitigate a reed disaster!
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