This site is established through the joint cooperation of the International Double Reed Society and the editors of the Scrapes journal. Suggestions and comments should be forwarded Terry Ewell (tewell@towson.edu) or Yoshi Ishikawa (ishikawa@idrs.org).
Blade and bore measurements of bassoon reeds # 1, 2, 3, 4, 10, 11, 16, 17, 19, 20, and 21 are in "Double Reed Measurements Part 1: Bassoon Reeds," Scrapes International 2 (December 1999): 56-64. Co-authored with Todd Goranson. Reprinted in The Double Reed 23/4 (2000): 57-66.
Blade and bore measurements of bassoon reeds #6, 7, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, 22, and 23 are in "Reed Measurements Part 2: Bassoon and Contrabassoon Reeds," Scrapes 8/1 (April 2001): 65-77. Co-authored with Todd Goranson. Republished in the Dutch edition of Scrapes 8/2 (May 2001): 51-63.
Blade and bore measurements of bassoon reeds #24-46 will be forthcoming in Scrapes International and/or The Double Reed.
Pictures for reeds 1-23 were taken with a Canon AE-1 camera with a Canon Zoom Lens FD 35-105 1:3.5 and then scanned after development. Pictures for reeds 24-46 were taken with a Soni Digital Still camera, model MVC-FD95. Reeds were set on a paper clip for the photos.
Modern German Style Bassoon Reeds
#1. Rose Corrigan, Pasadena, California, USA-bassoon reed.
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Reed was 55 mm in length. Blade was 28 mm in length. The width of the reed at the tip was 15 mm. Width of the reed at the collar was 9 mm. The reed had a string wrap. Three brass wires at 6 mm, 18 mm, and 25 mm from the bottom of the reed.
#2. Rose Corrigan, Pasadena, California, USA-bassoon reed.
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Reed was 55 mm in length. Blade was 27 mm in length. Width
at tip was 14.5 mm.
Width at collar was 8 mm. The reed had a string wrap. Three brass
wires at 4 mm, 18 mm, and 25mm from the bottom of the reed.
#3 Arthur Grossman, Seattle, Washington, USA-bassoon reed.
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Reed was 51 mm in length, the smallest bassoon reed of the group. Blade was 22.5mm in length. Some grooves in the cane were visible on the blade. Width of the reed at the tip was 13.5. Width at the collar was nearly 8mm (7.75). The reed had a rubber shrink tube wrap. Three brass wires at 6.5mm, 14.5mm and 24.5 mm from the bottom of the reed.
#4 Maker unknown-bassoon reed.
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Reed was 57.5 mm in length. The blade was 28.5mm in length. Width of the reed at the tip was 17 mm. Width at the collar was 8mm. The reed had a string wrap. Three brass wires at 7mm, 18.5mm, and 26mm from the bottom.
#7 Joer Tervey, Europe---bassoon reed
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Reed was 57mm in length. The blade was 28.5mm in length. Projected width at tip was 15.5mm. Width at the collar was 8.5mm. This reed had a string wrap. Three wires, appearing to be steel, were at 5mm, 16mm, and 23mm from the bottom.
#8 Gustavo Nuñez, Europe-bassoon reed
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Reed was 57.5mm in length. The blade was 28.5mm in length. The width at the tip was 16.5mm. Width at collar was 8.5mm. This reed had a string wrap. Three brass wires were at 6mm, 18mm and 27mm from the bottom.
#9 Mat Lemmens, Europe-bassoon reed
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Reed was 58mm in length. The blade was 28mm in length. Width of the reed at the tip was 15mm. Width at the collar was 9mm. The collar was not defined. The reed had a string wrap. Three brass wires were at 5mm, 17mm, and 24mm from the bottom of the reed.
#10 Robin Howell, Europe-bassoon reed
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Reed was 55mm in length. The blade was 25mm in length. Width of the reed at the tip was 15mm. Width at collar was app. 15mm. The reed was not wrapped. Four brass wires at 3mm, 11.5mm 19mm and 27mm from the bottom of the reed.
#11 Michael Rabinowitz, USA-bassoon reed
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Reed was 57mm in length. The blade was 28mm in length. Width of the reed at the tip was 15mm. Width at the collar was 8mm. The reed had no string wrap. Three soft brass wires at 2.5mm, 14mm, and 28mm from the bottom.
#13 Kees Olthurs, Europe-bassoon reed
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Reed was 56mm in length. The blade was 27.5 mm in length. The width of the reed at the tip was 14.5mm. Width at the collar was 7mm. The reed had a string wrap. Three wires at 4mm, 21.5mm and 27mm from the bottom.
#14 Ronald Karten-bassoon reed
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This reed was 58.5mm in length. The blade was 28.5mm in length. The projected width at the tip was 14.5. Width at the collar was 8.5. The reed had a string wrap. Three wires, perhaps steel at 8.5mm, 20.5mm, and 26mm from the bottom.
#15 Kosi Sasano-bassoon reed
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This reed was 57mm in length. The blade was 29mm in length. Projected width at the tip was 16mm. Width at the collar was 8mm. The reed had a string wrap. Three brass wires at 7mm, 18mm, and 25mm from the bottom.
#16 Michael Rabinowitz, USA-bassoon reed
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This reed was 59.5 mm in length. The blade was 28.5mm in length. Projected width at the tip was 15mm. Width at the collar was 8mm. This reed did not have a wrap. Three brass wires at 3mm, 18mm, and 29mm from the bottom.
#17 Michael Rabinowitz, USA-bassoon reed
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This reed was 58.5m in length. The blade was 28mm in length.
The projected width at the tip was 15mm. Width at the collar was
8mm. The reed had a blue rubber tube wrap.
Three brass wires at 2mm, 15mm and 29mm.
#19 Robin Howell, Canada-bassoon reed
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This reed was 57mm in length. The blade was 25.5mm in length. Projected width at the tip was 15.5mm. Width at the collar was 9.5mm The corners at the tip were more rounded than other examples. This reed was not wrapped. Four brass wires at 4mm, 13mm, 21mm, and 27mm from the bottom.
#20 Robin Howell, Canada-bassoon reed
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This reed was 58mm in length. The blade was 27mm in length. Projected width at the tip was 16mm. Width at the collar was 9mm. The corners at the tip of the reed were rounded as in reed #19. This reed was not wrapped. Four brass wire at 4.5mm, 13mm, 21mm, and 27mm.
#21 Terry Ewell, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA-bassoon reed (performed in the IDRS conference, Madison 1999)
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This reed was 55mm in length. Blade was 26mm in length. Width at the tip was 14.5 mm. Width at the collar was 8.5mm. The reed had a string wrap. Three brass wires at 6mm, 20mm, and 27mm from the bottom.
#22 Paul Hansen, California, USA-bassoon reed
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This reed was 54mm in length. The blade was 26.5mm in length. Width at the tip was 14mm. Width at the collar was 7.5mm. Three wires, (the top two were brass, the bottom one appeared to be steel), were at 5mm, 18mm, and 26mm.
# 24 John Miller, maker Mark Ortwein, USA. The reed was 2.15 in (54.61 mm) in length. The blade was 1.02 in (25.91 mm) in length. The width of the reed at the tip was 0.61 in (15.49 mm). The width of the reed at the collar was 0.34 in (8.64 mm). The reed had a string wrap.
Tip | First wire up | First wire down | Crow by Ewell | Crow by Williams
#25 John Miller, maker Mark Ortwein, USA. The reed was 2.22 in (56.39 mm) in length. The blade was 1.07 in (27.18 mm) in length. The width of the reed at the tip was 0.65 in (16.51 mm). The width of the reed at the collar was 0.33 in (8.38 mm). The reed had a string wrap.
Tip | First wire up | First wire down | Crow by Ewell | Crow by Williams
#26 John Miller, maker Maker Renee Dee of Akron, Ohio, USA.. The reed was 2.22 in (56.39 mm) in length. The blade was 1.12 in (28.45 mm) in length. The width of the reed at the tip was 0.71 in (18.03 mm). The width of the reed at the collar was 0.33 in (8.38 mm). The reed had a string wrap.
Tip | First wire up | First wire down | Crow by Ewell | Crow by Williams
#27 John Miller, maker Keith Bowen or Norbert Nielubowski. The reed was 2.18 in (55.37 mm) in length. The blade was 1.06 in (26.92 mm) in length. The width of the reed at the tip was 0.74 in (18.8 mm). The width of the reed at the collar was 0.36 in (9.14 mm). The reed had a string wrap.
Tip | First wire up | First wire down | Crow by Ewell | Crow by Williams
#28 John Miller, Russian maker unknown. Cane from the Caucasus. The reed was 2.3 in (58.42 mm) in length. The blade was 1.11 in (28.19 mm) in length. The width of the reed at the tip was 0.62 in (15.75 mm). The width of the reed at the collar was 0.35 in (8.89 mm). The reed had a string wrap.
Tip | First wire up | First wire down | Crow by Ewell | Crow by Williams
#29 John Miller, made by a Chinese family of reed makers in Beijing. The reed was 2.2 in (55.88 mm) in length. The blade was 1.07 in (27.18 mm) in length. The width of the reed at the tip was 0.66 in (16.76 mm). The width of the reed at the collar was 0.35 in (8.89 mm). The reed had a string wrap.
Tip | First wire up | First wire down | Crow by Ewell | Crow by Williams
#30 John Miller, maker Dominic Weir, London, UK. Mr. Miller uses these reeds for most of his solo playing. The reed was 2.21 in (56.13 mm) in length. The blade was 1.14 in (28.96 mm) in length. The width of the reed at the tip was 0.68 in (17.27 mm). The width of the reed at the collar was 0.34 in (8.64 mm). The reed had a string wrap.
Tip | First wire up | First wire down | Crow by Ewell | Crow by Williams
#31 Lee Goodhew, Ithaca, New York, USA. Reed used for a recital at Ithaca College on 21 Oct. 99. The reed was 2.21 in (56.13 mm) in length. The blade was 1.12 in (28.45 mm) in length. The width of the reed at the tip was 0.62 in (15.75 mm). The width of the reed at the collar was 0.33 in (8.38 mm). The reed had a string wrap. The number 37 appears on the barrel between the first and second wires.
Tip | First wire up | First wire down | Crow by Ewell | Crow by Williams
#32 Lee Goodhew, Ithaca, New York, USA. Back up reed for recital at Ithaca College on 21 Oct. 99. The reed was 2.15 in (54.61 mm) in length. The blade was 1.04 in (26.42 mm) in length. The width of the reed at the tip was 0.62 in (15.75 mm). The width of the reed at the collar was 0.33 in (8.38 mm). The reed had a string wrap. The number 39 appears on the barrel between the first and second wires.
Tip | First wire up | First wire down | Crow by Ewell | Crow by Williams
#35 Michel Bettez, Canada. The reed was 2.1 in (53.34 mm) in length. The blade was 0.98 in (24.89 mm) in length. The width of the reed at the tip was 0.66 in (16.76 mm). The width of the reed at the collar was 0.37 in (9.4 mm). The reed did not have a wrap.
Tip | First wire up | First wire down | Crow by Ewell | Crow by Williams
#36 Yoshi Ishikawa, Boulder, Colorado, USA. Reed made 08 Oct. 99. Quality 4 stars out of 5. Sound: medium dark. Gouge .58. The reed was 2.28 in (57.91 mm) in length. The blade was 1.09 in (27.69 mm) in length. The width of the reed at the tip was 0.64 in (16.26 mm). The width of the reed at the collar was 0.34 in (8.64 mm). The reed had a string wrap.
Tip | First wire up | First wire down | Crow by Ewell | Crow by Williams
#37 Masahito Tanaka, Japan. The reed was 2.25 in (57.15 mm) in length. The blade was 1.5 in (38.1 mm) in length. The width of the reed at the tip was 0.63 in (16.0 mm). The width of the reed at the collar was 0.34 in (8.64 mm). The reed had a string wrap.
Tip | First wire up | First wire down | Crow by Ewell | Crow by Williams
#38 Yos de Lange, Europe. The reed was 2.16 in (54.86 mm) in length. The blade was 1.08 in (27.43 mm) in length. The width of the reed at the tip was 0.66 in (16.76 mm). The width of the reed at the collar was 0.32 in (8.13 mm). The reed had a string wrap.
Tip | First wire up | First wire down | Crow by Ewell | Crow by Williams
#39 Maxy, Holland. The reed was 2.18 in (55.37 mm) in length. The blade was 1.08 in (27.43 mm) in length. The width of the reed at the tip was 0.7 in (17.78 mm). The width of the reed at the collar was 0.33 in (8.38 mm). The reed had a string wrap.
Tip | First wire up | First wire down | Crow by Ewell | Crow by Williams
#40 Ab Weegenaa? Europe. The reed was 2.13 in (54.1 mm) in length. The blade was 1.09 in (27.69 mm) in length. The width of the reed at the tip was 0.63 in (16.0 mm). The width of the reed at the collar was 0.3 in (7.62 mm). The reed had a string wrap.
Tip | First wire up | First wire down | Crow by Ewell | Crow by Williams
#41 David Gordon, New Zealand? Reed given to Ewell 1983-1986. The reed was 2.13 in (54.1 mm) in length. The blade was 1.02 in (25.91 mm) in length. The width of the reed at the tip was 0.65 in (16.51 mm). The width of the reed at the collar was 0.3 in (7.62 mm). The reed was wrapped with shrinkable tubing.
Tip | First wire up | First wire down | Crow by Ewell | Crow by Williams
#42 Danzi manufactured reed, Italy. Obtained from Miller Marketing, 1999. The reed was 2.19 in (55.63 mm) in length. The blade was 1.12 in (28.45 mm) in length. The width of the reed at the tip was 0.66 in (16.76 mm). The width of the reed at the collar was 0.33 in (8.38 mm). The reed was wrapped with shrinkable tubing.
Tip | First wire up | First wire down | Crow by Ewell | Crow by Williams
#43 Cynthia Estill, Aspen Music Festival, Aspen, Colorado, USA, 1977. The reed was 2.23 in (56.64 mm) in length. The blade was 1.03 in (26.16 mm) in length. The width of the reed at the tip was 0.65 in (16.51 mm). THe width of the reed at the collar was 0.35 in (8.89 mm). The reed was wrapped with shrinkable tubing.
Tip | First wire up | First wire down | Crow by Ewell | Crow by Williams
#44 Leonard Sharrow, Aspen Music Festival Aspen, Colorado, USA, 1977. The reed was 2.14 in (54.36 mm) in length. The blade was 0.98 in (24.89 mm) in length. The width of the reed at the tip was 0.57 in (14.48 mm). The width of the reed at the collar was 0.35 in (8.89 mm). The reed had a string wrap. The number 52C appears on the barrel between the first and second wires.
Tip | First wire up | First wire down | Crow by Ewell | Crow by Williams
#45 Sidney Rosenberg, Seattle, Washington, USA, 1977-1978. The reed was 2.13 in (54.1 mm) in length. The blade was 1.02 in (25.91 mm) in length. The width of the reed at the tip was 0.62 in (15.75 mm). The width of the reed at the collar was 0.31 in (7.87 mm). The reed had a string wrap.
Tip | First wire up | First wire down | Crow by Ewell | Crow by Williams
#46 Arthur Weisberg, Norfolk, Virginia, USA. Summer 1979. The reed was 2.2 in (55.88mm) in length. The blade was 1.03 in (26.16 mm) in length. The width of the reed at the tip was 0.66 in (16.76 mm). The width of the reed at the collar was 0.34 in (8.64 mm). The reed had a string wrap.
Tip | First wire
up | First wire down | Crow
by Ewell | Crow by Williams
Modern French Style Bassoon Reeds
#33 Philippe Hanon, maker Neuranter, France. The reed was 2.38 in (60.45 mm) in length. The blade was 1.13 in (28.7 mm) in length. The width of the reeda t the tip was 0.7 in (17.78 mm). The width of the reed at the collar was 0.33 in (8.38 mm). The reed did not have a wrap.
Tip | First wire up | First wire down | Crow by Ewell | Crow by Williams
#34 Laurent Lefévre. France. The reed was 2.43 in (61.72 mm) in length. The blade was 1.16 in (29.46 mm) in length. The width of the reed at the tip was 0.7 in (17.78 mm). The width of the reed at the collar was 0.33 in (8.38 mm). The reed had a string wrap.
Tip | First wire up | First wire down | Crow by Ewell | Crow by Williams
Baroque Bassoon Reeds (Modern Makers)
#6 Danny Band, Europe-Baroque bassoon reed
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Reed was 64mm in length. The blade was 28mm in length. The width at the tip was 16mm. Width at the collar was 11mm. The reed had a string wrap. Three brass wires were at 5mm, 22mm, and 29.5mm from the bottom.
#23 Robin Howell, Europe-Baroque bassoon reed
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This reed was 73mm in length. The blade was 30mm in length from the tip to the lowest point of the collar. The collar is steep, like an inverted finger-nail shape. The projected tip width was 16.5. The width of the reed at the lowest point of the collar was 11mm. This reed had a string wrap. Three wires, probably copper, at 10mm, 30mm, and 35mm.
Baroque Bassoon Reeds (Period Makers)
These reeds are detailed in Paul White's "Early Bassoon Reeds: A Survey of Some Important Examples" IDRS Journal 16 (1988).
