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Frequently asked questions

General FAQ's

I live in Connecticut. Can I pick up my order instead?

We have temporarily suspended in-store pickups.



What is the return policy?

If for any reason you don't like the reeds you receive, contact us within 5 business days of receipt and we'll work with you to make it right. Once we receive the faulty reed(s), we will issue a replacement or a refund. Please note that reeds MUST be in the same condition when we receive it to be eligible for a replacement or a refund. If the reed looks heavily used, scraped on, manipulated in any way, or chipped, a partial refund will be given instead of a replacement. International orders outside the U.S. will be issued a partial refund (minus shipping fees). You are responsible for mailing the reed back to us and if the reed looks heavily used, scraped on, manipuated in any way, or chipped, the refund is subject to an additional fee. For both international and domestic returns, you are responsible for packing the reed(s) securely and safely. Please be sure to use the box provided (or similar), pack it inside the reed coffin, and pad it with bubble wrap. If the reed is damaged by careless packing, you will be responsible for damages.



I need a reed ASAP.

Our reeds are handmade & made-to-order so they require a few days to finish. If you need a reed ASAP, we have an emergency reed service (next-day), or priority processing (skip-the-waitlist).



How long will it take for my order/reeds to get to me?

Please check the wait-time estimator for the most current and updated wait times for handmade reeds. You can access it on our front page or by hovering over the FAQ navigation menu at the top of the page. If you need an expedited reed service, we have the Emergency Reed (next-day) or the Priority Processing (skip-the-waitlist) options avaiable for purchase. Please note, we can not control the speed/delays of the shipping companies once we ship out. Please order ahead & allow enough time for delivery. Orders without reeds (shaped cane, gouged cane, tube cane, accessories, etc) will usually be shipped out next business day.



Where do you ship?

We ship worldwide, and we calculate your shipping based on the weight of your package. Your rate will be automatically displayed at checkout.



Reed Adjustments (without a knife)

General Reed Tips READ ME FIRST!

We recommend dipping the reeds in lukewarm (not cold) water and leave it out for 30-60 seconds. We don’t recommend leaving your reed sitting in a cup of water since that causes the fibers of the cane to over soak. Depending on your climate/humidity you may have to adjust these times accordingly. Don’t try to play or adjust a dry reed. Avoid dropping, bending the tip, or any other extreme activities. We clip one side of the tip slightly longer than the other. The side of the blade with the thread overlap should be facing towards you when putting it in the oboe. On our reeds, we put the oboe duck logo on the side of the overlap. The logo should face towards you! Reeds usually have a "break-in" period where you, the reed, and the oboe will get used to playing with each other. They tend to sound best at their peak (about 2-3 hours in), and will start to decline after about 10-15 hours of total usage. Then it's time to buy or make a new reed!



Which side is the overlap?

The side of the blade with the thread overlap should be facing towards you when putting it in the oboe. See the picture below for the overlap. Here is a closeup picture. This side should be facing towards you as you insert the reed into the oboe. The back of the oboe should look like this.



Reed is too SHARP.

Open up the reed with your thumb & index finger by gently pinching up the sides.
If you have some 600-grit sandpaper, you can run the reed gently from the heart to the tip (focusing mainly on the heart area).



Reed is too FLAT.

Clip a tiny, tiny amount with a GEM Razorblade. Remember to use a cutting block and that a little goes a long way, so work little by little until you get the result you want. GEM razorblades are much sharper than regular razorblades and are highly recommended for tip clipping. Clip with the overlap facing up on the cutting block (towards you) and clip it at a 45-degree angle so that the bottom blade will be longer than the top blade.



Reed is too CLOSED.

Dip the reed in water again and let it sit out an additional 1-2 minutes. You can also try to gently squeeze the opening to open it up.



Reed is too OPEN.

Close it down by gently pressing on the blades with your finger & thumb for about 30 seconds. This is particularly true with brand new reeds!



Reed is too EASY/VIBRANT.

Clip a tiny, tiny amount with a GEM Razorblade. Remember to use a cutting block and that a little goes a long way, so work little by little until you get the result you want. GEM razorblades are much sharper than regular razorblades and are highly recommended for tip clipping. Clip with the overlap facing up on the cutting block (towards you) and clip it at a 45-degree angle so that the bottom blade will be longer than the top blade.



Reed is too HARD/RESISTANT.

Close it down with your finger & thumb for about 30 seconds or you can run the reed gently from the heart to the tip with 600-grit sandpaper, focusing mainly on the sides of the reed.



Thread Colors

Can I see what the thread colors look like?

Please go to this page to see our thread color examples. Please keep in mind different computer screens & resolutions may not represent exact thread color. Variegated colors may also differ slightly depending on the wrap placement.