Britannia Reeds

3 comments

1 Prutts { 11.13.09 at 9:33 am }

Advanced--Plays Most days--Used 6-10 reedmakers--Reedmaking: Buy but adjust

Never seem to get two the same. Always had to correct them – Lorée oboe.

2 Geoff Bridge British Double Reed Society { 05.08.09 at 7:03 am }

Professional--Used more than 10 reedmakers--Plays most days--Usually makes own reeds

I have now tried some of Britannia’s reeds: the Arion and the Reinhart models.
There are are so many to choose from that I wondered how I would cope with making the choice. However they are returnable – a service not always offered – so I plumped for four Reinhart and four Arion reeds to try different scraping styles. I am very impressed with the Reinhart which suits me very well. The Arion style has a W scrape and seemed a little brighter than I would have imagined. The reeds are wired as standard and as usual I removed that as I prefer them without. The vibration of both styles was big and I didn’t need to force the air through them. The ones I have played more on have settled down with a little adjustment of the tips which is left quite a bit thicker than I like – but only a little. This is easy to adjust to taste as it were. A little bit like adding seasoning at the end of a dish.
As I usually make my own reeds I am very critical of good construction values being upheld. The stability of the tying on is very good and there are no leaks. A couple of the eight reeds received have a little crossing at the throat but this hasn’t stopped them working well. This suggests that the cane quality and gouge is good as I know only too well that with good cane – occasionally I have some! – it doesn’t seem to matter how I tie them on they work.
Britannia Reeds have been in the business for thirty years and should know a thing or two about reeds by now. Though would it be easier for us if they reduced their choice I wonder? Maybe not.
Let’s now see how long they last!

3 Administrator { 05.06.09 at 11:26 am }

New page up for Brittania Reeds