RDG Woodwinds

8 comments

1 Hoboe { 11.11.10 at 11:26 pm }

Advanced--Plays Most days--Used 2-5 reedmakers--Reedmaking: Buy but adjust

I recently purchased their reserve super expensive $45 reed. I actually bought two. Why did I spend that much for a reed? I don’t know. Anyway, both reeds barely worked. One had the windows dug into. So much so that there was a tiny hole near the spine. The second one seemed ok, until I played on it. It didn’t give me a dynamic past maybe mezzo piano? I’m sure they make good finished reeds, but if you don’t choose them yourself you have a high chance of not receiving the best.

2 budodude { 09.20.10 at 10:41 am }

Intermediate--Plays Most days--Used 2-5 reedmakers--Reedmaking: Buy but adjust

I posting this up after speaking with one of their associates about an order of three reeds. To make a long story short, two of the three reeds leaked, and we were unable to determine this in a short time period (a month lag between reception and call) because of a vacation.

Upon contacting the store, I was informed that “gosh, that’s too bad – we wish we had heard from you earlier. There’s nothing we can do about that. Did you get the reeds with the black thread? Maybe you should try different reeds next time.” The implication was that they sent black threaded reeds because they didn’t have any white – and that the black threaded ones were inferior.

I do understand that reeds are not returnable – I also expect that I won’t be sold things that don’t work – and that if they don’t, *some* accommodation will be made.

Very disappointing customer service. However, I am thrilled to find this site, as now I don’t have to put up with crap customer service and I can look to see other’s experiences before buying reeds (which are no small investment).

3 Sarah { 01.03.09 at 5:19 am }

RDG’s reeds have really helped me out a lot. I especially like the green professional oboe reeds. I’ve always had good luck with them.

4 Oboe Teacher { 03.31.08 at 12:04 pm }

RDG is the best there is for all things oboe. They have developed more products than anyone. We are lucky to have them. For those that think the reeds are to hard, then they need to get with someone for a quick lesson on how to scrape a little to make a reed fit their embouchure. Not learning to scrape is like letting someone else bruch your teeth for the rest of your life. It is not hard to do. Even if you are sure you will never wnat to make your own reeds, you must leanr to adjust them. there are even good books that can tell you how to do it. RDG sells those too. Eveyone who plays the oboe should learn to scrape. If my 11 year old students can do it so can you.

5 Anon { 12.07.07 at 11:14 am }

I agree that RDG reeds are hit and miss. For cane supplies, RDG is definitely #1 in my book, but for reeds, I’ll pass. I’ve personally known oboists who’ve worked there and know how the quickly the reeds are made. Think about it…if the had oboists making reeds, wouldn’t you think they’d take the best out of the batch to keep for themselves??

6 Piko { 12.06.07 at 1:25 pm }

RDG has good reeds, but they let people go through them and pick out the best so that what is left are usually the more closed reeds.

7 me { 10.29.07 at 4:48 pm }

I just bought reeds from RDG and tried them out. All my notes are fuzzy and I am having to play SOOOO Hard to get them out. I am very frustrated right now and desperately need a good source for reeds.

8 Anonymous { 07.31.07 at 9:07 pm }

RDG is an excellent supplier of double reed products, and I will continue to purchase cane, thread, knives and other supplies for as long as I play oboe. However, the reeds I bought from them were very poor quality. The sound was dark, but any note below a “D” at the bottom of the staff was impossible. One of them leaked, and the other had such a huge opening that I couldn’t play on it without hurting my mouth.