Reed Project

German Style

Measurements, photographs, and sound examples of German-style bassoon reeds.

References: Also see these publications:

Terry B. Ewell with Todd Goranson. “Double Reed Measurements Part 1: Bassoon Reeds,” Scrapes International 2 (December 1999): 56-64. Reprinted in The Double Reed 23/4 (2000): 57-66.

Co-authored with Todd Goranson. “Reed Measurements Part 2: Bassoon and Contrabassoon Reeds,” Scrapes 8/1 (April 2001): 65-77. Republished in the Dutch edition of Scrapes 8/2 (May 2001): 51-63.

Co-authored with Karen Williams. “Measurements of North American Bassoon Reeds” The Double Reed 25/3 (2002): 97-104.

Terry B. Ewell with Karen Williams, “The John Miller Bassoon Reed Collection,” The Double Reed 41/3 (Winter 2018): 55-67. This is a reprint of the article in Scrapes (November 2002): 15-21.

Notes 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. Authors Terry B. Ewell and 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. Authors Terry B. Ewell and Todd Goranson. Republished in the Dutch edition of Scrapes 8/2 (May 2001): 51-63.

Blade and bore measurements of bassoon reeds #24-30 are in “The John Miller Bassoon Reed Collection,” Scrapes (November 2002): 15-21. Authors Terry B. Ewell and Karen Williams.

Blade and bore measurements of bassoon reeds #31-46 are in “Measurements of North American Bassoon Reeds” The Double Reed 25/3 (2002): 97-104. Authors Terry B. Ewell and Karen Williams.

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.

The authors gratefully acknowledge support from the Faculty Development and Research Committee of Towson University that made possible the measurements for reeds #24-46.

Modern German Style Bassoon Reeds

#1. Rose Corrigan, Pasadena, California, USA-bassoon reed.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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)

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

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.

# 24 John Miller, maker Mark Ortwein, USA.: First wire up — **# 24 John Miller, maker Mark Ortwein, USA. — First wire up**Photograph hosted on 2reed.net.

# 24 John Miller, maker Mark Ortwein, USA.: First wire down — **# 24 John Miller, maker Mark Ortwein, USA. — First wire down**Photograph hosted on 2reed.net.

#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.

#25 John Miller, maker Mark Ortwein, USA.: First wire up — **#25 John Miller, maker Mark Ortwein, USA. — First wire up**Photograph hosted on 2reed.net.

#25 John Miller, maker Mark Ortwein, USA.: First wire down — **#25 John Miller, maker Mark Ortwein, USA. — First wire down**Photograph hosted on 2reed.net.

#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.

#26 John Miller, maker Maker Renee Dee of Akron, Ohio, USA.: First wire up — **#26 John Miller, maker Maker Renee Dee of Akron, Ohio, USA. — First wire up**Photograph hosted on 2reed.net.

#26 John Miller, maker Maker Renee Dee of Akron, Ohio, USA.: First wire down — **#26 John Miller, maker Maker Renee Dee of Akron, Ohio, USA. — First wire down**Photograph hosted on 2reed.net.

#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.

#27 John Miller, maker Keith Bowen or Norbert Nielubowski.: First wire up — **#27 John Miller, maker Keith Bowen or Norbert Nielubowski. — First wire up**Photograph hosted on 2reed.net.

#27 John Miller, maker Keith Bowen or Norbert Nielubowski.: First wire down — **#27 John Miller, maker Keith Bowen or Norbert Nielubowski. — First wire down**Photograph hosted on 2reed.net.

#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.

#28 John Miller, Russian maker unknown. Cane from the Caucasus.: First wire up — **#28 John Miller, Russian maker unknown. Cane from the Caucasus. — First wire up**Photograph hosted on 2reed.net.

#28 John Miller, Russian maker unknown. Cane from the Caucasus.: First wire down — **#28 John Miller, Russian maker unknown. Cane from the Caucasus. — First wire down**Photograph hosted on 2reed.net.

#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.

#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.

#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.

#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.

#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.

#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.

#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.

#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.

#39 Maxy, Europe, 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.

#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.

#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.

#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.

#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.

#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.

#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.

#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.

Adapted for 2reedPlus from the original Reed Project page.