Premium Oboe Reeds by Hansjörg Schellenberger
Hansjörg Schellenberger primarily uses cane that has been well-dried and harvested at least 4–5 years before processing.
He avoids plastic wrapping, as it traps moisture and causes the reed to deteriorate more quickly. Instead, he uses brass wire to precisely align both sides of the reed, sealing any potential leaks and adjusting the reed's opening through lateral or vertical pressure. To maximize the lifespan of the reed, it should not be played continuously; instead, it should be given time to dry out completely after each use. Based on his experience, moistened reed cases are not advisable.
Hansjörg Schellenberger on his Reeds:
"For six decades, I have crafted reeds for myself and my oboe playing, striving to tailor them to my technical and artistic expectations—a long, arduous, and sometimes frustrating journey, but one that has led to ever-deepening insights and experience. Today, after a long career as an oboist who remains actively engaged, I want to share this knowledge by offering reeds for sale. Each one is handcrafted with the highest precision and undergoes multiple tests by me in its final stage. For this reason, I do not produce large quantities—every reed is a unique piece designed to function as perfectly as possible.
My fundamental requirements for an oboe reed are not defined by categories such as 'darker' or 'brighter' sound, as tonal perception varies from player to player. The most important criterion is functionality—the reed must respond to every artistic intention. It should also enable the player to blend seamlessly with other instruments in orchestral and chamber music settings.
Since the oboe is closely related to the human voice and is often used by composers for its singing quality, the reed should function like vocal cords: with minimal resistance, vibrating freely, and as flexible as possible, allowing each musician to realize their unique sound. Any excessive resistance in the reed drains energy and hinders expressive, free playing.
The stability of intonation and control of airflow are not the reed's responsibility but must be managed by the player through well-controlled breathing technique (support) and an open, flexible embouchure. This ensures that the musician controls the reed rather than being controlled by it."
- Shaper Form
- ORTEGA
- Instrument
- Oboe
- Processing Level
- ready to play
- Length of Scrape
- 10.0 - 11.0 mm
- Gouging Thickness
- 0.55 – 0.57 mm
- Cane Diameter
- 10.0 – 10.5 mm
- Template
- –
- Manufacturer
- Hansjörg Schellenberger