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Past comments from reedreviews.net
swoboe11 { 08.20.12 at 1:50 pm }
Advanced–Plays Weekly–Used More than 10 reedmakers–Reedmaking: Buy but adjust
I want to add to my previous comment because I recently received two of Charles, reeds that we’re not up to par. I called the company and got to speak with Brian Charles personally. He said the reeds were unacceptable and he wanted to replace them and send me one of his pro reeds to try! I was very happy with the fast and friendly customer service I received from this company and I will keep using them and recommending them to everyone.
2 mrbighead { 08.15.12 at 2:34 pm }
Intermediate–Plays Most days–Used 6-10 reedmakers–Reedmaking: Buy and do not adjust
I need to add an important update to my earlier review. That review was about someone on Amazon who is passing himself off as Charles Reeds/Double Reeds and shipping what appear to be counterfeit reeds that exactly match the authentic Charles Reeds product in packaging etc. Brian Charles did call me today only minutes after I left a message on his phone and sent an email. He has already contacted Amazon about this and I will do so as well tomorrow. He even offered to replace the five ‘fake’ reeds I got from Amazon, a generous offer which I cannot take since it is not fair to him — he had nothing to do with these scammers. So my apologies to Brian for jumping all over him for something that someone else should be taking the heat for…..
3 mrbighead { 08.15.12 at 1:06 pm }
Intermediate–Plays Most days–Used 6-10 reedmakers–Reedmaking: Buy and do not adjust
bought lots of reeds from them, two out of the last five I got were total lemons. they basically told me to get lost….not nice. will be spending my money elsewhere.
4 oboefaith { 08.11.12 at 12:51 pm }
Advanced–Plays Most days–Used 6-10 reedmakers–Reedmaking: Usually make my own reeds
I have purchased several Charles reeds – three from ebay and one from a local music store. I love them. Two of the reeds I have had and played several hours a week for well over six months. They went a bit sharp at first but my embouchure eventually got stronger and the reeds are SPOT ON in tune. So much so that my band conductor even complemented me on my tone. I did not have to adjust one reed at all – it is perfect. Five stars from me. I highly recommend the student mediums.
5 swoboe11 { 08.07.12 at 12:51 pm }
Advanced–Plays Weekly–Used More than 10 reedmakers–Reedmaking: Buy but adjust
I’ve tested just about every reed I could get my hands on and have found Charles’ reeds to be the most responsive, balanced, and consistent reeds out there. I’ve tried everything from manufactured reeds to hand made ones from professionals and really didn’t find anything I liked until a bassoonist recommended this company to me. The best thing I can say about them is that they are consistent- you know what you are going to get. They also have a nice dark tone and are a good value for the price. I’ve never had to return anything so I can’t comment on the company’s customer service- and I think that is a good thing!
6 HairyMcLeary { 01.18.11 at 2:43 pm }
Intermediate–Plays Weekly–Used 6-10 reedmakers–Reedmaking: Buy and do not adjust
I have found Brian Charles’ reeds to be of good quality and tone once broken in. I live in New Zealand and prefer his reeds to any other available here. They are also very good value for money and by buying direct they are usually cheaper than other reeds in music stores.
7 Lydia { 01.18.11 at 8:01 am }
Intermediate–Plays Weekly–Used 2-5 reedmakers–Reedmaking: Buy and do not adjust
I play twice a week in a church orchestra. I hate making my own reeds and ordered, and hated, reeds from a couple of places before finding Brian Charles. I have been very pleased with the standard reeds. I like some better than others, as has always been the case with reeds in my 40-plus years of playing. I sent one reed back and got very fast service. I rarely have had any problems after breaking them in, and then I use them till they “die.” I plan to continue to order from Brian Charles, and I stock up when they run a sale.
8 rlwilley81 { 01.18.11 at 7:44 am }
Advanced–Plays Most days–Used More than 10 reedmakers–Reedmaking: Buy but adjust
It amazes me how negative the feedback is here. Especially the feedback from beginners who really don’t understand all that goes into the reed making process. I must confess I did learn how to make reeds when I studied oboe in college but much to my and definitely my teachers dismay, I never really got it enough to play on my own reeds. So I know what a challenging task it is to make a reed that’s going to make you sound like the best oboe player ever (that’s all we all want isn’t it?). Most of the negative comments on here don’t even make sense. “Fairly easy to play but the quality was lacking” If you can play it without adjusting it that usually means it’s of fairly decent quality. “I got my reed and I soaked it and it only lasted two weeks” I’m assuming you actually played it after you soaked it. And as your profile says “plays most days” if you play a reed enough and environmental conditions are just so, sometimes that’s all you get out of reed, regardless of who made it.
So if you are a more advanced oboe player reading this and are thinking twice about ordering, don’t. Know your audience. Most of the more seasoned players who have commented have nothing but good things to say, maybe except that teacher. And in that situation you never know what happened with the student and the company, or if something happened to the reeds prior to the teacher examining them.
The best part about CDR is just what Brian posted bellow. Not happy with your reed purchase? Just call the company, chances are they will let you speak to Brian personally, and the will come up with a compromise for your situation. I challenge any of you beginners to go down to the local music store, choose a reed from the five they carry, pay $20, find out it’s cracked right up the middle and try to return it. It’s not going to happen. And in the rare situation you find one that’s visually ok, when you start playing on it at home it will be 20 cents flat and sound like garbage.
So my own personal experience with the reeds. I played them in college (about 10 years ago) and was very happy. After a tiny vacation from the oboe, (Brian is also great at repairs), I bought one of his reeds. It was too hard for me, but because it’s so stable and the tone is so nice I’m keeping it so I can work back up to a harder reed. Sometimes the player has to take some responsibility for shortcomings and not just blame on the reed.
Lastly as oboe players we need to stick together. While Brian is very open to criticism, how many of you actually contacted him before posting negatively on here? The Oboe and it’s reeds have a whole set of finicky, complicated issues that only Oboists understand, so lets support each other. And instead of using the internet to complain be proactive and do something to make your situation better!
9 Friesian { 11.02.10 at 7:48 pm }
Beginner–Plays Most days–Used 2-5 reedmakers–Reedmaking: Buy and do not adjust
I ordered from this company twice. The first time, the reeds I got were okay. They were fairly easy to play and adjust, but the quality seemed to be lacking. The reeds started peeling after only a short while of playing, but they kept making decent sounds for a respectable amount of time. When those reeds finally wore out, I ordered from this company again. The reeds I recieved were lacking in quality, to say the least. One played so flat that my band director spent nearly half of one of my band’s practices trying to get me in tune, and ended up just throwing his arms up in exasperation and stomping his feet, completely at a loss as to why I sounded like a flat, dying duck. The other reed I ordered had a horrible leak in the side, and was unplayable from the moment I got it. Only one of the reeds was decent, at most. To the credit of this company, they have an easy to navigate website, and good service, but from my experience, I find the quality of their reeds to be lacking.
10 peacemaddy101 { 04.10.10 at 4:09 pm }
Beginner–Plays Most days–Used 2-5 reedmakers–Reedmaking: Buy but adjust
This reed brand is very very bad!!! I got my reed and i soaked it and well it only lasted 2 weeks!!!! It started splitting at the edges and peeling away! So if you get this brand i would consider getting a new brand!
11 Brian Charles { 10.19.09 at 8:31 am }
Professional–Plays Most days–Used More than 10 reedmakers–Reedmaking: Professional reedmaker
Hi,
I’m the reed maker and the owner of Charles Double Reed Company. I’ve read some of the flames on this list in wonder and amazement. Our reputation for service and quality has been outstanding for over 26 years, and we specialize in double reeds – a very small community of players. How could we have lasted this long providing such poor service and quality? Beats me.
Regardless of the anonymous comments, please know that we welcome returns of reeds – even if you scrape and play on them. We refund, replace, or credit you for any reed that seems not to your liking. We’ve offered this guarantee since I began the company in 1984.
I work hard at reed making, but I know that I cannot make reeds that suit everyone. So much depends upon embouchure, ability of the player, quality of the instrument, altitude, humidity and more.
That’s why we welcome returns, and appreciate suggestions. We will not leave you stuck with products that don’t work well for you. Tell us if we’re close, and we will custom make the next batch according to your comments.
If you have any questions, call me at 1 800-733-3847 or email me at brian@charlesmusic.com to discuss my reeds and our service. Please ask for me personally – I’ve been welcoming comments both positive and negative for over 26 years.
We have a well-known reputation for quick, intelligent, honest service and the highest standards in everything we offer. Visit us at http://www.charlesmusic.com or call (603) 356-9890 for personal service, caring professional experience and the best guarantee in the double reed world. You will not be disappointed – I guarantee it.
12 Colin { 04.02.09 at 4:47 pm }
I thought I would try a few different reeds. My results were mixed. The Standard oboe reed and the Fibre reed were unplayable (Standard-collapsed right away) or sounded horrible (Fibre). The Fibrecane and Pro reed were good and the Telos was excellent. Unless the next few reeds I order from places recommended from this site are better, it looks like the Telos reed will be my future reed of choice.
13 Anonymous { 11.13.08 at 8:07 am }
Very fast and was easy to use web site. Reeds play great!
14 christine { 11.12.08 at 6:03 am }
I find is very easy to season it.. however, it’s too expensive and not worth it.
15 Anonymous { 11.03.08 at 10:44 am }
As opposed to the last commenter, I sent reeds back, and the customer service was fantastic. They sent out new reeds and a discount on future orders, AND the new reeds were much more to my liking. I know of no other company with such a great return policy, and such friendly and efficient service.
16 Anonymous { 10.05.08 at 7:13 pm }
POOR REEDS AND POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE.
As a teacher, I want my students to set themselves up for success with functional oboes, good reeds, and studies that are appropriate for their growing skill level. Reeds are one of the most important keys to good playing; however, I cannot make reeds for every student given my time constraints. Therefore, I recommend that beginners and intermediate students who are not ready to start the reed-making process purchase reeds and I can modify them to suit their needs.
One of my students purchased several reeds from Charles Double Reed Company. None were functional and I was surprised to see that any company would send reeds out in that condition. They were so flat and short that it was impossible for me to bring the crow up to anything close to a C (they were all crowing between a F# and G). I contacted the owner who instructed my student to send the reeds back for an exchange or refund. The student elected for the refund, but it never came. It has been over 4 months and no refund, despite my student’s parent placing several calls for the same. I would not recommend these reeds or the company to anyone.
17 Dan { 08.17.08 at 9:24 pm }
They are good beginner reels. Also at my local store they where cheaper and easy to make a sound with.
But once you get over the basics find another reed. They sound terrible, really inconsistent, and they don’t last.
18 Anonymous { 02.12.08 at 3:16 pm }
These reeds were the worst I’ve ever tried. They had almost no opening and the tone was very weak. I sent them back for a refund.
(However, the Charles Double Reed Company website is great and easy to use for finding other oboe products.)
19 Anonymous { 11.14.07 at 3:32 pm }
Would not recommend. Terrible sound like a sick duck. Pitch extremly difficult to predict or control. Tone leaves much to be desired. Will not use again.
20 Oboist { 12.19.06 at 8:15 pm }
Ordered four reeds from here, weren’t too good at all. One had mildew inside, my teacher and I could do virtually nothing to make them play well….only useful for a player that wants an oboe reed to make a sound easily but cares little about tone.
21 Anonymous { 11.12.06 at 8:33 am }
Bought two professional reeds from this company. Very disappointing….. they both looked and sounded deplorable. Gouges were left in the middle of one of the reeds and both sounded like they had been run over by a truck more than once. There was nothing my teacher or I could do to save them…. Will never buy from again!
22 Anonymous { 10.30.06 at 9:39 am }
very usable pro oboe reeds – especially the blank version.
23 Anonymous { 09.08.06 at 12:46 pm }
EXCELLENT reeds
24 Anonymous { 09.08.06 at 12:46 pm }
After years of playing the clarinet. I wanted to try the oboe. I had read that using ready made reeds was a set up for trouble. However, I was pleasantly surprised at how easy Charles beginner reeds were to use.
They were well made and had a wonderful sound.
I also appreciated the helpful customer service representative who helped me with my purchase.
25 Anonymous { 09.08.06 at 12:43 pm }
Used them for years. Overall they make terrific reeds and give great service.
26 Ed in Tucson { 04.23.06 at 3:05 pm }
Although I’ve only tried half a dozen of these reeds, I haven’t had a bad one yet.
27 anonymous { 04.19.06 at 5:31 pm }
Some of the reeds are okay, others not. Some very flat. Very reedy.