Dear Mark,
Many thanks for your kind words and taking the time to leave us a review. We hope you enjoy making those contra reeds and we look forward to having you shop with us again soon.
Very best wishes,
Eliza @ Crook & Staple
D
David H.
Superb Contra Cane
This is an excellent cane which forms well without cracking to the collar. It has been profiled with the ideal tube length for my style of reed. The hardness of the cane seems good for chamber and orchestral playing, though I might choose harder cane for exposed orchestral work.
I found it worked at once, I did not have to scrape or adjust the wires. The sound is excellent throughout the range. High notes are reasonably easy to reach but I could not get top D. (I often have that trouble and it may be a reflection on me but I can get top D on every Legere plastic reed easily.) It is quite hard to blow so I will get tired quickly as it is. That is easily adjusted though. This one is in my bassoon case as my concert best.
I normally buy the KGE Standard reed from Crook and Staple, but due to supply chain issues, I asked to upgrade to the KGE Professional. It seems to be a free-blowing reed but I've yet to play it properly.
When I ordered the chart I was expecting something a little larger and easier to read. I also was hoping for more alternative fingering options and trill fingering. I don’t know if the description was a accurate or if I have simply expected more than I should.
Having never adjusted my own reed before this simple guide is amazing. I can now make basic adjustments to my store bought reeds to ensure they function 100% all the time.