The usual wait time until reeds are ready to send is c. 3-4 weeks. Most products, including the bassoon and contra reeds, are made to order to suit your needs, so I will need a few weeks to prepare them and to test them thoroughly. Some items, such as “Yellow band” reeds, are either in stock or sold out. If they are in stock, I aim to dispatch them in c. 1-2 working days.

You are always welcome to contact me to ask for an update on your order.

I use Royal Mail Tracked 24 for almost all orders, so once they are dispatched they should arrive quickly.

Up to 5 bassoon reeds (or 4 contra reeds): £3.95

6-10 bassoon reeds (5-8 contra reeds): 2x£3.95 = £7.90

11-15 bassoon reeds (8-12 contra reeds): 3x£3.95 = £11.85

etc.

Why? So that the reeds are correctly insured during postage, I send them in boxes of no more than 5 bassoon reeds (or 4 contra reeds). Each box costs £3.95 to send.

(For other items, such as Yellow Band reeds or the new customer offer, postage is calculated based on order values).

Yes! London Reeds are not too hard and therefore highly suitable for players who are at the start of (or maybe returning to) their bassoon ‘journey’. I make reeds to suit individual players, so just let me know your preferences and I will make a reed to suit you.

Yes! There are several players with jobs in top orchestras who report enjoying their jobs more now as a result of playing on London Reeds!

Do please let me know that you are a professional player and- importantly- your make of bassoon when ordering so that I can make a reed that will suit you well, and is hard/dark enough.

Yes, baroque bassoon reeds (A=415) are available on request via the Contact page of this website.

There is a 5% discount on subscription orders. I may also be able to offer small discounts on orders of 10 or more reeds, particularly if you are a teacher with many students who need reeds, so do get in touch if you would like to discuss this.

London Reeds are often described by customers as being ‘ready to play’. My aim is to finish them so that someone who doesn’t know how to adjust reeds should be able to use them straight out of the box. However, I am still happy to help with adjustments and improvements, particularly as every instrument is unique. Do get in touch via the Contact page or londonreeds@outlook.com for advice.

I use a special kind of hot glue which is labelled as safe for use in food packaging by the FDA. I think this is important due to the close proximity of the binding to our mouths, and how we soak the reeds in water prior to use.

Yes! I don’t currently sell directly to the EU, but one of my retailers does.

For EU customers, London Reeds can be purchased here, via Just Flutes:

www.justflutes.com/shop/product/london-reeds-bassoon-reed/1707137

For larger orders, orders requiring customisation, or when certain strengths are out of stock, it is likely possible to place a custom order via Just Flutes to suit your preferences. Get in touch via the Contact page on the London Reeds website if you would like help with this.

As of recently, I have started to make reeds for Tom Hardy bassoon reeds. I would advise potential US customers to look into ordering from the Tom Hardy website here: https://www.tomhardybassoon.com/bassoon_reeds_for_sale/reeds.php

Aside from this, last time I checked, postage and tariffs to the US look to be c. £10-12 each, i.e. a total of c. £20-24 for postage and tariffs combined. NB this is approximate and subject to change.

Eek! You’re not the only one!

If you are in need of reeds urgently there are a couple of options:

1) Go on to the Just Flutes, John Packer, Windblowers, or Woodwind and Reed websites and search for “London Reeds”. You may be able to get reeds in the next few days to a week.

2) Contact me and I will do my best to help. I may or may not be able to help, depending on current workload, but I will do my best.

You can reach me anytime via the contact page or email. I aim to respond quickly—usually within 48 hours, but often faster. I am also an active orchestral musician, so my working hours are often strange and wonderful, meaning that you are likely to receive a quick reply, and it could be at any time!

Email: londonreeds@outlook.com

There is also a London Reeds Facebook page, featuring some very colourful binding pictures.