Baroque oboe d'Amore reed: Gabriel

Gabriel's baroque oboe d'amore reeds are made with 15.25-15.5mm diameter cane, shaped by hand at 10-10.3mm width at tip. Tied on a modified Glotin staple (28mm) for baritone oboe.
Total length of reed (staple + cane) is 51-51.5mm.

These reeds are tried on a J. H. Eichentopf oboe d'amore copy made by A. Ponchio.
A=415Hz.

The modified bariton staples follow an idea of Andreas Helm. They have relatively wide bottom and top openings, allowing for a free blow and generous sound. Second octave responds very well, although the g2 tends to be a bit flat (although this can be rather see as positive).

Gabriel's tips for breaking in a new reed:
The reed might have been dry in a box for a long time. Please soak it in water for a longer time the first time you play it. If there is any sort of air leakage on the sides (you will hear in the sound even the smallest leak), feel free to use any sort of sealing material you might usually use (teflon tape, parafilm, goldbeater's skin, brass wire, etc.) I am using natural bee's wax in a generous quantity when making the reeds and it usually seals the reeds well without additional help.

If the opening of the reed is too wide after soaking it in water, try to close the opening with gentle pressure between your fingers. Do not break your teeth trying to play in reeds with too wide of an opening! Also if the sound is still too "windy" or "noisy", try to close the reed more before making any other adjustments. It takes a bit of playing and a day or two to get there.