Reed Shapes
Available Bassoon Reed Shapes
Blain
The Blain bassoon reed shape is a modified Mechler style shape because of the reverse radius that reduces the tip flare. For the most part, this shape is simple and straightforward. The blade is straight with a couple of deviations; at the collar, and a reverse radius reduces the tip flare. The tube width is above average with a substantial flare contour to reduce reaming.
Knochenauer
The Knochenauer bassoon reed shape is comprised of curves. There are no straight lines in the contour. The blade always flares outward with no inward curves.
Fox 1
The Fox 1 bassoon reed shape is a modified Knochenauer shape and includes a combination of straight and curved segments.
Fox 2
The Fox 2 bassoon reed shape is one of the most popular reed shapes. Similar to the Rieger 1A, it is a almost a Knockenhauer shape with a straight-line blade.
Fox 3
The Fox 3 bassoon reed shape is the widest of the numbered fox bassoon shapes, a modified-Knochenauer shape, the Fox 3 shape includes a combination of straight and curved segments.
Herzberg
The Herzberg bassoon reed shape is a very well-known reed shape among professional bassoonists. It is considered a modified Mechler style with a significant flare to 10.5mm at the end of the tube. This flare is adjusted while beveling to create lever action or fulcrum, which means the end of the final dimension of the tube is dependent on your preferred amount of beveling.
Rieger 1A
The Rieger 1A bassoon reed shape is one of the most popular reed shapes. Similar to the Fox 2, it is almost a Knochenauer style shape with a straight-line blade.
Rieger 2
The Rieger 2 bassoon shape is a true Knochenauer style shape. There are no straight lines in the contour and the blade flares outward.