RDG Mack and Brannen Oboe Shaper Tips

RDG has been in the precision manufacturing of fine shaper tips for decades. Through the most precise mechanical means they are able to guarantee their tips to within .05mm of specs.

Brannen X

This classic oboe shaper tip is a precise reproduction of the Brannen X tip offered by Brannen Woodwinds in the 1950s. It is one of the most popular oboe shapes of all time. Westwind sampled over a dozen original tips and then averaged the results to make sure they were being faithful to the original specifications. RDG now produces these tips.

Mack+ and Mack++

Westwind developed these contemporary oboe shaper tips for John Mack in partnership with Bob Gilbert, the founder of RDG Woodwinds. RDG Woodwinds now produces them themselves.

John Mack used the M+ tip for his own reeds, but he also liked the M and M++ and wanted to give his oboe students some options to choose from. The + and ++ tips are respectively, .001 in. and .002 in. wider than the "M" model. All three RDG/Mack tips have a narrower tip than the original Mack/Pfeiffer tips, reflecting a refinement in Mr. Mack's definition of his ideal tip later in his career.

Mack-Pfeiffer

This classic oboe shaper tip is a reproduction of the original John Mack tip made by Freddy Pfeiffer. Westwind sampled over a half dozen original tips and then averaged the results to make sure they were being faithful to the original specifications. This tip lies in the middle of the comparative series, although the belly is narrower in proportion to the tip than most of the others. The tip is wider than the more contemporary RDG-Mack tips which were developed for Mr. Mack later in his career. RDG is now the producer of these tips.

All shapers and shaper tips have a 30-day trial period. Compare several, choose one, and send back the rest for a full refund minus shipping. Returns after the 30-day trial period will be subject to a 10% restocking fee in addition to the cost of shipping, but must be returned in like new to new physical condition.