Shalita Chaparral Pro Oboe Reed

The Shalita Chaparral Pro is a handcrafted professional oboe reed made in the Cleveland/Mack style — a distinct American long-scrape approach known for its full, resonant tone and exceptional dynamic range. Made by Joseph Shalita, Principal Oboist of the State of Mexico Symphony Orchestra since 2004.

Playing Characteristics Resistance: Medium. Opening: Medium. Full, powerful tone with strong projection and excellent response from pianissimo to fortissimo. The Cleveland/Mack style produces a reed with more body and warmth than the Philadelphia style — handles dynamic extremes without closing up or losing center.

Who It's For Professional oboists and advanced students who prefer the Cleveland/Mack sound — fuller, warmer, with more body. Players performing demanding orchestral repertoire that requires power, depth, and dynamic flexibility.

Who It's Not For Beginning and intermediate players. If you're still developing embouchure control start with the Mimosa Student or Red Label Intermediate and work up.

The Maker Every Chaparral Pro is handmade by Joseph Shalita — 35+ years as a professional orchestral oboist, graduate of the Peabody Conservatory and Mannes College of Music, trained by Joseph Turner (Principal Oboe, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra) and John Ferrillo (Principal Oboe, Boston Symphony Orchestra). Not a factory reed. Hand-scraped to specification.

Want to learn to make reeds like these? See the complete American long-scrape course at makingoboereeds.com.