• REVIEWS ARE LISTED ALPHABETICALLY BY LAST NAME

  • "I have been using Kyle Mustain's oboe staples since July 2021. I noticed an immediate improvement in the stability of the pitch of my reeds, especially in the upper register (2nd octave key notes). I tie my reeds slightly shorter as the opening of the staples are a bit bigger than the staples I had used before. My reeds seal beautifully and I will now use Kyle's staples exclusively. I highly recommend that oboists give them a try!"

    — Cynthia Koledo DeAlmeida, Principal Oboe, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra

  • "After trying Mustain staples I am using them exclusively. The left hand notes sit up effortlessly and every blank I tie seals like a drum. I’ve never had tighter sides on my finished reeds. I enthusiastically recommend these tubes!"

    —Jonathan Fischer, Principal Oboe, Houston Symphony Orchestra

  • “Over the years I have tried nearly every oboe staple available, and I found that there was always a compromise to navigate - tie length/shaper tip incompatibility, pitch tendencies, wild inconsistencies with mandrel fit, etc. Precision was not something I could find. After trying Kyle Mustain’s M and M* staples, my search for the “perfect” staple has finally come to an end! I’m thrilled to have found a consistently precise and solidly-crafted staple that easily aligns with my gouge/shape and preferred tie length, and supports an end result that is smooth, even, warm, and stable in pitch (yet vocally flexible). I was so excited about these staples that I managed to give away nearly all of my first order to students and colleagues, who are also finding them to be unparalleled in quality and design."

    — Erin Hannigan, Principal Oboe, Dallas Symphony Orchestra

  • “After years of reedmaking, I've come to realize the importance of a good staple. Along with gouge, shape, and cane quality, the staple is a key variable. The Mustain staples are more consistent than virtually any others that I have tried. And with their innovative design, they offer more stability, both in pitch and tone, throughout the range. I would enthusiastically recommend them."

    — Marty Hébert, Principal Oboe, Oregon Symphony Orchestra

  • "The Mustain staple offers an excellent combination of vibration, geometric consistency and quality. It is a valuable new addition to the market and I am happy to recommend it."

    —Eugene Izotov, Principal Oboe, San Francisco Symphony

  • "The Mustain staples are my new go-to staple. They have stable pitch, excellent resonance and can even help a smallish gouge sound more robust. I heartily recommend."

    — Frank Rosenwein, Principal Oboe, Cleveland Orchestra

  • “I’m so pleased to be using Kyle Mustain’s M* staples. They are a wonderful match for my preferred shaper tip and tie length, producing a reliably resonant and stable result. In my opinion the staples are beautifully made, extremely consistent, and have an excellent elliptical-shaped opening. I strongly recommend.”

    —Nicholas Stovall, Principal Oboe, National Symphony Orchestra