Crafting the Sound of Excellence — Since 1963

The story of Gonzalez Reeds begins in 1963, when the Symphonic Orchestra of the National University of Cuyo brought some of the finest musicians from Argentina and around the world to Mendoza. The orchestra quickly became one of the most prestigious in the country, sparking the creation of one of South America's top music schools.

Among those musicians was Juan José González, who joined as Principal Oboist and later became Head of the Oboe Department at the university’s music school. Shortly after arriving in Mendoza, Juan José became fascinated by the Arundo Donax cane growing wild in the plains at the foot of the Andes. He began a lifelong study of the cane’s characteristics—unaware that his early experiments would one day shape the global reed industry.

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In 1983, Juan José and his son Juan Pablo González founded Argendonax SRL, originally to cultivate Arundo Donax and supply it to international reed makers. By 1995, after years of research and development, the company launched its first finished product under the brand Zonda—a line of reeds that quickly gained a reputation for exceptional sound and craftsmanship.

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In 2000, the company introduced the FOF (For Our Friends) Clarinet reeds, officially debuting the Gonzalez brand at the New Orleans ClarinetFest. The brand quickly became synonymous with prestige, precision, and performance.

As demand grew, Eduardo Davolos, Juan Pablo’s cousin, joined the company in 2002, bringing expertise in marketing and branding that helped elevate Gonzalez Reeds to a global stage.

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Today, Gonzalez Reeds operates four organic, eco-sustainable plantations in Mendoza, totaling 42 hectares. Under the leadership of Agricultural Engineer Pablo Nacaratto, the company has set new standards in high-yield organic farming. All cane is grown using only natural fertilizers (like worm humus and goat manure), with no chemical pesticides or herbicides. The combination of Mendoza’s sun-drenched climate and rich soils creates a unique cane known for its golden color and distinctive sound quality.

Harvested by hand during the winter frost—after completing its second growth cycle—each cane is carefully processed, sun-dried for 30 days, and rotated regularly to ensure a perfectly even finish.

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Our state-of-the-art production facility now produces up to 12,000 reeds per day, supplying musicians in over 30 countries. With a commitment to tradition, innovation, and quality, Gonzalez Reeds has become the third-largest reed manufacturer in the world—and a trusted name among musicians everywhere.

Now with a physical presence in the United States, we’re proud to strengthen our connection with woodwind players and specialized music stores across the country. As makers of some of the finest reeds in the world, our goal is to bring musicians even closer to the quality they trust—backed by fast, reliable shipping and exceptional customer service tailored specifically to the U.S. market.

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Explore Our Reeds

Clarinet Reeds

Saxophone Reeds