About us

Edmund Nielsen Woodwinds is one of the most respected, well-established double reed stores in existence. It was started in 1949 by Edmund Nielsen, and operated in downtown Chicago for many years. Edmund Nielsen was a highly esteemed repairman, and his wife Dorothy kept track of the books, the inventory, and the sales.

The shop specialized in oboe repair, along with the sale of oboes and double reed accessories. Their daughter Barbara joined the business as well. When Edmund passed away, the focus became accessories and bassoon bocals, and eventually the store moved to Villa Park, Illinois.

In 2015, Barbara sold the business to Robert Mueller and his wife Theresa Delaplain, who continue to honor the Nielsen family-run business tradition in their hometown of Fayetteville, Arkansas, with daughter Erica working as Office Manager/Creative Director. Today Nielsen is still the place where discerning oboists and bassoonists look to for reeds, reed-making supplies, accessories, and bocals!