Abstract: A machine for duplicating musical reeds comprises a force sensor supporting a drill bit, which acts both as a measuring contact, when stationary, or as a tool for removing material from the surface of a reed, when rotated. A flexural resistance map of a master reed, having desirable musical characteristics, is made initially, by moving the drill bit toward the reed surface a predetermined distance after initial contact is made, and storing the resultant reaction force in a computer. The master reed is then replaced with a new reed, at least as stiff as the master, and the process is repeated, comparing the readings with corresponding readings for the master. Where the reed is too stiff, material is removed from its surface by the drill bit; this is repeated over the entire reed surface, until the flexural resistance map of the new reed matches that of the master.