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Doublereed Archive - Posting 000069.txt from 2003/03

From: Luis de la Torre <l_delatorre2000@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [DR-L] Quote of the day etc.
Date: Sat, 8 Mar 2003 12:53:53 -0500

(The absolute best oboe was one
from the small Japanese company 'Josef' but there were
quite a few
fantastic instruments.

I noticed a Josef oboe for sale at oboeworks.com,
never having heard of them before and their website
has some very interesting looking instruments. The
oboe was pricey (6300) but had gold keys, so I guess
the price compares to a Loree Royale with gold keys,
not unbelievably expensive. Anyway, has anyone tried
any of these bizarre looking instruments with their
redesigned bells and reed wells? I've been wondering
about how much this really changes the sound. There
are pictures at www.josef-oboe.com

Also, something else I've been really thinking about:
in the search for a new oboe one retailer commented to
me that because I am moving Arizona a plastic top
joint would be a good option. I asked her what the
difference in sound would be, and she said there
really is none. I find it hard to believe simply
because there is a difference between rosewood and
grenadilla instruments of the same make and model, so
shouldn't plastic also make a difference? Anyway, she
said that there is no disadvantage to it and if you
gave a professional a pile of lorees, some with
plastic top joints and some with grenadilla, they
wouldn't be able to discern which was which from
playing them. What does everyone think about this?
Sounds nice to have an instrument that won't be as
tempermental when it comes to the environment, and
also no break-in period, but is there really a
difference in sound?