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Doublereed Archive - Posting 000074.txt from 2007/03
From: PhilFrei@-----.com
Subj: [DR-L] Old Rigatout English Horn
Date: Mon, 12 Mar 2007 01:58:39 -0400
I'm looking at a very good price for a "vintage" Rigatout English Horn. It's
from the middle 1950's. No left F, but that doesn't bother me so much as I am
able to cleanly go back and forth between E and forked F without too much
trouble, at least at moderate tempos. I understand this key can always be added by
a good tech.
It seems to have a pretty rich tone, plays freely from low B to third octave
F. (I'm working a bit to get the 3rd F# out, and the third octave G doesn't
seem to be the same fingering as the third octave oboe. Maybe it just doesn't
work on this horn.) The G's seems slightly sharp but putting a little tissue as
a temporary measure so that the F# key rests less high fixes that. (Some cork
can replace my temp fix.) The C seems slightly sharp, but perhaps that can be
fixed with a little wax in the tone hole? I'm not sure how those things are
dealt with. Other notes seem to be well-tuned. Maybe the D# E interval is a
touch wide?
I have to admit, I am using a very old Duste reed, and a couple reeds from a
single lesson with Janet Popesco three or four years ago that haven't been
played in the interval. And my level of playing is such that I am unable to tell
any difference between the two supplied bocals despite their differing lengths.
A new plastic Fox would cost a little more (been unable to locate one to try
out), and this instrument is a couple grand less than the used Loree's I've
seen (but never tried because of the cost).
I don't have a lot of EH experience, and frankly am buying it so as not to
have to turn down 2nd Oboe/EH local gigs. But after playing this instrument for
a few days (I have it on trial) I could really see falling in love with EH
(perhaps this is why I've been avoiding it), even though my main artistic goals
involve the oboe.
Any thoughts on the Rigatout EH tone versus Loree? I know there is a strong
preference for Loree oboes in the U.S., but I was thinking maybe there is more
latitude in choices for EH. Do the minor pitch problems I mentioned sound like
deal-killers? (Please do not mis-understand, I would not attempt to play a
gig with an out-of-tune horn. I mean to ask: can the small pitch problems I
mentioned be fixed at a reasonable rate?)
I do like the richness of this instrument's tone, and it's one of the few
opportunities that is within my budgetary means. I'm also finding myself
reluctant to put it down after I start playing it which is generally a good sign.
I do plan to try and get a new or used Loree in hand for direct comparison in
the next couple days.
Thanks for advice and feedback in advance,
Phil Freihofner
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