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How to get the optimal Instrument

Author: cor anglais
Date: 2009-10-18 16:43

Dear all,

I would like to start a bit of a controversial topic but I am really keen of learning your thoughts:

We all know that the quality can vary significantly between instruments from one manufacturer.

So, if I want to buy eg, the best Loree oboe, how can I get this instrument? Should I
- drive to Paris
- buy at a good instrument shop
- or order an instrument specifically manufactured for me (eg, because of special keys or special wood)

The background of my question is:
- If I would be a manufacturer of oboes I would choose the best oboes I make and set them aside and sell them to the best professional oboe players and professors at academies. These players will advertise the quality of my instrumens for me and I need to give these key customers the best oboes I can possibly make.
- I as a non-professional oboist go the Loree and Paris and try 5 oboes. I might pick the best out of these 5 and be very happy because I think I chose the best one. However, 3 out of these 5 oboes possibly were sitting in the shop for a very prolonged period of time and the other 2 might just be ok instruments, clearly better than the other 3. How do I know that I really had access to 5 good instruments.
- Also, what happens to the 50% of Loree instruments which are not as good as the other 50%. Who buys them and where?
- Finally, shouldnt I buy an instrument tailored to my specific needs (eg, choosing cocbolo wood) and have Loree manufactured it directly for me? I might get a crappy instrument but I also might get the best instrument they made in years. If its really crappy I can probably make a case and give it back...

So, who buys the really good instruemtns and where and what happens to the 10% of the production which is really not as good as the rest. Who buys those?

Really interested to hear your thoughts

Cheers

A passionate Cor Anglais Player

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