 The Oboe BBoard
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2024-05-17 19:16
https://www.howarthlondon.com/product/compact-zip-oboe-case-with-cover/
Out of curiosity and out of my own pocket, I just bought a Howarth branded Protec compact oboe case including cover for the very reasonable cost of £87 and can thoroughly recommend one if you want a very small case with all the joints separated and loads of room for the essentials in the case compartment itself.
The case on its own is small enough to be slipped into any bag or an existing case cover lid pocket (if you're doubling and only have two hands to carry all your stuff) or if you prefer to use it with its own case cover, there's a generous bellows-sided pocket on the lid to keep all manner of oboe related paraphernalia in there.
The case doesn't have a handle, but the cover itself has both side and end handles, comes supplied with a shoulder strap and a name/address tag. It has three metal feet on the back so it can be stood up without damaging the back.
The joints all fit with their tenon covers which will keep the fabric lining clean where the tenons go and there's plenty of room for the keywork, although the tip of the side G# touch is very close to the outer edge and the zip, although that depends on the length of the side G# key and how far it goes beyond the tenon.
The only minor issue I found with it is the section for the top joint which could do with a longer recess for the thumbplate if you play a thumbplate or dual system oboe, so it will hold the thumbplate down to some degree or other, thus lowering or closing the top joint Bb and C keys so the toneholes won't be allowed to fully air if closed (althought hat's normal on conservatoire systems). There is no provision for the LH thumb key on a Prestini system top joint (and the corresponding linkage on the lower joint if it's longer than the socket), but the lining is soft enough to deform and there's enough space in the lid so none of the keywork is going to be compressed.
On first impressions, I'll score it a strong 9.8 out of a possible 10. Maybe in time they'll extend the recess in the top joint section to accommodate thumbplates to make them just that little bit more universal.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2024-05-17 23:21)
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Protec Compact Oboe Cases ... new |
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Chris P |
2024-05-17 19:16 |
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EaubeauHorn |
2024-05-21 00:22 |
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The Clarinet Pages
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