Author: jhoyla
Date: 2008-11-06 05:46
Hi Chuck, great question!
Given the current economic climate in the USA right now, it may be worth your while to wait for 6 months to a year, keeping your eyes open for a great second-hand bargain (horrible thing to say, I know). Take your time.
When something catches your eye, you MUST take the instrument for a trial. Buy and play-in a pro reed, and then play your prospect for at least a week in your home setting (two weeks is better), then ask yourself the following:
1. does it play in tune?
By this, I mean the INSTRUMENT, not you. The key notes to check are low D, low C# (if this is flat it will never play in tune without serious bore work or a replacement bell), top-space E and top line F#, top B and C. Oh, and all the other notes as well :-) Use full support and open embouchure, and think of "low D" when you play each note. If these notes do not hit within 5 cents of true without correction, you may have a problem instrument.
2. Is there any serious bore damage?
This can be either from badly wielded mops or extremely acidic saliva, or just poor-quality wood. If a pull-through got stuck and was then removed through the reed-well, there will be damage in the bottom of the well. Look for cracks, though a well-repaired crack can be a blessing in disguise. If the plating has flaked from a key this is almost never a problem, and it can reduce the price significantly (same goes for resale value, BTW).
3. Does it seal perfectly?
A vacuum test should hold for more than 8 seconds on each of the main joints, or you will be struggling on low notes. My 2-yr old Loree seals for more than 30 seconds on each joint, though YMMV. [Assuming you are buying from a reputable dealer (any of those already mentioned) the instrument should arrive in perfect adjustment.]
4. Does it sound open, clean, resonant?
Some of the cheaper oboes with no undercutting can sound dreadfully thin. Check for even tone, volume and response on every note.
5. And finally - can you love and cherish this oboe?
This is possibly the most important question. The oboe will become an extension of you. If you are fighting it all the time, complaining about everything it does, you will never love it and you will not progress. Your heart should lift every time you open the case!
Good luck,
J.
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