Author: heckelmaniac
Date: 2010-07-10 08:02
Tom has an astonishing inventory of wood and materials to make oboes from, and eventually oboes d'amore, bass oboes, and perhaps English horns:
Rosewoods: Cocobolo from 1930s, Honduran, Kingwood ("Violetwood"),
Brazilian, Madagascar ("Palissander"); Grenadilla (much from the 1960s),
Pink Ivory, and cast Acrylic. Tom had only enough museum quality Snakewood to make 4 instruments- all this has been spoken for as far as I know. Tom will make one oboe d'amore of Snakewood, also spoken for. The Snakewood has a timbre I have never heard from any other oboe of any other material. Snakewood is harder, denser than Grenadilla.
Though the wait list is ever and rapidly expanding, due to the state of the economy, some have asked to delay delivery, or simply asked to be taken off the list. Tom does not ask for a deposit for oboists joining the wait list.
It is advisable if possible to have in mind what material you wish to have when you place your name on the wait list. I seem to recall placing the order for the Snakewood oboe about 4 years ago or so. Fortunately, the wood was already aged for 15-20 years. Tom accomplished the turning and machining the Snakewood in very small increments, sealing the wood and setting it aside for months before the next operation. The care and attention to detail Tom puts into his instruments is beyond astonishing, beyond amazing.
My friend Anne Krabill, former principal oboe, Halifax, now principal of the Northwest Symphony, still has the two very fine Al Laubin oboes (Blackwood, Rosewood) she played for years until she purchased a Hiniker oboe.
Now Anne's saying is "Why would anyone with half a brain play on anything other than a Hiniker."
The wait is well worth it. You will not be disappointed. A new Hiniker oboe is as Cooper says is now between $7000 and $8000, possibly a little more depending on keywork and plating. However, in my estimation, the Hiniker oboe is in a class by itself, priceless. I have had about 4 second hand Hiniker oboes for sale over the past few years- all sold for nearly the same price as new.
With best wishes,
Peter
Oboes.us
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