 The Oboe BBoard
|
Author: WoodwindOz
Date: 2011-11-02 00:39
So I handed my oboe (Marigaux 901) to my professor the other day for adjustment, and he immediately remarked on it's weight (this from someone who has been playing for many decades and handled probably thousands of oboes). It is the heaviest oboe I have picked up to date, but my limit on handling oboes is mostly student instruments and a couple of Lorees. I personally like heavier instruments despite my size (tiny).
This is really just an observation and an opportunity for commentary. What are your experiences with oboe weights, and even your preferences?
Rachel
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: heckelmaniac
Date: 2011-11-02 02:56
The heaviest oboe I know of is the "German" model "Gordet" made by Hans Kreul, and voiced by Ben Storch. About the "darkest" sounding oboe extant.
Al the rage back in the late 1960's, this model oboe still has a loyal following
today. The key-work of the Kreul Gordet is the most overbuilt, over-engineered,
and toughest alloy of any oboe I know of. Also, players having huge hands seem to do well with this Kreul/Gordet. This model is also seen in the "Lucerne" German model, and (rarely) the "Kreul/Mirafone."
Kreul also made a "standard weight" oboe. Most (though not all) of the "Kreul/Mirafone" oboes will be the "standard weight" model. About the same weight as a late model Loree, standard model.
The "standard weight" Kreul is not nearly as "dark" sounding as the "heavy pattern" version.
On the other end of the scale, the lightest modern oboe I have ever played is the Decker Boxwood oboe. Almost seem to weigh nothing.
A joy to play. The Decker oboe has an "ethereal," lyrical," and "complex" sound.
However, the Boxwood oboe simply does not have the projection to be heard in a modern symphony orchestra.
I like the weight of the 1950s, 1960s and early 1970s Loree oboes.
Loree also made some oboes in the late 1960s (around the BV serial numbers)
that have a thicker wall diameter than usual. Heavy instruments, about the same weight as [say] a Chauvet BW series oboes, not quite as heavy as the German Kreul/Gordet. I surmise Loree made this heavier instrument in the late B series to address the [then] mania for the "darkest" sound possible.
I had a heavy German Kreul/Gordet oboe when I was young. Now, I find this sound to be simply far too dark for my taste. I think an oboe should have at least an element of "bright" to the sound.
Howarth now makes a light weight ("thin wall") model oboe called S6.
The S6 is decidedly lighter than the "standard" model S5 Howarth or the relatively heavy weight S5 XL model oboe. Though the S6 plays very well indeed, it is for sure "bright" in timbre in contrast to the other Howarth oboes, or a standard Loree oboe.
With best wishes,
Peter
Oboes.us
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: JRC
Date: 2011-11-02 13:10
The weight alone does not seem to dictate the type of sound an oboe produces. I have a 1967 Laubin top joint + 1940 something Gerard middle joint oboe that is rather light compare to most modern oboes. But produce rather dark sound appropriate for orchestra playing. Also feels small in my hand. I have a 1960 Rigoutat Classique open right top joint and covered middle joint. It was made that way for some reason. It is heavier and feels larger than the other one especially the left hand. It produces sweet and brighter sound that just encourages me to sing more musically. I would say that it is appropriate for solo and small chamber music setting.
I still think about that old Loree you once sent me to examine that came from one of Josef Marx's old student. That, I remember as noticeably small and light. I was not sure if it would fit in a standard oboe case. Unfortunately it was not in playing condition test its sound quality. I am very curious about its sound quality. Is there any chance that it is still around to test with? I would fix it up enough to see its quality. I am not John Symer level tech but I can fix an oboe well enough to make it play.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Wes
Date: 2011-11-03 18:31
Jerry Domer had one of those Decker boxwood oboes and played it well, but that was 10 or 15 years ago. Is Jerry still with us?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2011-11-04 01:19
As well as weight, balance also is something that will make an oboe feel light or heavy - a top heavy oboe will feel lighter than a bottom heavy oboe as the weight of the bell will make it feel like you're being pulled down with it.
My teacher's old Marigaux 901 is like that and it definitely feels considerably heavier than my Howarth - but as well as being top heavy, my Howarth is also kingwood so is noticeably lighter than an equivalent blackwood S5. Adding the LH C# key has changed the balance and now it's bottom heavy, but still a much lighter oboe in weight compared to a Marigaux 901.
A few years back I weighed several different makes and models of oboes and published my findings on here - I'll post a link as soon as I find the thread.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: oboi
Date: 2011-11-12 09:12
Are Marigaux 901's much heavier than 2001's? My 2001 feels way lighter than a Howarth XL. I nearly bought one but am sort of glad I didn't. Since I have a huge tendency of getting wrist pain, I really do not want something heavy or bulky (XL keywork is definitely more bulky). My Marigaux is apparently 1lb. 6 oz, according to the person who sold it to me. This is also something I ask about as I search for an EH.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
