 The Oboe BBoard
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Author: mjfoboe
Date: 2014-05-29 18:38
Hi,
I am in the market for a second Oboe.
I heard good things about the Howarth Oboes:
Howarth S50C
Howarth XL
Any players/repairmen out there who can share their experience with these instruments.
In the past I have owned a Fox, Fossati Tiery, Loree, and presently a Marigaux 901.
How does the Howarth compare to a Loree and Marigaux?
Mark
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Author: cjwright
Date: 2014-05-29 20:16
I've played a Howarth for about four years now.
It has a rounder smoother sound than a Loree which doesn't give off the overtones that Loree does in a big hall, but is easier to blend and in my opinion is a great compromise.
It has more edge and focus that what I get out of a Marigaux.
I would also say there's more flexibility in the bore than a Marigaux, and is a hair higher pitched than both.
My next instrument will be a Howarth XM. I loved it when I tried it and can't get it out of my head.
The bore is slightly bigger and feels more free blowing than both Loree and Marigaux. Slurs downward are just much easier on Howarth than Loree (like a high D to low A slur).
I've played Hinicker, Royal, Regular bore Loree, and fox for extended periods of time. Howarth is the one that I'm most comfortable on now.
Blog, An Oboe In Paradise
Solo Oboe, Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2014-05-29 20:55
As a former finisher for Howarth (and player) I can't really give any unbiased views - your best bet is to try them all out and compare them with other makes and models.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2014-05-29 20:57)
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Author: oboeandy
Date: 2014-05-30 21:07
I have a university student who plays a Howarth S50C. Its general pitch level is much, much higher than other models of oboe with which I'm familiar. You say you're looking for a "second" oboe -- if you mean you're looking for a back-up to another brand, you may have to make different reeds for the Howarth and your main oboe.
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Author: mjfoboe
Date: 2014-05-30 21:58
Interesting,
My Marigaux pitch level is on the low side.
Mark
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Author: Beetlebum
Date: 2014-05-31 07:03
My teacher (symphony pro) occasionally gives one of her reeds and it plays perfectly on my XL. She plays and tests her reeds on her Loree Royale.
My XL plays perfectly in tune, better than any oboe I've had. Now my teacher wants one.
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Author: Oboe Craig
Date: 2014-05-31 08:07
I tried many oboes at IDRS a couple years ago and I think you have many great choices.
Here is a sample of the sound I get on amy most recent Covey oboe.
I love it, but since Paul Covey died I wonder where my next oboe will come from.
His shop still makes them and very well indeed, but production is lower than in years past.
The Howarth oboes I tried at IDRS and the ones I got to play by swapping instruments in music reading sessions has it high on my list. They were wonderful.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-HfuALrjv4
-Craig
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Author: rgombine
Date: 2014-06-05 02:44
I can't comment on the Marigaux. However, I can't say enough great things about my Howarth XL. Previously played on Loree for many years, then a Yamaha professional model for about 4. My loree is pretty old (1983 GT) so may not be a fair comparison, but Howarth is just overall MUCH easier to play -- projects well, even scale, much more forgiving of reeds. All with much less effort than it takes to accomplish these things on my Loree.
Hope that's helpful.
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Author: oboi
Date: 2014-06-05 11:45
Side by side, I can definitely hear a huge difference between the Marigaux and Howarth. The Howarth XL has a very singing and lush 2nd octave, which I find lacking in the Marigaux 2001. The Marigaux has a very commanding and dark presence in the 1st octave, which I find lacking in the Howarth. So I suppose it depends on what type of sound you want. Maybe having both means you get the best of both worlds, ha!  Yes, in terms of keywork, I can't get around the clunkiness and how much heavier the Howarth is. Weight is a major factor for me. I really like the RH pinky key cluster in the Marigaux 2001. I don't know if there is much of a pitch difference. When I play my 2001 and my teacher's XL, I overall don't hear a huge pitch difference. I'd recommend both instruments, although I don't ever see myself getting an XL (due to my issues with instrument weight).
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Author: LH
Date: 2014-06-08 14:14
Hi Mark,
I'm new to the bboard, but I could not resist replying to your post. I do not play the oboe professionally, but am a very enthusiastic amateur. I live in The Netherlands.
I've tried 5 Howarth s50c's, one of those for two weeks, together with a used (8 years old) Marigaux 901. I used to play on a 20year old Loree, but that did not work for me.
All s50c oboes were extremely freeblowing, very well and even in tune. Furthermore, they are light and comfortable to handle, have solid keywork and are really affordable (compared to other new instruments).
Ultimately, I decided to buy the Marigaux. Why? Firstly because the Marigaux was just phenomenal (in my opinion). Without it, I would probably have been happy to buy the s50c.
The only downside for me to the s50c oboes: they all sounded more or less like a student oboe, as compared to my Loree and Marigaux. Furthermore they tended to be a bit bright. However for me as an amateur, nothing a change in reeds would not have overcome.
My teacher playes a Howarth XL. It has an amazing sound with a fantastic projection. She let me try it a couple times and it was a joy to play: freeblowing, extremely in tune and beautiful complex sound. However, at this moment I do prefer my Marigaux.
If I'm ever to replace my Marigaux, I'm sure to try Howarth again!
Hope my opinion helped.
Regards,
LH
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