 The Oboe BBoard
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Author: Oboelips
Date: 2014-09-12 00:03
Hi, I'm asking for my orchestra section-mate--what's the current opinion on a Fox 450 oboe?
She currently has & uses her student oboe-- a very good "eighties" Fox, all plastic, (with left F, and I think low Bb too) which works well, but now at the adult level, she needs to upgrade when it's possible.
She is a serious amateur--some paid gigs, some free. 2nd Chair in Comm. Orchestra, occasionally providing co-principal relief. Last year did Oboe 1 for Prokofiev's "Cinderella" ballet, and managed it well on her current Fox.
I understand the 450 to have a plastic top joint, the rest wood.
A day-long road trip (there & back) might be needed to try this out, so I'd like for her to have some other info.
Has anyone out there played one?
Oboefully,
Deb
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Author: oboesage
Date: 2014-09-12 03:45
Deb,
With the Fox 450 now selling at a bit over 6K I would recommend the Bulgheroni Opera instead for about the same price. They use 15 year old wood and are fantastic for the price. They are somewhat darker than the 450 and have a better scale and pitch. WWBW will send you one out for around 6,500. It has LF and all the other essentials. Its the best deal out there IMHO.
All the Best,
G
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Author: WoodwindOz
Date: 2014-09-12 13:21
I tried one about 18 months ago. I was extremely impressed. I actually preferred the 450 to the 800 series (at least, the particular ones Fox had there).
If she does outdoor and pit gigs, it would be an ideal oboe. But if she has $6000 to spend on a new oboe and spends most of her time indoors, she would probably be better off with a used professional instrument in good condition. Peter Hurd or Hannah Selznik could definitely help out with that. This is the direction I took (used, barely played Marigaux 901) and I have never regretted it. It would certainly be worth investigating as a option if she does have the money to spend.
Rachel
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