 The Oboe BBoard
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Author: annev
Date: 2015-03-31 18:12
Hello,
I'm a clarinet player that has had a chance to do some exploring with oboe. I'm really enjoying the oboe (!) and since I have a borrowed student instrument, I'm looking to buy a (better) second hand one of my own. I've gained a lot of information by searching on this board, and through some of the links, such as Peter Hurd's website. What a terrific resource - thank you!
My oboe teacher has recommended that I find an instrument with full conservatory key work and which I can grow into for the long term (a professional level oboe, if possible) but didn't like to recommend specific brands or models, since her experience has been mostly with Loree. I'm not able to afford a new professional level oboe, but I've had good success with older professional clarinets, and thought that might be a possible option for oboes. So, some things I'm wondering about:
Has oboe technology changed within the last century? Are there "better" decades then others for oboes? (For example, with clarinets, I'd recommend an instrument from the 1960s onward, because the bore technology has changed).
Are there particular brands/models, of older, professional oboes, that you might recommend?
Would you know of reputable places in Canada that offer second hand oboes? (Our dollar is really taking a beating, so US prices are high).
Thanks so much!
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Author: veggiemusician
Date: 2015-03-31 21:26
For a clarinettist I'd recommend a thumbplate system as the full conservatory oboe will be too alien for you. On a clarinet going from low C D E to F# would be the same fingering on the oboe going from a G A B to C. To get a C on a conservatory instrument would be like fingering an E with first finger right hand down...
Jerome Broun
Principal Oboe UAE NSO Symphony Orchestra
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Author: oboi
Date: 2015-03-31 22:11
Being in Canada, I doubt there will be anyone who has experience with the thumbplate system nor will you find any for sale. Unless it will be no issue for the instructor, I would stick with conservatoire.
Second-hand choices will be challenging, and you might be better off asking through word-of-mouth. Does your teacher know other oboists and can inquire whether there are any colleages/students that are selling? I think this would be more successful when searching for pro instruments. As far as stores, you could try Veraquin (Montreal, Ottawa) or Gary Armstrong (Toronto) and see if there are any pro oboes kicking about. Might be a way for you to try different brands as well if they have any in stock. St. John's Music might have Yamahas to try, but I don't know if they have used instruments. Northwest .... (oops, they seem to be bought by Long & McQuade)... they used to sell oboes (dunno used).
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Author: GoldenBoy
Date: 2015-04-02 10:18
Vintage Lorees from the 60s and early 70s (B and C series) are considered by many to be some of the best oboes ever produced as are Laubins from around the same time or even a bit earlier, however they may not be the right thing for someone just getting started on the oboe. Then again if you like the clarinets from that time, an oboe to match might be exactly what you want, as it will match in tonal concept and scale. Just keep in mind that oboe has a much more complex mechanism that is more susceptible to problems due to age, and a much smaller bore that is more adversely affected by changes that can occur over the years. I have had repair techs flat out refuse to do work on my vintage Lorees because they're a pain to fix unless meticulously maintained. Definitely have a qualified oboist play-test any vintage instrument before you buy it.
A few keys have been added to oboes over the years, but they are mainly keys that make life very slightly easier, and not something you'd miss desperately. (Just make sure you get an oboe with a left-F, which you would indeed miss.)
Mostly the way oboes have evolved is in exactly the same way clarinets have, so your experience will translate well. Tonal concept has moved generally towards a rounder, mellow, never-even-remotely-ugly tone that is the same across all registers, and scaling has moved closer to equal temperament, rather than a "spread" scale where the low register rides a little low and the high notes sing a bit high.
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Author: annev
Date: 2015-04-06 19:07
Thank you very much for your thoughts and suggestions. I hadn't thought about the idea that an oboe from the early 70s might match the tonal concept I have with my clarinets. I recently had a chance to try a Buffet oboe from the late 1960s and while it had the split D ring mechanism, it didn't have a left hand F (which I agree is essential and is the main reason I'd like to move on from my borrowed student oboe). At what point (decade) do most oboes have full conservatory key work?
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Author: wkleung
Date: 2015-04-07 15:11
Buffet oboes from the 60s have, for me, the most beautiful tone. Was the one you tried in good condition? I would love to get it if it is offered at a good price ...
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Author: annev
Date: 2015-04-07 17:01
The Buffet oboe belongs to my clarinet teacher. It thought it had a very sweet sound, and with some work (it needs to be sent out) would probably be quite beautiful. Unfortunately it's not for sale. (And for some reason doesn't have a left F!).
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2015-04-07 19:56
The LH F key seemed to be fitted as standard since the '80s and was sporadic before that - for some reason it wasn't always fitted to every otherwise full Gillet conservatoire system oboe before then.
So often I see older full Gillet conservatoire Howarth S5s, Lorees, Marigauxes (sp?) and other big names on eBay without the LH F key which is a shame, but it can always be fitted.
Similarly with the 3rd 8ve key - not every pro level oboe had them fitted as standard until more recently.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: wkleung
Date: 2015-04-08 19:01
Left F was not standard on Buffet before the 80s. In fact, it is not part of the full conservatoire system - Gillet didn't want a left F on the oboe.
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