Author: heckelmaniac
Date: 2015-07-07 02:19
Cracks that transit all the way through to the bore can effect the sound of an oboe. Often the sound will be "duller" post-crack than "pre-crack."
A well repaired crack that does not transit through to the bore should not be much a concern when purchasing an oboe, though cracks running through multiple tone holes could be cause for setting an instrument aside.
Warming up a wood oboe instrument under arm, under jacket, shirt, sweater, vertically in line with your body, EVERY time before playing for five minutes is a MUST !
And treating the bore with "Woodwind All" (available from Cascio Interstate Music or the maker, Chem-pak) truly helps prevent cracking and also nearly completely eliminates the possibility of "gurgling" in the octave vents, and the riser vents for C (B#) and Bb (A#) on the upper joint. Applying "Woodwind All" is truly a simple procedure.
With respect to "dark" sounding oboes, in my experience, the Kreul/Gordet "heavy" wall ("heavy pattern," "heavy weight") is still the "darkest" sounding oboe ever made. I usually have a bunch lying about, though far too "dark" a sound for my own preference. The Kreul/Gordet is an extremely "forgiving" instrument. It is difficult to play a "bad note" on Kreul oboes- they "lock in" on pitch centers without much effort at all. And it is much easier to make a reed for a Kreul oboe than almost any other I can think of...
With best wishes,
Peter
Oboes.us
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